Tested ARB skid plates 😂

[mattusmc]

Had a little damage this weekend at Uwharrie. I have the ARB full skids installed on my 2 door. Transfer case skid got put to use. I will say that the skid did its job, protected the transfer case and still has room between the case and skid. If I was using the ford stamped steel skids it would have been way worse.

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[Headsong]

That might be the one place where the ARB high priced stuff is worth it!

 

[Aman]

I looked at the ARB skids because they are fairly cheap. However, I quickly discovered that their skids are made from 3mm thick steel which is significantly thinner than the 3/16" steel most others use. They appear to be closer in thickness to the stock Badlands skids. Probably fine for overlanding, but not for rock crawling.

 

[87-Z28]

Plate bending stresses are proportional to the square of its thickness. 3/16 plate is 1.6x thicker than 3 mm plate and 2.5x stronger in bending.

 

[cgv]

Plate bending stresses are proportional to the square of its thickness. 3/16 plate is 1.6x thicker than 3 mm plate and 2.5x stronger in bending.

I imagine that's why ARB adds in the stamped beaded stiffeners to their skids. To help with strength/bending. Though that clearly didn't work in this case.

I'd be curious how RCIs 3/16" skid would hold up in comparison as the way it mounts is not triangulated like the ARB skid is.

 

[87-Z28]

Mounting or boundary conditions clearly play a role. The arb skids did their job. It is really more about use case, weight, and durability. Not everyone needs a heavier skid plate, but if you beat on them they will last longer.

 

[userdude]

It's just a flesh wound! Duct tape'll fix it! You shoulda seen the rock!

 

[Snacktime]

A 3/16" skid would have a dimple, the impact force has to be absorbed and you can't avoid wear & tear. But a 3/16" steel skid would have laughed that off.

@mattusmc nice!

 

[mattusmc]

So I called ARB to get a p/n to order a replacement skid, instead they sent me a new transfer case skid free of charge. Didn’t expect that.

 

[Fordmanfrombirth]

So I called ARB to get a p/n to order a replacement skid, instead they sent me a new transfer case skid free of charge. Didn’t expect that.

It was the right thing to do! Good Call ARB!

 

[Sozzy1269]

Dang, that made up my mind for me... Planning to order the ARBs...

 

[Dubsesd]

I’m also curious to see if they will sell the transmission and transfer case skid separate. I have a hidden winch and already have an engine skid. Guess I’ll have to give them a call. Good on them for replacing it!

 

[chtucker]

ARB skids are a great value for aluminum. I considered them, but went with Next Venture Motorsports as they are 1/4" aluminum with UHMW as an option.

I would never go with steel as I can't stand chasing the rust from the scratches..

 

[Reidt131]

ARB skids are a great value for aluminum. I considered them, but went with Next Venture Motorsports as they are 1/4" aluminum with UHMW as an option.

I would never go with steel as I can't stand chasing the rust from the scratches..

I am only seeing a zinc plated steel skids available on ARBs website. Maybe they changed materials? I am looking for a light to medium duty skid plate setup for general protection.

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