The Bellypan Discovery Journey

Back in 2013, Artec Industries embarked on a mission to create robust armor products tailored for the hardcore off-road crowd. Their adventure began with their very first Jeep Wrangler JK, fondly named the ARTECON. Initially, they experimented with steel as the go-to material. However, it didn’t take long to uncover steel’s inherent drawbacks: it was heavy, a pain to install, prone to overheating, a gas guzzler, and susceptible to rust.

Aluminum Exploration

In pursuit of a better alternative, Artec turned to 5052 aluminum. It was lighter, superior in heat dissipation, and rust-resistant. But the rocky terrains soon exposed its flaws—it dragged, gouged, and cracked under pressure. Clearly, the quest for the ideal material wasn’t over.

The 6061 T6 Aluminum Breakthrough

Fast forward to the 2014 Easter Jeep Safari. It was here that Gerald Lee from Savvy Offroad recommended 6061 T6 aluminum, a material he had successfully used for TJ gas tank skids. Artec embraced this advice, leading to a complete overhaul of their JK Bellypan. By combining 6061 T6 aluminum with newly designed zinc-plated steel support brackets, they achieved remarkable results: enhanced performance and unparalleled protection.