Which Skid Plate locations would be best?

[alrashid2]

Hey ya'll. In short I'm kind of kicking myself for not buying the FX4 package with my Ranger getting delivered in a few weeks. I went with the locking rear diff, but am now realizing I could have gotten the entire FX4 package for about 700 bucks more.

Anyway, I'm also now realizing that I don't like how exposed the plastic components are on this truck, especially the Oil Pan and Transmission Pan.

In a perfect world I'd buy all 3 skid plates (don't have a need for a gas tank or transfer case skid plate). I don't do any rock crawling but I do drive on a lot of wooded trails with deep ruts and rocks, and again the plastic makes me nervous!

I'm going to buy 2 Rival 4x4 aluminum skid plates, for around $700 total, so at least I'm not spending more than I would have for the Fx4 package... unfortunately I can't justify buying all 3 so I'm trying to decide which 2 plates would be best

Curious what you guys think or did. Thanks!

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[CACTUSGREYFX4]

The transmission is sorta covered with the cross member(frame) so I would go with the other 2.

 

[ADVNTURR]

If you're starting out with 2, I'd do radiator and engine and then worry about transmission and t-case later.

I've been happy with all of mine so far even though I haven't tested any of them

 

[alrashid2]

If you're starting out with 2, I'd do radiator and engine and then worry about transmission and t-case later.

I've been happy with all of mine so far even though I haven't tested any of them

Thanks for the photo! I watched your videos too - super helpful!

I think I'm for sure dead set on the engine/oil pan plate, since that one seems most exposed and the port window is a great design feature.

As @CACTUSGREYFX4 mentioned, the transmission pan seems to be tucked away so maybe I can get away without that.

Also thinking about it now, it seems like the bumper sticks down lower than the radiator mount so maybe I'd good to skip that too? Still need to find a photo of how exposed that is, or just wait til I get my own truck and explore

 

[bgn]

I would do radiator and engine first. I'm starting with the gas tank first since I have the FX4 and will likely move on to the transmission after that. Still can't quite make up my mind between RCI and Rival given the RCI transmission plate supports their crossmember plates (which are present for the 2.7 and hang LOW).

 

[ADVNTURR]

Thanks for the photo! I watched your videos too - super helpful!

I think I'm for sure dead set on the engine/oil pan plate, since that one seems most exposed and the port window is a great design feature.

As @CACTUSGREYFX4 mentioned, the transmission pan seems to be tucked away so maybe I can get away without that.

Also thinking about it now, it seems like the bumper sticks down lower than the radiator mount so maybe I'd good to skip that too? Still need to find a photo of how exposed that is, or just wait til I get my own truck and explore

Just a point to consider, the FX4 comes with a radiator and T-Case skid, so Ford seems to think those are 2 critical areas of the truck. That's why I based my call on engine and radiator

 

[alrashid2]

Fair points brothers. I appreciate it!

I think I'll plan on buying the Engine plate right now since that one seems like a given. I'll get my truck in Aug and assess which plate to buy next... Thanks guys!

 

[03GeeTee]

I have all three. I'm running Rival radiator skid and transmission skid with a factory Ford steel engine skid made for a Bronco but is the same as the Ranger FX4 engine skid. Engine skid was like $80 new from Ford.

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