Smooth skid plate for snow?

[Quixotix1]

I'm considering a 2-door Bronco. My use would be around 80% for snow-wheeling. The factory and aftermarket bash plates seem to have a lot of contours and/or large gaps. Neither of these make an ideal sledding surface for sliding over the snow.

Is anyone aware of a skid plate that is large and smooth? Multiple pieces would be okay as long as the edges came together smoothly. I say "skid" instead of "bash", because I'm happy to have reduced bash protection if I can get a smooth skid surface instead. In fact, a plate made entirely from something like 5/8 thick UHMW-PE, would probably be just what I'm looking for (as long as it's not too close to a hot exhaust pipe).

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[Bikeric]

Check out Next Venture. Kinda pricey, but exactly what you said you're looking for.

https://nextventuremotorsports.com/products/bronco-aluminum-belly-skids?variant=43164603580652

 

[Quixotix1]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'd give this a C+ rating. It's reasonably light and is available with the slippery UHMW. But it has a lot of contours.

There appears to be a big step down between the back edge of the front (factory?) bash-plate and the front edge of the Next Venture skid plate. Then their is a small step down a little behind the front axle, a step up at around half way back, and a step down again at the front of the gas tank. I know there is good reason for this (maximizing ground clearance, improved breakover angle), but I'd like it to be smoother.

Looking more carefully, it looks like the one they make for vehicles not equipped with factory transmission crossmember bracing is a little smoother. So my next question is what models have the factory bracing. P.S. I'm looking at 2-door models with the manual transmission and locking front and rear diffs (probably a lower trim with Sasquatch).

 

[Aonarch]

https://rcimetalworks.com/product/s...MdWPIAdXuoIAvS8zEj0jLf2W9ICX7zCiX7OatRA1lN9Pi

RCI is pretty smooth.

 

[Brian_B]

Don't know that you'll find anything flat.. most all of them are going to follow the contours of the underbelly there. Metalcloak and Barnes are the only other two besides what are already mentioned that I would throw out there - but not sure any of them are going to be what you are looking for.

https://metalcloak.com/ford-bronco-four-door-undercloak-integrated-skid-plate-system.html

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

The cross bracing and the electric sway disco from a Badlands would be the things that hang you up. Cross bracing I think is just the 2.7 - so all 7MTs would be safe from that.

 

[NORCALGXP]

I have the stock plates never a problem in the snow in the Sierra.

 

[jsoa]

IAG skids

 

[RallyGorgo]

It sounds like you want the underside of your Bronco to look a bit like my M3, I “plated” it for winter road rallies. With the body-on-frame design of the Bronco, I don’t know if you’ll be able to get it as smooth as you’re hoping for.

 

[LCW]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'd give this a C+ rating. It's reasonably light and is available with the slippery UHMW. But it has a lot of contours.

There appears to be a big step down between the back edge of the front (factory?) bash-plate and the front edge of the Next Venture skid plate. Then their is a small step down a little behind the front axle, a step up at around half way back, and a step down again at the front of the gas tank. I know there is good reason for this (maximizing ground clearance, improved breakover angle), but I'd like it to be smoother.

Looking more carefully, it looks like the one they make for vehicles not equipped with factory transmission crossmember bracing is a little smoother. So my next question is what models have the factory bracing. P.S. I'm looking at 2-door models with the manual transmission and locking front and rear diffs (probably a lower trim with Sasquatch).

The extra brace is on the 2.7 only. Since the manual is only available for the 2.3 that’s one thing you don’t have to worry about.

 

[SROC3]

RCI - I have them, the full system. I got them because the plates are great quality (3/16) steel, or aluminum if you choose. And they lie perfectly flat at the edges and all the screws are recessed. the only 2 screws that are now are the ones on the front skid plate, easily solved by steel washers I purchased. Had them now for 2 years and love it. I would get the Aluminum version if you are going to be doing 80% snow stuff with it. Super good company and solid stuff.

 

[Quixotix1]

It sounds like you want the underside of your Bronco to look a bit like my M3, I “plated” it for winter road rallies. With the body-on-frame design of the Bronco, I don’t know if you’ll be able to get it as smooth as you’re hoping for.

Nice job! I know I'm unlikely to find complete flatness, but I figured I'd ask for my ideal and see what ideas people came back with.

 

[Quixotix1]

I have the stock plates never a problem in the snow in the Sierra.

It's not that stock plates would be a problem. And If I buy a Bronco that already has those, I'll likely run them (at least for a while). But if you're in deep snow where the bottom is dragging, smoother has to create less resistance. Less resistance is always good.

Note, in this first picture, those are snowshoe prints out in front of me. This is post-holing to mid thigh kind of snow -- too deep to walk, have to drive.

 

[Gtrekker]

I haven't seen it mentioned... but, you can always go Bigger tires!!!

Team 2 Door = Purpose Built and Bad!!!

 

[Quixotix1]

I haven't seen it mentioned... but, you can always go Bigger tires!!!

I'm not real fond of having to cut parts off the frame, which seems to be necessary for 37" tires. But I would definitely consider doing it. I haven't looked at what it takes to go over 37", but I bet it doesn't get any easier.

My current vehicle (the Dodge Raider in the pictures) has basically Sasquatch sized (34.5") tires. But the curb weight of my Raider is around a thousand pounds less than that of a Bronco 2-Dr (the Raider is listed at 3500, but with bigger tires/wheels and a winch, it's probably more like 3750). Thus, even with 37 inch tires, a Bronco is going to have a flotation disadvantage over what I drive now.

 

[Snacktime]

Flat belly means losing 1-2" of ground clearance which is like losing 2-4" of tire size. You need to go dig through some of the snow wheeling post from last year. Some of us have been there done that.

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