What does everyone think about the THOR parts UCP plates?

[supersapper-rpm]

I'm thinking about adding these to my UCP. Especially after a couple days ago I backed up while wheelin and got a stick/log stuck in my UCP that could've caused some damage (and was really hard to get out). Also I'm going to need my Hunner skids welded on anyway-so maybe two birds with one stone? Your opinions would be appreciated.....Here is a little bit from the site: These plates give you added strength & protection when installed on your GM UCP kit. Each is perfectly sized, laser-cut from 3/16" steel, and left raw. Drain slots insure that mud and rocks can be flushed off the top side without the hassle of dropping your skids.

Requires welding and the finish of your choice (paint or bed-liner).


$70.00 (plus shipping)

 

[M22KLARS]

Well worth the $70. I don't have these but others have added their own pieces to the OEM UCP for protection. Ask Alrock about his...

 

[Bigunit]

I agree they are a good product and something that I have been meaning to get. The dirt/mud that will accumulate (you will need to keep them clear), added weight and loss of another 1/4" of clearance really are the only downsides that I see but the added protection would make it a worthwhile tradeoff IMHO.

But if you want something special for added UCP protection, you really should consider the Alrock alternative! It's a one-off work of art!

 

[jmoffatt]

I agree they are a good product and something that I have been meaning to get. The dirt/mud that will accumulate (you will need to keep them clear), added weight and loss of another 1/4" of clearance really are the only downsides that I see but the added protection would make it a worthwhile tradeoff IMHO.

But if you want something special for added UCP protection, you really should consider the Alrock alternative! It's a one-off work of art!

Alright, my curiosity is peaked! ????

 

[Bigunit]

Ok jmoffat, you called me on that one! Now, I have to come clean and disclose that once you see Alrock's UCP mod....let's see, how can I say this...it may not live up to the hype...but I'll let you decide. But I will say this, it is very effective & there is a back story for what/why he did what he did! I'll leave it at that and let Alrock take it from there.

 

[alrock]

Well, I validated a need for extra protection on the UCP after doing the Sunflower Mine trail here. A little (big :swear: pointy rock) found its way between the crossbars of the UCP resulting in this. I only drove about 100 miles with this transfer case bone dry of oil as I didn't realize what had happened.

So, on my next trip to Moab I went to the now defunct "The Shop" and had them weld on my front skids by Hunner. (My leaf spring mounts were so deformed they had to bend the Hunner skids). I saw a stack of garbage, I mean scrap metal, and asked if they wouldn't mind reinforcing the UCP on the truck. They found a piece of leaf spring, cut it to size and welded it on. (Some have said spring steel doesn't weld well but this stuff has taken a beating and survived). So, my artful repair was a piece of scrap welded on by some hacks. Redneck Repair 101.

I've since had a piece welded on the other side as well - also by a hack shop, also a piece of scrap.

Here's the end result. As you can see, a lot of time and effort went into the details - measuring, cutting, grinding the welds - to create a product that is both strong and beautiful.

If I had the chance to get the THORparts skids, I'd probably do it. Here's my personal take on it.

Pros:
Not redneck
Strengthens the UCP (I've had my UCP deformed by 3" from center to end)
Stops giant gaping holes in transfer cases
Good price
Great vendor

Cons:
Even with holes more mud will accumulate up there (if you are doing mud)
That 1/4" matters. The H3Ts already get high centered fairly easily in Moab, this increases those chances.

If I had the opportunity I probably would have done this but I did my redneck fix before this part was available.

 

[f5moab]

Actually Alex, your redneck repair, although as not as good looking, is actually more practical. Better airflow, and the mud, rocks will fall out a lot eaiser and since the added pieces are thinner than the (fore/aft) runners, no clearance is lost. An it could be done to the BA undercarriage too.

I may take these photos and go up there someday and see if the new set of Rednecks that took over can do the job.

 

[TrailBreaker]

I do have the THORparts UCP additions, and yes while the 3/16" reduction in ground clearance may be a hinderance in some spots. I feel the added level of protection is well worth it, especially on the longer wheelbase of my T. I installed them just before my Moab trip last April, and there were a couple spots where I touched the rocks with them (read slammed the truck down hard on some rocks) and when the OE set would have an arch bent into them, mine stayed completely flat. I even had and instance where I had the entire weight of the truck resting on them, and they held up great.

There isnt alot of mud here in the western Carolina mountains, so the buildup wasnt too much of a concern for me.

 

[supersapper-rpm]

Thanks for the input guys! Trailbreaker got any pics of of them installed on your T?

 

[TrailBreaker]

Here ya go:

 

[alrock]

It was Trailbreaker's testimony to these products when we were in Moab which is what has helped me support them.

 

[06 H3]

I like that trailbreaker. It looks like it will actually "skid" across rocks better but at the expense of mud accumlation and the 1/4 of G.C. Looks like a great product though. I went alrocks route. I had scrap 1/4in steel laying around from another project. Cut it up broke out the welder and did it. This was one of my first little fab projects so my welds are not perfect but I smacked the thing on the rocks and not one weld broke yet. The thing is scraped to hell already. Here is a pic of it new when I did this during ROTM in June or july. I will do the other sides when I have some free time and it will probably look prettier then this one because I have some more experience now