Will I need skid plates?

[ca1a73]

I have a 3.5" lift with 33" tires. dana 44 and 9" rear. My question is, will I need some sort of skid plates to do a 3-4 rating trail run? It probably doesn't hurt to have them, but will I damage anything If I don't?

 

[68 Broncoholic]

3-4 trail isn't tough, just take your time, feel for the traction and geta good line. The Bronco will do the rest ;D Do you run lockers?

Axle skid plates are not necessary, they just get hung up on things.
I like the driveline protection tube (connects to the 5 bolts around the pinion) that keeps rocks off the u-joint. Plus if you blow the driveline it cradles it so it doesn't come around and smack the ground causing more damage.
I've seen some nice 1/4" T-case skid plates but your D20 is probably tucked up above the bottom frame rail adn not needed. Front and rear bumpers are always a nice option to help save the corners of the body.
The main part of the body that gets it the worse are the rockers, add skid rails or 1/4" rocker guards to help from crushing your rockers.
The rear quarter panel also gets hit when off camber and smacking off trees and rocks. BC Broncos sells a good 1/4" protector for that area or everyone else has the 1/8".
Other than that, if you like your doors, take em off before you go...
Have fun and take some picts!

 

[SaddleUp]

The driveline tubes are a catch 22. If you run them they help keep rocks from hitting the driveline but on the flipside they also make great scoops for dirt and rock to collect in so they will eat away at the u-joint unless they are kept clean. 3-4 trails will usually be more challenging to the driver than the rig as long as it is set up fairly well. I.E. With 33" or 35" tires then clearance underneith shouldn't be an issue. A locker at one end would be a plus though. The Dana 20 does hang down below the frame but it is also a cast iron piece so it will take a bit of abuse before it will get hurt by rocks. Having a skid plate may help it slide over stuff instead of catching on it though. All of this assumes you will use finesse on the trails though. If you go out there with the pedal to the metal and don't pay attention to where you are going then you are going to break something and even having skid plates isn't going to help. Like was mentioned above pick your path carefully. I.E. Watch the trail ahead of you so you can decide in advance what path you will take. Keep in mind that the Dana 44 front differential hangs down on the driver side so put any larger rocks toward the righ side whenever possible so they will clear both differentials or drive right over them with a tire if they are too big to clear underneith. One pitfall that people often have is to get caught up paying attention to one obstacle and then they don't know what is under them after it because they didn't watch ahead at the same time so keep that in mind. Don't be too proud to use a spotter if necessary either (pros do).

 

[gddyap]

You didn't mention your trail rating scale. A 3 or 4 trail on a 1-5 scale is different than a on a 1-10 scale.

Gil
GDDYAP

 

[SaddleUp]

You didn't mention your trail rating scale. A 3 or 4 trail on a 1-5 scale is different than a on a 1-10 scale.

Gil
GDDYAP

I noticed the same thing however even on a 1-5 scale the 3 & 4 rated trails are normally not bad enough to require skid plates. I assumed a 1-5 scale in my reply above. On a 1-10 scale the 3 and 4 rated trails would pretty much be 2WD trails.

 

[Dusty]

I don't run any skid plates and haven't really had any problems from it. The spiral scars on my driveshafts and gouges on my T-case, frame rails and axles will attest to the fact that I don't shy away from a few rocks. I've been hung up, high centered, teeter-tottered and turtled on boulders all the time and haven't broken anything from it yet (knock on wood). I think if you drive with finesse and don't hammer your junk on the rocks, you'll find that everything under there will slide over just about anything. Skid plates are nice but they can rob ground clearance, add weight, get in the way of trail repairs, discourage routine maintenance because its more of a hassle to work around them, and hide developing problems that might otherwise be easier to detect if the symptoms were in plain view. All that said, I will probably integrate a nice skid plate into my t-case crossmember when I put the doubler in

Dusty

 

[Jeepeater]

I am assuming its a rateing from 1-10, since some of the other trails are 5-7. the 3-4 said that stockers with 31" tires have made it through, but with some body damage. So Im guessing I should be good with 33" and 3.5" susp lift.

