Jan 08, 2024
Spent some 'quality time' under our Wildtrak thinking 'bout what skid plates should be 1st priority. Heck, we'd like to cover everything, but gotta decide what's a reasonable first pass. We were probably lucky in our 1st season wheeling half dozen of Colorado's high mountain trails with only couple wheel rashes. While a little dirty, Wildtrak's underside's in good shape. Here're a few belly pics.
Starting at the front, here's OEM's steel engine skid.
Just behind the engine skid's open tranny pan, front dif drive shaft, catalytics, crossmember, etc
The poly material tranny pan looks undamaged, but seeing it so unprotected isn't a good feeling..
Behind the tranny crossmember, here's the alloy material transfer case. Another unprotected critical component.
Here's the rear drive shaft, differential, control arms & suspension. As is typical, the dif's case looks robust.
The lower control arm frame joint appears to have some steel shielding.
Also, the lower shocks & mounts look to have some shielding.
However, along Wildtrak's right underside this large ploy material fuel tank hangs low and without protection.
Maybe overreacting, but honestly I wasn't expecting WildTrak's glass jaw to be this exposed. So, looks like my quality time under our Bronco is just beginning. Am thinking we really need to protect the tranny, transfer case & fuel tank as our first pass.
Your suggestion are very welcome!
Cheers
Starting at the front, here's OEM's steel engine skid.
Just behind the engine skid's open tranny pan, front dif drive shaft, catalytics, crossmember, etc
The poly material tranny pan looks undamaged, but seeing it so unprotected isn't a good feeling..
Behind the tranny crossmember, here's the alloy material transfer case. Another unprotected critical component.
Here's the rear drive shaft, differential, control arms & suspension. As is typical, the dif's case looks robust.
The lower control arm frame joint appears to have some steel shielding.
Also, the lower shocks & mounts look to have some shielding.
However, along Wildtrak's right underside this large ploy material fuel tank hangs low and without protection.
Maybe overreacting, but honestly I wasn't expecting WildTrak's glass jaw to be this exposed. So, looks like my quality time under our Bronco is just beginning. Am thinking we really need to protect the tranny, transfer case & fuel tank as our first pass.
Your suggestion are very welcome!
Cheers
Chief Ron, Deano Bronc