Updated sources for skid plating?

[greiswig]

Most of the threads on skid plating are actually pretty old, and it isn't always clear what is available reasonably in North America, U.S. in particular. Using the Search feature here, I've seen the following vendors listed:

• Lucky 8 - U.S. presence, and seems to have good plates but at least the front skid requires using one of their bumpers to integrate properly.
• ASFIR (Israel)
• Prospeed (UK) has some good packages, but expensive even before shipping to the U.S.
  
• Frontrunner Outfitters has a sump guard

I'm trying to ascertain whether there are other viable options for getting pretty good armor. I think aluminum is likely too soft to really help where rocks are involved, so I think I'd prefer thinner steel over that in spite of the weight.

What are the best options I should be looking at in the U.S. which aren't horrendously expensive? Thank you!

 

[Michael Gain]

Tactical 4x4 is a great source. Lucky 8 does supply some of their gear, but you can go direct.

 

[greiswig]

Tactical 4x4 is a great source. Lucky 8 does supply some of their gear, but you can go direct.

Ah, yes. I had seen them as well. BUT...they don't seem to offer very much? It isn't clear, but it looks like they only offer a fuel tank skid and a transmission skid. Nothing for the front or the oil sump.

 

[Al Pizzica]

My 2 cents to keep or throw. I've been off-roading Jeeps for 20 years and I really think weight is your biggest enemy. The Jeeps with massive amounts of armor and other crap always get stuck where lighter Jeep drive right through. That, and the stock LR4 skid plate is pretty good by most skid plate standards I've seen on Jeeps. If you land hard enough on that to get through it and damage the oil sump you and/or your spotter are really doing something really wrong. Plus that oil sump by itself is way beefier than on any of the modern Jeeps (though it is aluminum and will probably crack before it will dent which is a downer for off roading, plenty of people get out with a bashed in oil pan, cracked not so much)

 

[greiswig]

That is a good perspective, particularly considering that I really haven't crawled under there yet. Thanks!

 

[mflecklr3]

I have an LR3 so not sure if it's the same for your rigs but...my main reason for wanting a sump guard is easier access to the front recovery point. With the factory setup, there's stuff you have to remove. So you either remove/replace for each trip or drive around looking like you've had a fender bender.

 

[djkaosone]

I'm going to say weight was the biggest factor in my choice in going with asfir. I have all their skids, except for the diff. The sump skid took a little beating, but survived. I also swapped out all the bolts with stainless steel button heads.

I'm still searching for an aluminum transfer case skid.

Fyi, the oem gas tank skid is pretty decent. I got hung up on a boulder and dented the skid, but was able to drive without any issues. I'm thinking about getting the lucky8 aluminum gas tank skid.

 

[greiswig]

"Aluminum" and "skid plate" just don't feel like they go together to me. Steel tends to let you slide off things, but aluminum is so much softer that I would guess it hangs up on things, and would have to be a lot thicker to equivalently protect.

 

[El Solis]

I’ve got an Asfir front that’s taken some hits as I tend to lead and just installed the Asfir rear today after squishing my driver’s side exhaust. I’ve got the Tactical Rovers sliders and they are worth the weight.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[djkaosone]

"Aluminum" and "skid plate" just don't feel like they go together to me. Steel tends to let you slide off things, but aluminum is so much softer that I would guess it hangs up on things, and would have to be a lot thicker to equivalently protect.

I suppose it also depends on how you drive it. Yes, it's softer, but the weight savings versus the 1 time that it'll potentially hang up on something is negligible. Just saying... 95% of the time you're not rock crawling through boulders you'll be at least 40 lbs lighter per skid plate. Weight adds up, who knows, maybe you'll make it over the boulders carrying less weight.