Is a full skid plate necessary?

Aluminum transmission skid is about 20lbs. Engine and transmission skids are important in my opinion. The transfer case is higher and has a small skid already. Oil pan and transmission pan are thin and low, easy to damage and while you can just turn off the truck, you may very well be stuck

 

To keep things in perspective, my 5th gen 4Runner is 100% pavement use, but I run full skids on it (front, engine, transmission, T-case, fuel tank), because I've encountered plenty of large debris on highways that could otherwise damage a major component and leave me stranded, debris like pallets, Hino truck grille, paving stone, tow hitch, truck tire fragments...

Since it's for unplanned/emergency use, I go for the lightest/cheapest skids on the market. That means going for aluminum or OEM tinfoil steel, watch for scratch & dent sales, and buying used.

 

I think people often miss the point of a skid plate. Rocks rarely sneak up on you and trash your oil pan unless you are being reckless. It’s very easy to avoid rocks that might cause damage. The primary purpose of a skid plate is to allow you to get over a rock that will definitely kill your oil pan or get you stuck. Ditto for sliders.

If your skid plate is not beat to shit the first time you take it off-roading (however you define that word), you might not need it.

 

Wait, if I get sliders and skids, then I wanna drive over big rocks and shit?

yeah, you’re right.

 

You ever do a helmet test? Same thing.

 

Damnit I need that and I didn’t know it. -- @Road_Warrior

 

Wrong. There are no guarantees when off-roading. Often the terrain has good lines that won't hit your skid if your tire placement is spot on. However, rocks are randomly shaped and if the tire slides sideways, it can drop you into a hole. Hell, you can clear an obstacle on the same trail year after year, then get high centered the next time, because trail features get washed out, grip on rocks changes with temperature and wet/dry, etc.

 

Makes me laugh every time

 

Did you slide any?

 

I only have front skid plate. But looking to get full soon. Thanks for the recommendations.

 

I absolutely have driven over rocks that I could’ve avoided and allowed my skid to do its job.

 

I like this thread; it has brought up all the standard pros and cons in minimal time in a civilized way. From the OP's described use I would say wait for the need. He doesn't need it yet - somehow with time our wishes and skill level often change.

I think I do see one item of interest; what the OP describes as his existing "skid plate" I think may just be that thin metal deflector, not a skid plate at all. When this "deflector" starts getting into some contact with the trail/road it will be time to reconsider skid plates.

I would recommend Sliders over skid plates as the first armor added to a vehicle. Most of what is under the truck is pretty substantial, the rockers are not at all substantial and can make it real hard to open and close doors if hit hard enough. Sounds like the OP needs neither, if he uses his head.

 

you’re right the rocker panels are way more susceptible to abuse. But the “armor” the off pad package comes with are pretty laughable. The “forest road” thing varies, a lot, even the same road can change a lot based on season. Op could be on those rutted out, ridge roads that turn into creeks occasionally, or it could be a well graded, wide properly drained road.
It’s hard to wait for the need and not be ready to go. Lack of preparation is commitment to failure. Maybe it’s a need vs want = inevitable

 

Then again I did just re read ops original post.
I would get tires and then sliders and a trd skid.

 

Of course, I think every truck in the group had to winch here.

 

Well being a " forest road" implies the forest rangers drive them constantly with a stock half ton truck. As well as camrys most likely cause those things are everywhere.

 

Don't forget the subarus!

 

If you want the 2 piece splash guard/skid plate(lol) from an OR you can have mine. They are laying behind my shed somewhere I think.

 

I'm in the camp of aluminum engine and trans skids are cheap insurance. I rarely put my truck in situations that would call for armor but there's been a few times I was really glad it was there.

Your situation doesn't really call for anything beyond the stock off road set up but if you want to spend the money okx and greenlane have great aluminum offerings.

 

HAHAHAHAHA