Barnes 4wd Skid Plates

[GloNDark]

Looking at upgrading my factory skid plates on my First Edition. I have a Maxlider front bumper which has an integrated front skid down the lower arms. Was looking at skids from there back and came across this. No review, no real decent pics. Anyone running this one?

https://barnes4wd.com/products/bronco-4-door-skid-plates

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[Tricky Mike]

No, but Barnes is top notch stuff, I use a lot of their builder parts.

 

[BAUS67]

No, but Barnes is top notch stuff, I use a lot of their builder parts.

I second this

 

[Aonarch]

Looking at upgrading my factory skid plates on my First Edition. I have a Maxlider front bumper which has an integrated front skid down the lower arms. Was looking at skids from there back and came across this. No review, no real decent pics. Anyone running this one?

https://barnes4wd.com/products/bronco-4-door-skid-plates

Damn $1k for all isn't bad at all!

Barnes is awesome

 

[GloNDark]

Damn $1k for all isn't bad at all!

Barnes is awesome

That's what I'm thinking. My buddy has Barnes stuff all over his 2 Jeeps and all of it has held up very well and looks killer.

 

[Aonarch]

That's what I'm thinking. My buddy has Barnes stuff all over his 2 Jeeps and all of it has held up very well and looks killer.

If they made a 2 door kit, I'd swap over.

 

[Brian_B]

I very nearly bought these, but I cashed in the last of my Ford points on the OEM skid set.

4 weeks later, still waiting delivery. I shoulda got the Barnes set. May try to cancel my order and switch over anyway - showing as ~$250 standard shipping

 

[JawnyBronco]

Shipped unpainted/uncoated…what does powder coating cost?

 

[Cobrafang]

I need to see this mounted on a bronco before I commit. Plus need to understand how easy to change oil...I like to do that stuff myself.

 

[tomfoolery]

I very nearly bought these, but I cashed in the last of my Ford points on the OEM skid set.

4 weeks later, still waiting delivery. I shoulda got the Barnes set. May try to cancel my order and switch over anyway - showing as ~$250 standard shipping

I did the same, couldn’t pass up basically 50% off after ford points and their 25% off sale. Though I ordered the kit last week and to be delivered to a local dealership for me to pick up. Got notified it was ready to pick up and I received the kit yesterday.

 

[userdude]

Shipped unpainted/uncoated…what does powder coating cost?

Find a local powdercoater and send them the url and ask for an estimate. It's usually piecework, AFAIU, but prices can vary per region. I got two (pretty simple) bumpers and two rock rails done here in North Texas for $675, which was supposedly a good deal. You might also ask about having it delivered there, they'll want to reuse boxes etc. plus it's a pain to drop off and pickup.

If they ask about texture, I got the black minitexture and it looks pretty good on the Bronco.

 

[zuke]

I just replaced the Rock Hard Skids on my Wife's JKU with the Barnes JKU set, and the Barnes are definitely way beefier than the Rock Hards, Which are a pretty respected set of Skids for the Jeep..

That said, The engine(diff) skid on the Bronco set is 3/16" versus 1/4" for the JKU... And there isn't a door to drain the Oil like on he JKU either...

On the 2.3L you can pull the oil filter out the side thru the fender well, I don't know if that's the case on the 2.7 or not... I also end up pulling the skid under the diff on my 2.3l to drain the oil and catch the runoff channel from the filter, and it looks like that would be required with this setup too, so changing oil is going to be more painful with this setup than it is on Jeeps, where a door is provided, but I don't think anymore difficult than current Bronco setups.

For finishing the skids, I prefer Paint, specifically, I use Rust-O-leum Rust Reformer. I know my skids are gonna get scratched up, so powder coting seems like a waste, the Rustoleum is easy to touchup when they do get scratched.

 

[Aonarch]

I just replaced the Rock Hard Skids on my Wife's JKU with the Barnes JKU set, and the Barnes are definitely way beefier than the Rock Hards, Which are a pretty respected set of Skids for the Jeep..

That said, The engine skid on the Bronco set is 3/16" versus 1/4" for the JKU... And there isn't a door to drain the Oil like on he JKU either...

On the 2.3L you can pull the oil filter out the side thru the fender well, I don't know if that's the case on the 2.7 or not... I also end up pulling the skid under the diff on my 2.3l to drain the oil and catch the runoff channel from the filter, and it looks like that would be required with this setup too, so changing oil is going to be more painful with this setup than it is on Jeeps, where a door is provided, but I don't think anymore difficult than current Bronco setups.

For finishing the skids, I prefer Paint, specifically, I use Rust-O-leum Rust Reformer. I know my skids are gonna get scratched up, so powder coting seems like a waste, the Rustoleum is easy to touchup when they do get scratched.

Same. I just use spray paint as well. That rust-o-leum is good, grill paint, rust reformer, whatever is handy. Then you can easily touch up the skids without removing them as needed.

2.7l has a canister filter mounted on top of the engine.

 

[zuke]

2.7l has a canister filter mounted on top of the engine.

Good to know! I think if I was going with this skid set on a 2.7 then, I'd put a a Fumoto valve and a drain hose on the oil pan, then not have to ever remove the skid again...

 

[Snacktime]

Barnes needs to go back to the drawing board on the Bronco. I refuse to buy skids without pictures of used ones. The biggest issue is they are designed for a V6 Bronco with a sway bar disconnect, multiple designs are needed. I wrote them off after seeing Matts Offroad Bronco, Heffe got hung up on everything.

Exhibit A is just plain shameful

Exhibit B is the only actual picture I can find of the product.

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