 

[SaddleUp]

I don't run any skid plates and haven't really had any problems from it. The spiral scars on my driveshafts and gouges on my T-case, frame rails and axles will attest to the fact that I don't shy away from a few rocks. I've been hung up, high centered, teeter-tottered and turtled on boulders all the time and haven't broken anything from it yet (knock on wood). I think if you drive with finesse and don't hammer your junk on the rocks, you'll find that everything under there will slide over just about anything. Skid plates are nice but they can rob ground clearance, add weight, get in the way of trail repairs, discourage routine maintenance because its more of a hassle to work around them, and hide developing problems that might otherwise be easier to detect if the symptoms were in plain view. All that said, I will probably integrate a nice skid plate into my t-case crossmember when I put the doubler in

Dusty

I went out and bought the material to put one on mine and then decided against it for the same reasons you posted. Everything is pretty even under my t-cases so I decided that I would probably slide over everything and even if I don't the 203 and 205 are stout enough to handle it. I do have a few scars under the cross member now but from what I can tell I still haven't hit the cases.

 

[cracker]

I have wheeled my EB for over ten years without the added benefit (?) of skid plates. Everything from the factory is tucked up and out of the way. I would suggest rocker guards for sure if you do not already have them.

 

[68 Broncoholic]

'on the flipside they also make great scoops for dirt and rock to collect in so they will eat away at the u-joint unless they are kept clean"

Thats good info. I can see rocks getting in there. I've never used skid plates either except rock ski's under the doors. The 205 t-case I run seems to be tough as a skid plate. Although I can't get my drain plug out the bottom of the 9" any more after last months adventure. I think I'll add some 1/4" deep tube around the plug to protect it.

 

[SaddleUp]

'on the flipside they also make great scoops for dirt and rock to collect in so they will eat away at the u-joint unless they are kept clean"

Thats good info. I can see rocks getting in there. I've never used skid plates either except rock ski's under the doors. The 205 t-case I run seems to be tough as a skid plate. Although I can't get my drain plug out the bottom of the 9" any more after last months adventure. I think I'll add some 1/4" deep tube around the plug to protect it.

I don't have a plug in the bottom of mine otherwise I probably wouldn't be able to get it out either. I did end up running new brake lines after I went up to Evan's Creek though when I had the rearend buried in the rocks.

 

[ctowery]

I think my EB's set up perty good and I thought I didn't need a BC's gas tank skid plate especially since the first trip thur the Rubicon I did not touch anywhere ;D but after my second trip I now have a 20 gal tank instead of the 23 gal tank I bought . Funny thing is I still haven't touched my rocker skid's. Going off ledges that have pits and rocks at the bottom with our rear overhang can cause some gas tank damage.

Cary

 

[GRIZZLY]

'on the flipside they also make great scoops for dirt and rock to collect in so they will eat away at the u-joint unless they are kept clean"

Thats good info. I can see rocks getting in there. I've never used skid plates either except rock ski's under the doors. The 205 t-case I run seems to be tough as a skid plate. Although I can't get my drain plug out the bottom of the 9" any more after last months adventure. I think I'll add some 1/4" deep tube around the plug to protect it.

That's what I've got around mine. We also added some 1/4" thick gussets leading up to the fore and trailing edge so it wouldn't gouge into rocks quite as bad. My plug is still clean. As for the original question I agree with the rocker protection. I've got BC's 1/4" Rock Skis on mine. I agree with having a plate under the rear tank. They usually sell plates with the tank kits....

 

[SaddleUp]

I think my EB's set up perty good and I thought I didn't need a BC's gas tank skid plate especially since the first trip thur the Rubicon I did not touch anywhere ;D but after my second trip I now have a 20 gal tank instead of the 23 gal tank I bought . Funny thing is I still haven't touched my rocker skid's. Going off ledges that have pits and rocks at the bottom with our rear overhang can cause some gas tank damage.

Cary

Good point. I forgot about the big dent I have in the stock tank I pulled out of mine. I think it still held 12 gallons. I also run custom rock skis built from 4" square tube that I ride over the top of rocks with regularly.