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Can I bolt on a skid plate without lift?


jtpeters83

New Member
Joined
Feb 9, 2010
Messages
1
City
Phoenix, AZ
Vehicle Year
1998
Transmission
Manual
I'm a long time reader of this forum, but this is my first post. My question is about installing a skid plate.
I use my ranger as a daily driver, but I infrequently offroad as well. Five years ago I ripped off the front valence (the plastic cover below the bumper). I simply held it on with zipties, but those recently gave way, and now I guess my valence is somewhere along the highway. Also, about three years ago the plastic radiator cover ripped off. I keep it in my garage, but the bolt holes are destroyed.
So now the bottom of my radiator is exposed and the fog lights just stick out under the bumper. I often see offroad rigs with front skid plates to protect the radiator, but I always thought this was a custom job. I found a skid plate online (link below), and I wondered if it is as easy as bolting it on o a stock ranger? Any input or experience would be awesome, Thanks!
Jeff

Link to Auto Parts Warehouse Trailmaster skid plate for Ranger
 
Welcome to the site.

Looks like its a bolt on job. Besides, most of us do most of out work on 4 jack stands and a creeper.
 
I thought about that too. I am thinking about getting some metal, or thick aluminum and my angle grinder and making my own. Course I am cheap too and I feel like I can do it better than someone else. LOL
 
Or find one from a stock FX4.
 
Good idea.:icon_thumby: we have a pull apart here in Knoxville., maybe they have one.:icon_confused:
 
Skid plates typically attach to the frame so it doesn't matter if it's a lifted truck or not. I've seen some people that purposely armored the hell out of the underside of their rig so that they could get by with minimal lift.

But do be careful, some of the skid plates for sale are for nothing more than looks. My dad got a Ranger not too long ago that had a "skid plate" in the front. It appears to be 1/16" stainless with no bracing. It'll stop a stone thrown up by a vehicle in front of you but I don't think it would last long off-roading it. The first big boulder you smacked into would smash the heck out of it.
 
i thought about getting some sheet metal from lowes and makin a skid plate. i hate how now that my trucks got a body lift, the trans cooler lines are just hangin out right under the bumper. its got a cheap plastic cover on it stock but the first time i straddled some ruts, i broke half that cover off!
 

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