Fluid film, skids and mudding: will this be a huge pita to clean up?

After installing a full skid package plus a arm skids and then fluid filming my undercarriage , I came to the realization that it's likely going to be a humongous PITA to clean things up if I do take the vehicle into the mud as I'd have to remove all of the skids to get the cakes up dirt as well as rent a hot water pressure washer to remove the incredibly contaminated fluid film as well as mud collected everywhere.

Would I be better off picking up a cheap ass clapped out 4 runner or something for when I want to take a trip to the bogs or a wet trail? I suppose that would also be easier to upgrade for rock crawling, 35's and things I wouldn't really want to abuse my Tacoma with.

 

I've got a full set of skids on my truck and take it into the mud all the time and the easiest thing is to just not bother with cleaning them out. I do take them off a couple of times a year for maintenance and usually wash the undercarriage well at that time. I will hit them pretty good with the sprayer at a self-wash place but don't generally worry about them having mud caked on the top. As for buying a clapped out 4Runner, I have wished I did that when it is out of commission because I did something stupid, since it's my main ride, however I work from home so it's generally just an inconvenience.

If this is your daily and you will be screwed if you break something and it's down for a few days, you should definitely consider a beater. Me personally, I enjoy the CarPlay, AC, and heated seats on the trail, which makes me swing the other way when things are running well

 

I pressure wash my undercarriage with cold water, when it is not hot out (if possible). Minimizes the fluid film removal.

 

Applying FF after putting all the skids on seems very backwards

You'd be surprised how well you can get in there even with skids on with a car wash pressure wand, tho. Will take one knee on the floor and some so hyperextensions, but it's def doable with the skids on.

 

I had applied the FF first, then the skids so that I'd have the voids between the xmembers and the plates full of the stuff.

I just now worry that the fluid film will be a mud magnet, making cleaning mud off things 10X harder then it should be.