The best way to attach a skid plate

[D.Mavis]

so I have a 1/4" aluminum skid plate for a class 7200 we are building. what do you all think is the best way to attach it? I've seen several ways. it would be great to have it removable from the bottom without having to put a wrench on the back. I worry about using counter sunk hardware since the allen socket may get ruined and it would be difficult to remove. a regular hex head could get knocked off. If I leave a nut on the back side to make removal relatively easy if the head is screwed up then I'll have to remove a lot of stuff to get to each nut. Any ideas would be appreciated

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[Ramsey_ElWardani]

Weld Top Lock (Stover) nuts to your tabs and use either fastener you mentioned. Weld a old nut on any stripped out allen head to remove it.

[D.Mavis]

I did basically that for other skid plates on the truck and used button head allens. Didn't have a good experience with the socket on several of them so I switched to hex heads which seem very exposed. Maybe 1/4" thick is enough to countersink allens and weld them out if needed like you suggest

[cusico]

Mini skids to protect the hex heads, like a horseshoe of 1/4" plate. I like countersunk Allen's but not in thin skids like a full 1/8" belly pan. They may pull out.

[Zambo]

I did basically that for other skid plates on the truck and used button head allens. Didn't have a good experience with the socket on several of them so I switched to hex heads which seem very exposed. Maybe 1/4" thick is enough to countersink allens and weld them out if needed like you suggest

1/4" is plenty thick enough for countersunk fasteners IMO. Just don't make the countersink too deep or make the hole oversize. The head of a 3/8 bolt is less than 1/4" thick. You could always use an aluminum countersunk washer too.

[racer56]

Floating nut plates attached to the welded skidplate tabs are the way to go.

[43mod]

Floating nut plates attached to the welded skidplate tabs are the way to go.

10-4 on that. easy to replace when damaged also

[CRAIG_HALL]

Floating nutplates or regular ones are best if budget allows. Next best is simple clip nuts on floor tabs. Just don't let guys use impact on them the hammering ruins them or lows out the rivets.

[Olenhogenson]

i welded a 11ga steel skid plate to the down tubes and welded nuts on the back side of the steel plate. i counter sunk the 1/4" plate for 3/8" bolts. done!

[D.Mavis]

I like the floating nut plates. I think I'll get some. What about bolt head type? Countersunk, button head, or hex. Or something else.