Asfir vs Metalcloak

[rezar1]

Having a hard time deciding between skid systems from Asfir and Metalcloak. Asfir is cheaper but MC seems steadier and maybe better put together? what do you all think?

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[Zero_Accel]

Well it's aluminum VS. steel regarding Asfir vs Metal cloak. Aluminum is quite a bit softer than steel, and can actually deform on rocks and "make you stick to them, rather than sliding off". BUT steel is heavier, there's the weight penalties (flotation on sand and mud, fuel mileage, etc.) , and usually steel will rust if you don't touch up the scrape marks (metalcloak says the zinc finish means that you won't need to do that). I've heard good things from both systems, so it's up to you whether you want the stronger steel at the $500 premium.

May I suggest an alternative? Motobuilt has a full skit system for $1050 right now on black Friday deals...

Their kit offers frame to frame coverage for the same price as Asfir. You are losing out on the diff covers though. And it will need to be painted/powder coated since it's raw, but you can pick the color powder coat, or even paint it yourself if you want. But after paint, it will be similar to the metalcloak system price, and will need touch ups when scratched.

 

[jeepers29]

Zero is spot on as far as the differences. I would say it also depends on how you plan to use your Glady. If just overlanding, I would go with Asfir for the weight savings. If you will be in the rocks a lot, go steel. I have the rockhard steel on my JKUR but will be going Asfir on the glady. 2 differnt uses for 2 differnt rigs.

 

[rezar1]

Thank you both. I will take a look at Motobuil. It looks solid.

 

[Artec]

There are alot of bellypans on the market. As well as alot of bad information on alumunum being bad. We have our skids on alot of Industry leaders builds Like Fox Racing, Rockstar Garage, Casey Currie, BFG, Dana/Spicer, Factor55, RK suspension. If Aluminum was not a good option those guys wouldn't run it or stand behind it ! Our .02 is When you are looking at Aluminum Skids you really need to look at the grade of materials that are used. It will factor into cost of kits as some grades are cheaper than others. Same as the surface density can be not as hard . A lot of companies on the market use 5052 Aluminum that is softer which gives aluminum skids a bad rep for gulling up on rocks. Where at Artec we use a 6061 T6 which is a denser aluminum with a surface hardness that is almost equal to your 1018 steel which most Steel bellypans are made from. So with the 6061 So you get the light weight of and flexibility of aluminum that will flex when hitting a rock or ledge and it will go back to its natural shape with a slicker surface than steel. When looking at skids you also have to look at fitment and finish anything that hangs down (conical washers panel gaps, hardware for catch points) Are all of the brackets coated or plated or raw steel ? If the brackets are Raw they would need to be finished before the install is done that will add cost to the install ? Those are all great things to weigh out when looking at belly pan systems. We have even tried steel skids in the past when R&Ding the JK/JL lines We chose to not go with them due to the weight and constant upkeep for steel. If the steel is coated or painted once it get scratched that coating is compromised and corrosion will soon follow . The aluminum just held up better once that steel dents it'll leave you with a catch point to hang on. I can grab some pictures of our aluminum skids that have seen years abuse from AZ, CO, CA and Utah to show how well Aluminum holds up if you would like. I've been into Offroading and rock crawling for 20 Years I was once a person who thought Steel skids are the only way to go and very skeptical about aluminum until using our products for a few years and Now I and a firm believer that the 6061 skids are superior to steel skids. Dont get be wrong Steel has its place on a vehicle (ie sliders) but Aluminum is the way to go.

 

[Zero_Accel]

Thank you both. I will take a look at Motobuil. It looks solid.

So just curious, what did you end up deciding on?

 

[rezar1]

So just curious, what did you end up deciding on?

I haven't made the purchase. Artec is nice but too expensive compared to others. I can technically get 2 Asfir for 1 Artec.

I wanted to move forward with Metalcloak but they never responded to my message. I also liked the Motobilt one since it covers so much but it's super heavy (240lbs).

 

[545moose]

I haven't made the purchase. Artec is nice but too expensive compared to others. I can technically get 2 Asfir for 1 Artec.

I wanted to move forward with Metalcloak but they never responded to my message. I also liked the Motobilt one since it covers so much but it's super heavy (240lbs).

The cost is painful right now. Steel is heavy af but if you’re not rock crawling save some weight and go aluminum. I wish RCI would hurry up and make some for this truck. They make great skids. I’m going to tryand get some used ones on until next Fall’s sale at Motobilt?

 

[XraytecH]

Take a look at Quadratec...

https://www.quadratec.com/search/qu...[0]=sm_field_category_multi:taxonomy_term:148

 

[RockJeep98]

The cost is painful right now. Steel is heavy af but if you’re not rock crawling save some weight and go aluminum. I wish RCI would hurry up and make some for this truck. They make great skids. I’m going to tryand get some used ones on until next Fall’s sale at Motobilt?

These cover a ton of area.

 

[545moose]

These cover a ton of area.

powdercoated ASFIR?

 

[RockJeep98]

No these are MotoBilt with black steel-it for paint

 

[Lunentucker]

Somewhere in these forums there's a member who used this with the UHMW option. Having seen UHMW in use in industry and personally using for some small projects myself, I can tell you it's amazing material and crazy slick, which could benefit a skid plate system trying to slide over rocks and other obstacles.

https://nextventuremotorsports.com/products/gladiator-aluminum-belly-skids

 

[545moose]

Somewhere in these forums there's a member who used this with the UHMW option. Having seen UHMW in use in industry and personally using for some small projects myself, I can tell you it's amazing material and crazy slick, which could benefit a skid plate system trying to slide over rocks and other obstacles.

https://nextventuremotorsports.com/products/gladiator-aluminum-belly-skids

Yeah that's the top tier wishlist choice lol, Motobilt is the closer 2nd

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