Some questions about skid plates.

[James Morse]

Yeah that wasn't really the word I wanted to use, deform is better.
Yep that happens easily, slip off the high point especially in water.
All good points. Do you have this on yours? If so can you post pic please? I wouldn't mind having one.
That has bothered me, that the shape of the diff is almost as if it's daring trouble.

 

[Josh B]

I did a simple search, https://www.ebay.com/itm/1743435731...1291&msclkid=280b8090b23b1aa79127e4b023e7f511 Looked interesting 1/4" steel.
Mine has a factory plate for the TC but nothing at the engine or transmission and that search I did didn't offer one up front there anywhere

 

[sgtsandman]

I did a simple search, https://www.ebay.com/itm/174343573145?chn=ps&_trkparms=ispr=1&amdata=enc:12-os8ZvsTCKvu8nYw-IYhA15&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-213727-13078-0&mkcid=2&itemid=174343573145&targetid=4580840331958308&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=&poi=&campaignid=437225721&mkgroupid=1235851340419610&rlsatarget=pla-4580840331958308&abcId=9300906&merchantid=51291&msclkid=280b8090b23b1aa79127e4b023e7f511 Looked interesting 1/4" steel.
Mine has a factory plate for the TC but nothing at the engine or transmission and that search I did didn't offer one up front there anywhere

For whatever reason, none was ever made or offered for the older Rangers as far as I know. Just the front, transfer case, and the fuel tank. Granted, on the TTB Rangers, mounting a plate for the oil pan is a bit more difficult but not impossible.

Not enough interest I guess?

 

[Josh B]

I have no clue why, I just today began to wonder why they'd get the TC and not one for the front. I tried a search but it didn't offer anything up easily. I may do a better search when I have more time to dig around

 

[James Morse]

On those skids, I can't find some stuff I was looking at when I was scoping out the trucks. To my recollection the 98-up FX trucks came 2 ways depending on year and whether it was Level 2.
One config was 2 skid plates (I think xfr case and fuel tank). The other was 3 skids, and I don't know where the other one was - front?
But in '97 you got the xfr case and fuel tank skids which was something I noticed when looking at it. Then later they took them off and you only got them on FX. Maybe you could option them, dunno.
So when they were oem standard build in '97, maybe they were only on the 4x4's. All I know is, I have them.
I'm not sure how much a front one would help, stuff is up pretty high and you got that massive odd shape cross beam there.

 

[Curious Hound]

Depends where you drive. I’ve hit my front bumper on stuff that I crawled over. And that’s on 35s with a 6” lift.

 

[sgtsandman]

On those skids, I can't find some stuff I was looking at when I was scoping out the trucks. To my recollection the 98-up FX trucks came 2 ways depending on year and whether it was Level 2.
One config was 2 skid plates (I think xfr case and fuel tank). The other was 3 skids, and I don't know where the other one was - front?
But in '97 you got the xfr case and fuel tank skids which was something I noticed when looking at it. Then later they took them off and you only got them on FX. Maybe you could option them, dunno.
So when they were oem standard build in '97, maybe they were only on the 4x4's. All I know is, I have them.
I'm not sure how much a front one would help, stuff is up pretty high and you got that massive odd shape cross beam there.

The third skid plate is the front. It protects the bottom of the radiator and the steering rack since it bolts to the bottom of the front cross member.

If you get one for an ‘97 and earlier, it just bolts to the frame since there is no cross member to bolt to.

 

[JohnnyO]

I’d say just get the ARB skids and be done with it.

 

[Robertmangrum.rm]

I’d say just get the ARB skids and be done with it.

Oh if I could afford it that would be the plan. Just trying to protect as much as possible till I can save enough up. That being said I really like the idea of the Aluminum ones just to save on weight. Between gear and mods I'm probably carrying around 300 to 500 extra lbs.

 

[Curious Hound]

How thoughtless of me. I just carried a bunch of cardboard to the recycling center last week. You could have had all of it.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Over the years I've accumulated a bunch of road signs. I've always wanted to use them for skid plates.
One plate I've seen in use but never found for scrap is " exposed manhole". That would be the epitome of my collection if I could get one...

 

[Josh B]

I have a couple of those that I never considered for skids, they're not near as thick as the one factory I have tho.
That's what I was wondering is why I only got one at the TC. I'm not certain about the gas tank or what it would be like, but what I'm wondering about is the front one. Any chance some shop just "forgot" to put it back on one time, and the previous owner never caught it ?

Any way to find a photo, or would it be mentioned in the repair manuals?

 

[James Morse]

@Josh B are you saying you don't have a skid on the gas tank on your '93? For my '97 it's listed in the shop manual (4x4 only), part 9A147. Regular and Supercab 4x4 got them.
Not to be confused with heat shield that is on other models. I think maybe the skid serves as heat shield as well - don't think they would have both.
Skid is not all that thick but it's corrugated, so pretty strong.
As to front skid plate I don't think they were available for '97 gen from factory? I see no mention of it in 'dealer accessories' in the brochure where they list rear tube bumper, 'roll' bars, etc.
So far I see no mention of front skid in the manuals. I'd assume you'd have to take it off to work on front suspension so I was looking there.
Not sure if I'm addressing your question.
IMO they should have continued always putting skids if you got 4x4 it only makes sense. Instead of making you get a different model (FX).
I can get pic of fuel tank skid if you want, but not sure if that's what you were asking.

 

[Josh B]

I have em James, just never really thought of those as skids but rather a buffer for the plastic fuel tank

 

[James Morse]

If it has a lot of ridges on it, that's a skid plate. Heat shield (4x2) has brackets going around the outside of it and probably flimsy compared to skid. Either skid or heat shield is of course a buffer, but skid plate is the correct term according to shop manual which shows all the possible configs.
I still don't see how much you gain from front skid. There is that massively thick odd shape beam in front it seems to protect steering and you would hit that first. Radiator is pretty high up (same with trans). I'm not saying front skids aren't cool as can be, but I'm just not sure the payback (but willing to be convinced).