We all agree that off-roading is an addictive recreational activity. It paves the way to locations you have never been to before, and it opens doors to get away from the contemporary complexities of everyday life — perhaps even letting you go bonkers on trails that have no rules. This is the reason we fall in love with our 4×4 off-roading beasts. On the other hand, heavy-duty vehicles, including trucks and Jeeps, have fantastic potential, from hauling large loads to holding out against all the twisted challenges you throw at them. It surely helps if you arm them with tools to assist through these trials.
This begs the question of whether your Jeep or truck requires a skid plate. While your off-road machine doesn’t necessarily need skid plates to operate, adding one will undoubtedly help keep important components safe. In the long term, this could even translate into reduced maintenance costs. In 4 Wheel Parts’ inventory, you’ll find a wide collection of Jeep and truck skid plates to choose from. First, let’s find out what they are, if they are worth the cost, and how one could help revamp your favorite off-roader.
What Are Skid Plates?
A skid plate is a plate installed beneath a vehicle to protect various undercarriage components from damage caused by debris. You may find these plates made of different materials for a range of purposes. Skid plates are typically made of materials like steel, aluminum, hard plastic, or carbon fiber. It’s crucial to select one according to the conditions under which the vehicle will be used. They can typically be used on cars and trucks but are most commonly popular among off-road vehicles. There are also different types of skid plates available to choose from, according to your needs.
Belly Pans
As the name implies, these cover the whole “belly” side of your truck using one big sheet or several smaller skid plates that fit as tiles underneath the vehicle. An interesting benefit of these skid plates is improving aerodynamics in addition to providing a defense against dust and track obstacles.
Front center skid plate
These go below the front bumper and protect the front parts of the engine bay, such as the radiator and hoses, motor, and main frame. You guessed it, these are mainly used by off-roaders. As large logs or rocks could do serious harm to engine components, a Jeep skid plate like this is undoubtedly a good investment.
Front suspension skid plate
If the lower control arms of the suspension system get damaged, it can lead to steering problems. These type of skid plates are fitted to keep these components from receiving harsh strikes.
Similarly, there are many skid plate designs for each undercarriage component if you just wish to protect a few essential parts of your vehicle.
Are They Worth Investing In?
Why should you consider investing in a good skid plate for your vehicle? Firstly, it is a relatively cheap accessory that helps shield your vehicle from harm. While different applications for skid plates have already been explored, let’s see how else they might help your cherished vehicle.
You might think that only heavy-duty trucks needs skid plates. However, let us remind you each time your vehicle’s front bumper scraped against the pavement. Also, the lower the ground clearance, the greater the risk of engine issues caused by dust, debris, and salty road conditions.
On the flip side, a skid plate for your off-roader is a provider of uninterrupted fun and might just be a lifesaver. Rock crawling, mud bogging, fording rivers, sand, or any other place you put your 4×4 exposes it to a great danger of damaging the undercarriage and engine components. Investing in skid plates is advisable if your 4×4 doesn’t come with one as standard.
How Much Do Skid Plates Cost?
The price of skid plates varies based on the brand, the plate types, and your vehicle. But it doesn’t have to break the bank, and it’s possible to purchase a high-quality skid plate for less than $300. On our website, 4WP offers Jeep skid plates starting from $168, and you can choose from front skid plates, lite skid plates, gas tank skid plates, transmission skid plates, and many more.
We offer products from several renowned brands, including Poison Spyder, Pro Comp, and Rubicon Express. Browsing through our inventory will show that you can buy quality control arm skids for less than $50. As you might expect, full belly pan skid plates are the most expensive, and we do have a few options available starting at $2,000. At 4 Wheel Parts, you’ll get the lowest price, and you can opt for a protection plan for your purchases as well. Additionally, a few chosen goodies qualify for free shipping.
Do Skid Plates Help Your Fuel Economy?
There’s no sure yes or no answer to this question, though there are a few ways that skid plates might be responsible for better fuel economy. On paper, a skid plate deflects the air and helps reduce drag. That is of course, only effective if you opt for the belly pan skid plate. This means it improves the aerodynamics of the vehicle and boosts fuel economy, even if it is negligible.
However, skid plates protect critical components for fuel economy like oil pans or gas tanks from breaking or being damaged. So it’s safe to assume that even though they might not directly improve your fuel economy, they certainly aid in maintaining it for a long time to come.
Why You Should Purchase Skid Plates for Your Jeep or Truck
Aftermarket skid plates are an excellent way to retain an unharmed underbelly of your Jeep or truck and have peace of mind when off-roading. Even though installing a skid plate may seem like a sizeable investment, it’s much less expensive than fixing a broken truck. Down the line, you will surely be able to avoid some costly repairs and direct that money into rigging your vehicle up for more serious off-road driving.
Check out 4 Wheel Parts For Everything Off Road
If you’re looking for quality off-roading accessories, then 4 Wheel Parts has thousands of products from hundreds of established brands for you to browse, check out, compare, and purchase. With over 100 stores scattered nationwide, there’s likely one nearby already. And if not, you can always browse our website for the best deals. In addition, 4 Wheel Parts offers a price matching policy, comprehensive after-sales service, expert advice, and all applicable warranties.
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