Updated sources for skid plating?

[greiswig]

Fair point, but I'd rather have the protection. I can always kick my co-driver out if I need less weight.

If anyone HAS run aground on the aluminum skid plates, I'd be curious as to how well they seemed to protect, and whether they seemed to "stick" on sharp rocks more?

 

[djkaosone]

If anyone HAS run aground on the aluminum skid plates, I'd be curious as to how well they seemed to protect, and whether they seemed to "stick" on sharp rocks more?

I actually have grounded my Front Runner sump plate and bent the crap out of it going about 45-50 mph trying to keep up with some semi-trophy trucks out in the desert on an unforeseen whoop. With that said, the Front Runner sump plate saved the rest truck from serious damage. Since then I replaced it with the ASFIR plates. I've got hung up on rocks/boulders and it slid off with ease. There's some minor damage on the plates, but no big deal. The trick is to have constant momentum while driving. Do NOT stop, slow down when you hear a thud. THE worst thing you can do is stop and get hung up, which I also did with my oem gas skid. Lesson learned.

 

[San Moritz LR4]

Most of the threads on skid plating are actually pretty old, and it isn't always clear what is available reasonably in North America, U.S. in particular. Using the Search feature here, I've seen the following vendors listed:

• Lucky 8 - U.S. presence, and seems to have good plates but at least the front skid requires using one of their bumpers to integrate properly.
• ASFIR (Israel)
• Prospeed (UK) has some good packages, but expensive even before shipping to the U.S.
• Frontrunner Outfitters has a sump guard

I'm trying to ascertain whether there are other viable options for getting pretty good armor. I think aluminum is likely too soft to really help where rocks are involved, so I think I'd prefer thinner steel over that in spite of the weight.

What are the best options I should be looking at in the U.S. which aren't horrendously expensive? Thank you!

Tactical 4X4 out of California is a good source for Land Rover armor. Especially the bumpers and rock sliders.

 

[San Moritz LR4]

Here is a photo of my Tactical 4x4 front bumper.

 

[mm3846]

Figured I’d bump this up, anyone know who’s stocking anything anymore? Looking for an air compressor and sump guard… I’d love to go with APT but it seems impossible to get shipped from the three Australian vendors and everything else is out of stock everywhere I look.

 

[powershift]

You might be surprised at the factory armor (aside from rock sliders). I'm still new to off-roading in the LR4, but have been getting a lot of seat time in the past months. I miss-judged a rock last week thinking I could clear it and holy cow it hit damn hard and lifted the front end at 5-8 MPH. I got out right away to check for leaks on the ground and didn't see any so I kept going.

I looked underneath just now at the front skid plate and there is hardly any damage at all. The damage is the area with white marks. I see no reason to change anything in that area to beef it up.

 

[ftillier]

I did something similar, immediately shut the engine off and checked underneath for leaks/damage - nothing but a dent in the skidplate from what it looked like, however later on when I removed it I did notice the frame cross member has a slight dent in it. The design of the factory setup leaves a lip, so the impact is quite hard rather than sliding you over whatever obstacle it is.

 

[scapistron]

Have you ever been looking for an excuse to get a plasma cutter?

 

[mm3846]

Have you ever been looking for an excuse to get a plasma cutter?

lol I have some friends with fab shops and built the roll cage in my old XJ but I don’t have the time anymore.

Not interested in replacing the factory skids, those are fine for me. But I want protection at the front to protect the radiator/condenser and the air compressor guard.