Increasing approach angle?

[powershift]

After a big storm the road out of my campsite was washed out in several more places, one of which was the first real challenge I had in the LR4 off-road. Trying to get to the other side the plastic under the front-end started scraping. I started looking at front skid plates but then started wondering if I need a new bumper instead. The factory skid plates work great, I think they are pretty tough metal and I've made a mistake or two that gave me more confidence in them.

Some aftermarket front skid plates for the LR4 span past the radiator which I like but they have cutouts for the air knives and what I need to do is climb through washouts and kind of plow the front-end over the bank maybe lifting it off its tires even though there isn't enough clearance. Driving like that I can risk tearing the plastic apart and under the bumper its all plastic.

Then there are skid plates that look nice and strong until they show the 1/4" dia. mounting studs and that is clearly the weak point. The pic blow shows the area I'd like to clearance where the dirt scrapes are on the plastic. Has anyone modified the front bumper to get more clearance? Any solutions to get more clearance there?

 

[Land Rover Joe]

Dear @powershift

Great questions and while I run the OEM front skid plate (I believe it is from ManTech and called the "Steering Guard"), the gang at Tactical 4X4 makes a whole steel front bumper with winch mounts and such which supposedly improves your approach angle. See - https://tactical4x4.com/index.php/product/lr4-front-winch-bumper/

I have never used it (that much steel out front is not legal in Europe) but folks who bought it did like it. To get those better angles, some trimming and minor modifications will be necessary.

That said, the OEM plate is really great...I have literally "crushed rocks" (not on purpose but pretty impressive none-the-less)!

 

[powershift]

The ManTech Steering Guard looks nice, but I've only seen pics of it fitted with an aftermarket bumper. It doesn't look like it would fit stock.

 

[djkaosone]

I've used both aluminum Front Runner and the ASFIR sump guards. They're both pretty stout, banged through a lot of things with them and kept my truck intact. Aluminum is lighter if you're into the whole weight savings.

 

[powershift]

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