Skid Plates Priority

[Returntothefog]

Hey y'all!
For someone that goes some light off roading (nothing above a 5) only a couple times a year, how important is skid plates?
What is the priority list of skid for different places?
I'm thinking the fuel tank skid is the most important, then trans, then transfer case, then the other stuff like cross member if need be.
I don't see myself scaling a hill with loose rocks and dragging my skid over boulders anytime soon, but figured I would rather get them and have them see little action than having to deal with a punctured fuel tank in the middle of nowhere.
I'm more or less settled on aluminum (Probably from RCI) due to weight reduction and no rust (live near coast in cali).
Should I just ride it out with the fuel tank skid or are trans & transfer case crucial as well?
In addition, what advantage does powercoated alum has over just raw alum skid?
For info I have a 2025 HE 2.7 4dr.

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[Uhdinator]

The plastic OIL PAN, the rear lower shock mounts, and the rear control arm mounts.

 

[CitrusBronco]

If you’re never going to encounter anything dragging on the underside you have 0 need for additional skids. Could be sticks or branch’s that you might encounter also.
If you plan on activities that you might need them, go for it. I feel they are very affordable protection.

Powdercoat can be for cosmetic, color. It can also offer corrosion protection, if you’re worried about corrosion go for the coating.

 

[B22-2023]

Hey y'all!
For someone that goes some light off roading (nothing above a 5) only a couple times a year, how important is skid plates?
What is the priority list of skid for different places?
I'm thinking the fuel tank skid is the most important, then trans, then transfer case, then the other stuff like cross member if need be.
I don't see myself scaling a hill with loose rocks and dragging my skid over boulders anytime soon, but figured I would rather get them and have them see little action than having to deal with a punctured fuel tank in the middle of nowhere.

For light offroading, probably nothing. But fuel tank skid is a good start for peace of mind.

The plastic OIL PAN, the rear lower shock mounts, and the rear control arm mounts.

And next important is oil pan, and rear lower shock mounts that are grabby on rocks and other obstructions. In other words just cover the plastic parts and troublesome-by-design lower shock mounts (I’m switching to the DV8 ones that cover those and the rear control arm mounts). That’s enough for infrequent offroading in case you get into an oops obstacle. The other components you mention are high up in there and have hardy casing, you won’t be crawling boulders or crazy ledges so why add all that claptrap.

 

[Brian_B]

I was doing 5s and 6s with the plastic skid plate. I did bang up my intercooler but didn’t break anything.

I did eventually upgrade to steel front half, still need a fuel tank skid.

Just saying you don’t necessarily need full armor to tackle a 5 rated trail (unless it’s a 1-5 scale…). So I would say nice insurance to have for sure, but hardly a requirement

 

[Returntothefog]

The plastic OIL PAN, the rear lower shock mounts, and the rear control arm mounts.

I see, thanks for the info, I have the factory front bash which I don't think covers the oil pan, do you have a recommendation for a skid for the oil pan?

 

[Returntothefog]

I was doing 5s and 6s with the plastic skid plate. I did bang up my intercooler but didn’t break anything.

I did eventually upgrade to steel front half, still need a fuel tank skid.

Just saying you don’t necessarily need full armor to tackle a 5 rated trail (unless it’s a 1-5 scale…). So I would say nice insurance to have for sure, but hardly a requirement

I see, thank you so much for the info, its always good to hear from first hand experience. WIll thinking about the fuel tank later on if I get more time to go out more haha

 

[Returntothefog]

If you’re never going to encounter anything dragging on the underside you have 0 need for additional skids. Could be sticks or branch’s that you might encounter also.
If you plan on activities that you might need them, go for it. I feel they are very affordable protection.

Powdercoat can be for cosmetic, color. It can also offer corrosion protection, if you’re worried about corrosion go for the coating.

I see, thanks!

 

[Returntothefog]

For light offroading, probably nothing. But fuel tank skid is a good start for peace of mind.



And next important is oil pan, and rear lower shock mounts that are grabby on rocks and other obstructions. In other words just cover the plastic parts and troublesome-by-design lower shock mounts (I’m switching to the DV8 ones that cover those and the rear control arm mounts). That’s enough for infrequent offroading in case you get into an oops obstacle. The other components you mention are high up in there and have hardy casing, you won’t be crawling boulders or crazy ledges so why add all that claptrap.

thank you for the link, I will for sure check it out, do u have a recommendation plate for the plastic oil pan, I have the OEM "front bash plate" that stops just before the oil pan begins.

