Aluminum VS Steel.....
01-07-2012, 06:32 PM
#22
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Originally Posted by EzK
I'm no expert but I don't think a 1.5" solid aluminum control arm should be a large concern. I'd put money that the brackets would go before that does.
01-09-2012, 03:17 AM
#23
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Sounds like steel is the way to go. Does anyone have any specific experience with RK's aluminum lift or River Raider's armor? Is it the weaker or stronger of the two?
01-10-2012, 07:13 AM
#25
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Just Sayin' :)
Aluminum works great when properly designed. 
In fact our products work so well, that a few of our competitors have tried to copy our designs...
We designed our armor to be made from aluminum...which means it has to be a different thickness than a steel version, with different structural gusseting, and different mounting provisions. Our Billy Rockers for example are comprised of three layers that work together as a system to protect your rig. And have been proven on the most difficult trails in this great country.
We'll continue to prove our solutions and the value of designing for aluminum but for now here are two videos of us beating the life out of them. (Re-posted from the above linked thread)...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AScCg_Kl9wQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1N0bPddYws
Please note: If you goal is to protect your thirty thousand dollar rig from rocks than please choose a modern solution that has been designed from the ground up to do exactly that.
In fact our products work so well, that a few of our competitors have tried to copy our designs...
We designed our armor to be made from aluminum...which means it has to be a different thickness than a steel version, with different structural gusseting, and different mounting provisions. Our Billy Rockers for example are comprised of three layers that work together as a system to protect your rig. And have been proven on the most difficult trails in this great country.
We'll continue to prove our solutions and the value of designing for aluminum but for now here are two videos of us beating the life out of them. (Re-posted from the above linked thread)...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AScCg_Kl9wQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1N0bPddYws
Please note: If you goal is to protect your thirty thousand dollar rig from rocks than please choose a modern solution that has been designed from the ground up to do exactly that.
01-10-2012, 12:19 PM
#27
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01-10-2012, 12:32 PM
#28
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Thanks....that's a start. What would or do they weigh in steel? What about the lift, fenders, wheels, bumpers, that the original OP was enquiring about? What are the numbers that other members have come in with?
Thanks,
Thanks,
01-10-2012, 12:41 PM
#29
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The experience I've had with aluminum boats and bull bars in the past is that when they are scraped they tend to get a jagged edge to them that is razor sharp and dangerous unless ground down. It's the reason aluminum has fallen out of favour in the brewing industry for use in beer kegs, as stainless steel kegs will dent and get smooth shallow scratches wheras aluminum ones get razor sharp gouges in them (I run a bar & while I usually don't use gloves when dealing with stainless steel kegs I will never go near an aluminum one without a pair of heavy duty work gloves on; I have too many nasty scars on my hands & fingers to make that mistake again).
One main reason the brewing industry has switched because the aluminium kegs are light & easy to steal and fetch a good price for scrap, where stainless steel is not so.