Skid Plates

Take a look at RCI’s products.

$665 gets you the ASFIR transmission, transfer case, and cross member skids.

After that, I think it is $550 for fuel tank.

Aluminum so less weight, no rust issues. Made in Israel.

Yeah, agree protection's gotta be a priority. Our Wildtrack arrived with only the front & oil pan skids, so we've added a lot over the past couple years.

Thinking about how to prioritize these protection elements, suggest considering proximity and exposure. In other words, how low to the ground or exposed is the element, and how much damage could be done.

IMO, the ploy fuel tank's an easy top priority - It's one of Bronco's lowest underside elements and a ruptured tank could be a very bad thing!!

A not-so-obvious element are Bronco's side rocker panels. If Bronco's lower door frame gets even a small dent, that door seal may never be wind &/or water tight again. So rock sliders should also be a priority.

We live in Colorado about an hour from RCI and since shipping is both expensive and sometimes risky, I've bought most of our skids & sliders from RCI with pick up at their facility. RCI's fitment and finish have been good.

We've installed steel, it is heavier than alloy, but also more durable. Oue Colorado trails are very rocky & unforgiving. After each season, I spend several hours under on Wildtrack, cleaning, prepping & touch-up painting our skids & sliders. I'm always surprised at how much paint has been removed.

Here's a BN link to our WildTrak's protection project.

Cheers

Kenneth

Yeah, agree protection's gotta be a priority. Our Wildtrack arrived with only the front & oil pan skids, so we've added a lot over the past couple years.

Thinking about how to prioritize these protection elements, suggest considering proximity and exposure. In other words, how low to the ground or exposed is the element, and how much damage could be done.

IMO, the ploy fuel tank's an easy top priority - It's one of Bronco's lowest underside elements and a ruptured tank could be a very bad thing!!

A not-so-obvious element are Bronco's side rocker panels. If Bronco's lower door frame gets even a small dent, that door seal may never be wind &/or water tight again. So rock sliders should also be a priority.

We live in Colorado about an hour from RCI and since shipping is both expensive and sometimes risky, I've bought most of our skids & sliders from RCI with pick up at their facility. RCI's fitment and finish have been good.

We've installed steel, it is heavier than alloy, but also more durable. Oue Colorado trails are very rocky & unforgiving. After each season, I spend several hours under on Wildtrack, cleaning, prepping & touch-up painting our skids & sliders. I'm always surprised at how much paint has been removed.

Here's a BN link to our WildTrak's protection project.

Cheers

Thanks for the advice. The first thing I did was to add rock sliders, so that part of the project is completed. I also added IAG steps which attach to the sliders but can quickly be removed if I plan on doing any rock crawling. I was thinking that the fuel tank protection would be important, but the cost of a ruptured fuel tank is minimal compared to a transmission or transfer case issue, hence my dilemma. Of course, if a fuel fire were to occur, then the cost could be severe.

I have looked at RCI, APG, and ASFIR products now based on recommendations in this forum. Expensive proposition to get the protection needed. My first priority is to install a winch, which is no easy proposition since I have the Lux package, with all its cameras and sensors. Plus, my Wildtrak came with the capable bumper, which I now regret.

If I had only known, when I spec'd the Bronco, all the little nuances that I would run into, I probably would have gone in a bit of a different direction. Alas, hindsight is always 20/20.

TK1215

Take a look at RCI’s products.

I am looking at RCI but still trying to determine where to start. Thank you.

bassist

$665 gets you the ASFIR transmission, transfer case, and cross member skids.

After that, I think it is $550 for fuel tank.

Aluminum so less weight, no rust issues. Made in Israel.

I have looked into ASFIR and compared their products to RCI and APG. Still on the fence as well as unsure as to where to start the project. If only there were statistics kept for where underside damage occurs most frequently.

Thank you for the advice!

Dano6666

I have looked into ASFIR and compared their products to RCI and APG. Still on the fence as well as unsure as to where to start the project. If only there were statistics kept for where underside damage occurs most frequently.

Thank you for the advice!

It’s pretty easy…

You hit the front skid first.

Then you hit the transmission.

Then you hit transfer case

Then you hit fuel.

Etc.

You mention getting a winch - put that as last on the list. You should be out there with another vehicle that can help, and more realistically speaking, it sounds like you could benefit from more time off road which means going with someone else and also learning about recovery techniques.

A winch should be your second to last step in the recovery pyramid.

I bought ASFIR plates. fuel, transfer case. But my first purchase was the Mabett aluminum transmission plate. Craw up underneath and look at your transmission pan if you have an automatic. It was plastic! Throw around some road trash and you might easily crack that thing. My Bronco BB came with the plastic junk instead of skid plates. Up front I bought the Broaddict alum plates but they are only 1/8 inch thick or about 3mm as I recall. Not really for rock crawling but good enough for road trash. I wouldn't buy them again, eventually I may replace with ASFIR. Ships from Israel via DHL and arrives very fast.

Dano6666

2023 Wildtrak

Lacking skid plates for transmission, transfer case, fuel tank, rear diff, etc. I don't have the budget for a complete set, any recommendations for which to buy first and where to buy? I've been looking at IAG, but not sure how competitive they are or how their quality compares with other aftermarket manufacturers.

I want to do some rock crawling, nothing too severe, but am worried about damaging components without proper skid plates behind the engine.

