Aftermarket skid plate reviews

I thought ATO and 4xinnovations only made 1/4" skidplates? It was frustrating cuz they were the cheapest but 1/4" is so heavy. I just can't bring myself to spend more on 3/16"... if ATO makes a 3/16" I'll be all over that.

 

ATO used to make the IFS in both a 3/16" and 1/4". Not sure if it is still an option or not. The other 2 skids are both 3/16". Not sure where you wheel or what the conditions are like but if you wheel with rocks like we have around here I highly recommend the 1/4". I go slow and mine still gets dented.

 

The T-Case skid goes underneath of the trans skid, then the two bolts on either side go through the trans skid, then the T-case skid, and finally through the stock crossmember in front of the transfer case.

I had to kind of put the crossmember in at an angle (side angle, not up and down), then slid it along the frame to get it where I wanted. You slide the crossmember "C" around the edge of the frame, then tighten the crossmember bolt tight to the frame. It does not go in a hole or get a nut, it basically is just a clamp.

Pictures for you below as well.

(Those are the front tires in the picture)



(Skid crossmember clamped to frame)

IFS is 1/4'', Transmission and T-Case are 3/16''.

Similar, yes. Pictures above.

Matt

 

Big thanks all! I figured that's how they did it, but didn't want to have to do this a third time!

Ordering up an ATO skid tonight. Anyone interested in an RCI tcase skid that's never seen dirt?

 

These continuous skids might be a good idea in Cali as they serve a dual purpose protecting the underside not only from dirt, rocks, and debris but cat thieves as well!

 

Interesting I didn't know this. I also thought 4xinnovations and ATO were the same company? Both identical products and website buuuut ATO is like $30 cheaper for the skid plate set...
And yes I like 1/4" especically since I'm doing Moab and the rubicon this summer, but several of my buddies have worried me about the weight of the 1/4...

 

They are, 4xinnovations took over ATO a while ago. I have no idea why there is a difference in the pricing, you should give them a call. As far as the weight I think it's around 15-20 pounds, not much really. Not enough for me to go with the thinner material. Hope this helps.

 

Yeah thats what I thought. Hmmm... I don't wanna end up paying more though... I'll probably end up ordering through ATO cuz the TW discount works on there too. I've made my decision to buy the set from them with the 1/4 ifs, and yeah like you said 1/4 everyting would be nice but I don't mind the 3/16 mid and t-case. Thanks for your help!

 

Do heavier skids cause any loss in clearance? I know that it doesnt matter if you crank your coilover up or down, it wont effect clearance, but Im having a hard time wrapping my head around how adding weight doesnt reduce clearance.

 

My first skid (AP Offroad) was 3/16'' and it was around 55 pounds, which is normal for a 3/16'' IFS, whereas this ATO 1/4'' is about 70. The weight difference is negligible.

You gain clearance with an aftermarket IFS, and you may lose like 1/8'' of an inch for the other skids versus the stock "skids", so it's really negligible.

Matt

 

Sub'd

 

Going to add some more in depth reviewing.



What you see here is 1 hard year of work from these skids. They had a couple of deep scores and a few dents (all of which I removed with a hammer and a 2x4), slapped on a new coat of rattle can and they bolted right back up. The t-case skid was in the worst condition out of the 3 believe it or not, the corners of them before they start to sway outward to the frame edges were both folded in and I'm not sure how they got that way. If there was a small gusset on the top side of the skid I'm almost certain it would not have done that as it seems to be a fairly weak point being about midway between the front and rear bolts with a bend in it. All in all, I am very pleased with the performance of these pelfreybilt skids.

 

So I bent my All pro Tcase skid. Jerry at bamf is going to make me a new one.



Its bent up so its at an angle now



The arm on the right should go up but its flat now.

 

How hard of a hit did it take to bend the skid Nick? That main tube is pretty thick on the all-pro.

 

Not to hard. I did have most of the trucks wieght on it. . I believe it bent on the bolder on the the right in an early attempt on the hill. My next skid will be 1/4 inch steel.

 

this is the stubbs sliders on a DCLB, bolted:



they are STRONG. ends are doubled (two tubes one inside the other) and even lifting the truck like this they have minimal deflection.

For front skid I replaced my all-pro with the armor-tech as I really liked my rear bumper. the armor-tech skid is 2x beefier than the all-pro.

 

Apologies for OT but:

Staircase on Slickrock?

 

Yep...

 

So from what i'm hearing, the weight of a full skidplate set is negligible when it comes to suspension considerations? i want to lift my new taco but couldnt afford skids at the same time. The skids would probably come 6-12 months later and i wouldnt want to have to re-buy brand new springs when that happens. i've seen that there are stiffer front springs made for bumpers and winches, so i'm thinking about just getting the heavier front coils right off the bat so they will still be adequate with my future bumper / winch whenever that would be, even though the ride might be rough for a while. should i also be considering stiffer in the rear to accomodate for future skids?

 

I started with a toy tec lift a few months ago. The coils that came with it had trouble supporting the bumper and skids. Then I got Icons that come with a 13 inch 650 pound coil but then I replaced my offroad bumper witha heaver one and now im adding a winch so this weekend I am putting 14 inch 700 pound coils on. If you have big plans for your truck just get the stiffer coils and deal with the ride till you get bumpers and skids. It sucks to do it twice or for me 3 times.