 

[Brian_B]

thank you for the link, I will for sure check it out, do u have a recommendation plate for the plastic oil pan, I have the OEM "front bash plate" that stops just before the oil pan begins.

There is a second "engine" plate that goes just behind that one that is recommended - Badlands and the older Black Diamond I thought shipped with it if you specced out the Mod bumper from the factory, but I couldn't say for certain what other trims do. I only had the plastic bumper/plastic front skid plate.

I'm partial to Talon, where you can buy the parts piecemeal as you want them or as a kit, but the OEM skid plate set is very reasonably priced and includes everything you would need, is often on sale, and you can use Ford points on (again, if you trust them to actually ship it) - MB3Z-5D032-E for the 4-door set, includes front/engine/trans/fuel plates.

As far as paint goes - don't bother with anything fancy. If you actually skid on your plate it will get totally scratched up, even if you spring for the best powder coat known to man. Easier and cheaper to just wire brush off any rust and touch it up with spray paint from time to time when you have them off.

For you, IAG also has just an engine skid plate you could get (along with various other pieces) that's reasonably priced.
https://www.amazon.com/IAG-Armor-Engine-Plate-Bronco/dp/B0CTN1CFHZ?sr=8-16

 

[Returntothefog]

There is a second "engine" plate that goes just behind that one that is recommended - Badlands and the older Black Diamond I thought shipped with it if you specced out the Mod bumper from the factory, but I couldn't say for certain what other trims do. I only had the plastic bumper/plastic front skid plate.

I'm partial to Talon, where you can buy the parts piecemeal as you want them or as a kit, but the OEM skid plate set is very reasonably priced and includes everything you would need, is often on sale, and you can use Ford points on (again, if you trust them to actually ship it) - MB3Z-5D032-E for the 4-door set, includes front/engine/trans/fuel plates.

As far as paint goes - don't bother with anything fancy. If you actually skid on your plate it will get totally scratched up, even if you spring for the best powder coat known to man. Easier and cheaper to just wire brush off any rust and touch it up with spray paint from time to time when you have them off.

Yea I think I see what u r talking about
Had to crawl under my car real quick but I think mine does have the 2nd engine plate behind the initial bash plate with my “capable” bumper so I think I got that covered.

I’ve been on keeping an eye on the OEM “full body” plate but I already have half of it (the set minus fuel tank and transfer case) so it feels kinda pointless.

I think I’ll take up @B22-2023 ‘s advice on the rear lower shock mount covers and call it there.
thanks again!

 

[RNC]

Prioritize. What is most expensive to replace? Protect that first. What is most likely to be disabling? Protect those in order. How hard are you really going to go?

 

[BobbySaggz]

Just a note on the raw vs powercoated aluminum.. Manufacturers are always offering powercoating on bumpers, steps, etc which makes for a nice factory coating on something that's a show piece, but is worthless in my opinion on anything that sees any sort of real use (especially a skid plate or rock slider). Once the powercoat barrier is compromised, it can't be "repaired" easily unless you find something near-identical in color and texture.

Paint on the other hand (or a bed liner type coating) that's self applied can be easily touched up after the coating gets scarred. I opted to paint all my armor for longevity's sake, and having everything from different manufacturers match in color is an added bonus. Whenever something is scuffed, I grab my paint can or spray can and fill in the cavity and it's as good as new.

 

[Returntothefog]

Prioritize. What is most expensive to replace? Protect that first. What is most likely to be disabling? Protect those in order. How hard are you really going to go?

Likely not that hard and not that often at all, but the fuel tank plate is probably what I’ll invest first

 

[Returntothefog]

Just a note on the raw vs powercoated aluminum.. Manufacturers are always offering powercoating on bumpers, steps, etc which makes for a nice factory coating on something that's a show piece, but is worthless in my opinion on anything that sees any sort of real use (especially a skid plate or rock slider). Once the powercoat barrier is compromised, it can't be "repaired" easily unless you find something near-identical in color and texture.

Paint on the other hand (or a bed liner type coating) that's self applied can be easily touched up after the coating gets scarred. I opted to paint all my armor for longevity's sake, and having everything from different manufacturers match in color is an added bonus. Whenever something is scuffed, I grab my paint can or spray can and fill in the cavity and it's as good as new.

good call. Just heard that ppl talking about corrosion and figure powder coated ones maybe will be less likely to corrode?
in terms of paint. What do u usually do to paint the skids. I’m looking at a pair of steel rear shock mounts by DV8 and I want to paint them.
Do u just do the usual sanding -> base coat -> paint. Do u have a brand of paint you recommend? I assume its not anything too expensive since plates are meant to be scuffed

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