Best Approach for Sourcing Skid Plates?

[Black_Stallion13]

Trying to figure out the most affordable way to source a set of mostly OEM skids for my Big Bend 4 door. I picked up a capable number along with the front skid on marketplace, but need the others. From what I can tell, Levittown Ford has best price online at $685 full set, but after adding shipping it’s like $1300 for me so that option is out.

If I order full set from dealership, it’s the standard $830 price plus tax but no shipping which comes to about $900…then I’d have an extra front skid to sell I guess.

Since I already have the front skid, it seems I can source the small transfer case skid for around $50 pretty easily online, but strangely the MB3C-5B018-AB engine skid (goes behind the front-most skid) seems impossible to find on its own and the fuel skid is way too expensive by itself.

Seems like the best route is maybe to get the small OEM transfer case skid on the relative cheap and then go with another brand for the engine and fuel skids?

It seems the RCI fuel skid is about the cheapest standalone fuel skid I can find for about $400 shipped, but still not sure what to do for the damn engine skid… does anybody know where/how to get the OEM engine skid or know of another brand’s engine skid that will also work with the OEM front bumper skid?

I have too many other things to buy for my build so I’m not considering the more premium skid packages for over $1000. Really trying to stay closer to the $500 mark for a combo of fuel, tranny, and engine skid if at all possible.

Thanks for any advice!

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[SuperDave150]

Watch the Forum listings for OEM take offs, and also marketplace sites like eBay. Be patient.

 

[Y2KFirehawk]

https://ford.worldoemparts.com/oem-parts/ford-kit-skid-plate-mb3z5d032e has the set for $668.15 but not sure how much shipping is.

I see that you're in Cincy... I was out in OH for work and picked up https://www.fairwayfordparts.net/oem-parts/ford-kit-skid-plate-mb3z5d032e for $644.91

If you go to pickup, you'll need a full-size SUV or pickup. The crate/box is legit.

 

[Baja Bronco]

Make sure whatever set / manufacturer you decide on, there is a trans pan skid. That’s the most vulnerable piece underneath.

 

[Winds of Change]

I ordered the complete set through Ford accessories with a 20% sale discount. The at that time offered installation for about $230ish. They shipped it free to my local dealer. So for about a Grand I got the full kit installed. I bought the Mabett trans skid on Amazon and installed that my self. Having Ford install the skids was worth it as the fuel tank skid is what holds up the fuel tank. This means supporting the tank removing the existing straps and putting up the skid plate. Sounded like a PITA that I did not want to deal with. I however did not have the front skid plate or any for that matter as I have an Obx SaS and bought a Modualr bumper as a take off. Just my experiance as I was trying to do it as affordable as possible.

 

[Sozzy1269]

I'm looking at the ARB. Pretty close in cost.to OEM, but much thicker. Bronco Nation has a 10% discount for members. I remember seeing free shipping to a dealer at some point, but can't find it now.

 

[Black_Stallion13]

https://ford.worldoemparts.com/oem-parts/ford-kit-skid-plate-mb3z5d032e has the set for $668.15 but not sure how much shipping is.

I see that you're in Cincy... I was out in OH for work and picked up https://www.fairwayfordparts.net/oem-parts/ford-kit-skid-plate-mb3z5d032e for $644.91

If you go to pickup, you'll need a full-size SUV or pickup. The crate/box is legit.

Thanks for the tip. Local pickup would deff be the best bet since shipping is $300+ it seems pretty much everywhere. Canfield is pretty far from me but will be up that way in a few weeks. I have a trailer but don’t see why I couldn’t just take the skids out of the box and throw them in the back on some blankets or something. I’m sure dealer would toss the box for me.

 

[Black_Stallion13]

I'm looking at the ARB. Pretty close in cost.to OEM, but much thicker. Bronco Nation has a 10% discount for members. I remember seeing free shipping to a dealer at some point, but can't find it now.

I deff like the ARBs better but they don’t come with a fuel skid which is probably the most important one of all. Even though Ford’s plates are not as nice, at least they cover the essentials. If money was no object I’d probably buy the ARB set and a separate fuel skid but that would be at least $300-$400 more vs the Ford complete kit. I’m trying to be trail-ready by late spring and I’ve got too many other things to buy in addition to the skids lol

 

[Winds of Change]

I deff like the ARBs better but they don’t come with a fuel skid which is probably the most important one of all. Even though Ford’s plates are not as nice, at least they cover the essentials. If money was no object I’d probably buy the ARB set and a separate fuel skid but that would be at least $300-$400 more vs the Ford complete kit. I’m trying to be trail-ready by late spring and I’ve got too many other things to buy in addition to the skids lol

I wish you luck on your search and decision. My research and decision was grueling. Money being the object is always the problem. It seems like a lot more people have a lot more disposable income than me. Yes if money was no object there are better skid plates. But yes It seems a lot of the after market kits do not include the fuel tank skid plate. Once adding that in the price starting getting expensive for what I could afford. This considering I also needed rock sliders. I wanted a frame mounted version as well. I went with the Metal Tech as I could install those the easiest. I did get lucky on a winch and mount NIB for $350 from someone that had a RC setup. The recommendation I went with was Armor first because no matter the tires or lift your going to want to get out there and have fun. Fortunatly with the SaS tires and lift were unneccessary for getting started.

 

[Boss Broncos]

We have a few sets of 4WP Skids for $600 with free shipping:

Click here to order at discounted package price. Includes front skid, Tcase skid, Oil Pan skid, and Trans skid. Stronger than OEM.

 

[Black_Stallion13]

We have a few sets of 4WP Skids for $600 with free shipping:

Click here to order at discounted package price. Includes front skid, Tcase skid, Oil Pan skid, and Trans skid. Stronger than OEM.

Looks nice but same issue as ARB set mentioned above - missing the fuel tank skid for 4-door owners.

 

[Aman]

I deff like the ARBs better but they don’t come with a fuel skid which is probably the most important one of all. Even though Ford’s plates are not as nice, at least they cover the essentials. If money was no object I’d probably buy the ARB set and a separate fuel skid but that would be at least $300-$400 more vs the Ford complete kit. I’m trying to be trail-ready by late spring and I’ve got too many other things to buy in addition to the skids lol

While I like the ARB's, they are pretty thin. One good hit and they would be trashed.

 

[mikec426]

Make sure whatever set / manufacturer you decide on, there is a trans pan skid. That’s the most vulnerable piece underneath.

That’s what the OEM set leaves out, right? I need to find that piece that works with OEM stuff…

 

[Baja Bronco]

That’s what the OEM set leaves out, right? I need to find that piece that works with OEM stuff…

I bought the RCI plate. It works with the OEM skid, it slides under the back 2 bolts of the OEM engine skid. Some people don’t like it, but I don’t have any complaints.

 

[Winds of Change]

That’s what the OEM set leaves out, right? I need to find that piece that works with OEM stuff…

The stock kit does not have the trans skid plate. I bought the Mabett trans skid. It is aluminum but it is thick.

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