The IAG plates have been tested to an extreme on a stock height, stock tire Bronco that made it through Moab. Lots of skid plate damage, but they did their job and got him home. I'd recommend the transmission, transfer, fuel and shock skids. But the fuel tank skid at a minimum. It's even more sturdy than the OE fuel skid.

Made in the USA with 3/16" steel and they work with OE skids. You could even upgrade the engine skid to get oil change access...

BobN

I bought ASFIR plates. fuel, transfer case. But my first purchase was the Mabett aluminum transmission plate. Craw up underneath and look at your transmission pan if you have an automatic. It was plastic! Throw around some road trash and you might easily crack that thing. My Bronco BB came with the plastic junk instead of skid plates. Up front I bought the Broaddict alum plates but they are only 1/8 inch thick or about 3mm as I recall. Not really for rock crawling but good enough for road trash. I wouldn't buy them again, eventually I may replace with ASFIR. Ships from Israel via DHL and arrives very fast.

Some orders will ship from AZ too.

AdamF

The IAG plates have been tested to an extreme on a stock height, stock tire Bronco that made it through Moab. Lots of skid plate damage, but they did their job and got him home. I'd recommend the transmission, transfer, fuel and shock skids. But the fuel tank skid at a minimum. It's even more sturdy than the OE fuel skid.

Made in the USA with 3/16" steel and they work with OE skids. You could even upgrade the engine skid to get oil change access...

With steel vs aluminum, weight alsocan become a factor.

I have a Badlands Sasquatch. The difference between curb weight and GVWR is only like 1,080lbs.

bassist

With steel vs aluminum, weight alsocan become a factor.

I have a Badlands Sasquatch. The difference between curb weight and GVWR is only like 1,080lbs.

While this is true, it all depends on your level of protection required. Our skids are for pretty heavy use on rocks.

I have a Badlands and the stock skids are pretty good. I went for the low hanging fruit. Cross member skids from RCI (these really take a beating) rear shock and trailing arm skids from RCI. Front lower trailing arm skids from Foutz Motor Sports. I replaced my rear differential cover with a Ford Performance one, and I am still looking for a differential skid that will work with it. If you are considering changing your differential cover, get the Ford performance one for the Ranger. It will work with the Foutz differential skid. Also many other available differential skids in the market place.

Dano6666

Thanks for the advice. The first thing I did was to add rock sliders, so that part of the project is completed. I also added IAG steps which attach to the sliders but can quickly be removed if I plan on doing any rock crawling. I was thinking that the fuel tank protection would be important, but the cost of a ruptured fuel tank is minimal compared to a transmission or transfer case issue, hence my dilemma. Of course, if a fuel fire were to occur, then the cost could be severe.

I have looked at RCI, APG, and ASFIR products now based on recommendations in this forum. Expensive proposition to get the protection needed. My first priority is to install a winch, which is no easy proposition since I have the Lux package, with all its cameras and sensors. Plus, my Wildtrak came with the capable bumper, which I now regret.

If I had only known, when I spec'd the Bronco, all the little nuances that I would run into, I probably would have gone in a bit of a different direction. Alas, hindsight is always 20/20.

I am looking at RCI but still trying to determine where to start. Thank you.

Understand, we're in the same boat here. Here's my bumper replace & winch instll thread.

We considered several front bumpers, loved Fab Fours' but installed ARB's for robust build and better cooling airflow. Our Bronco runs a little warm on our steep/high altitude mtn trails, so cooling's really important here..

Cheers

One thing I will say about skids is to start putting them on before you head off road. Cross member, rear shock and trailing arm skids first. These are the beat down areas.

bassist

With steel vs aluminum, weight alsocan become a factor.

I have a Badlands Sasquatch. The difference between curb weight and GVWR is only like 1,080lbs.

We did all steel that added over 400lbs, so installed heavier Eibach springs. Here's the thread on that mod.

Cheers

AdamF

While this is true, it all depends on your level of protection required. Our skids are for pretty heavy use on rocks.

Yes, but imagine you have four people in the car.

Not hard for that to be 600lbs.

Then you are down to 480lbs of payload.

Just transmission, cross member and rear shock skids from RCI in steel will weigh 60lbs - you’re down to 420lbs.

Adding on a winch and mount will knock an additional 120lbs or so off.

That takes you down to 300lbs of cargo you can carry around- assuming you don’t have heavier wheels/tires. That’s not a lot.

While steel may have some use cases, aluminum can also be a smart choice to help manage weight that will stand up to most of what people throw at it.

Added bonus of aluminum is you don’t have to worry about rusting.

Kenneth

We did all steel that added over 400lbs, so installed heavier Eibach springs. Here's the thread on that mod.

Cheers

The issue is that I don’t believe we have a method for getting GWVR re-assessed like the folks down in Australia do.

So while you’ve compensated for the weight, if you are somehow over the official weight rating in the event of a crash, it can shift responsibility in your direction.

Just something to keep in mind.

bassist

The issue is that I don’t believe we have a method for getting GWVR re-assessed like the folks down in Australia do.

So while you’ve compensated for the weight, if you are somehow over the official weight rating in the event of a crash, it can shift responsibility in your direction.

Just something to keep in mind.

Oh, OKay .. What does a lawyer get when you give him Viagra?

Taller.

Cheers