Skid plates
Bolt-on underbody protection for the oil pan, transmission, transfer case, fuel tank and control arms, so a misjudged line ends with a scrape instead of a leak.
What is hanging under your vehicle
Look under most 4x4s and the lowest points between the axles are components you really don’t want to hit: the engine oil pan, the transmission pan, the transfer case and, on many models, a plastic fuel tank. Factory coverage is often a thin stamped shield or a plastic splash guard meant to deflect road debris, not carry weight.
When a tire drops off a rock and the chassis comes down on it, a real skid plate spreads that load across a flat surface and lets the vehicle slide off. Without one, the same impact can puncture a pan or crack a case miles from pavement.
What each plate guards
Skid systems are usually sold as individual sections, so you can cover the most exposed areas first and add the rest later.
Engine and oil pan
The front section covers the oil pan and often the steering and radiator lower edge. It is the plate most likely to meet a rock on a steep climb.
Transmission
Automatic transmission pans are thin and sit low in the middle of the chassis, right where the vehicle high-centers on a crest.
Transfer case
The transfer case often hangs below the frame rails. A crossmember skid protects it and can raise the lowest point at the same time.
Fuel tank
Tank skids protect against punctures and crushed straps. On vehicles with a rear-mounted tank they also guard against departure-angle strikes.
Control arms and shocks
Lower control arm and shock skids cover mounts that drag over ledges. JKS, for example, makes front lower control arm skids and rear lower shock skids for the Bronco.
Differentials and evap parts
Heavy-duty differential covers and evap canister guards round out a system on vehicles that expose them.
Steel, aluminum or plastic
| Material | Impact strength | Sliding | Weight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steel | Highest; bends before splitting | Grabs more on rock | Heaviest | Frequent hard rock use |
| Aluminum | Good; dents and gouges sooner | Slides fairly well | Much lighter | Overland builds watching payload |
| UHMW plastic | Flexes and rebounds | Slides best | Light | Moderate trails, quiet mounting |
Thickness, the number of mounting points and whether the plate is formed with ribs matter as much as the material itself. A thick plate hung from two small bolts will tear out before a well-supported thinner one bends.
Before choosing a system
Service openings
Good plates have access holes for the oil drain plug and filter. Without them, every oil change means dropping the skid first.
Exhaust clearance
Plates run close to the exhaust and catalytic converter on some vehicles. Proper design leaves an air gap and venting.
Flat belly
A smooth, flat underside slides over rock. Skids that hang below the frame or leave lips will catch instead.
Frame attachment
Look for plates that bolt to the frame or crossmembers with multiple points, not to thin brackets.
Bumper pairing
Some lower front skids are built to match a particular bumper, like CrawlTek’s Blaze lower front skid for the Wrangler JL.
Factory skids
Trims like the Silverado Trail Boss come with factory skid plates. Upgrading may only mean adding sections they leave uncovered.
Living with skid plates
Dirt, gravel and winter road brine collect on top of skid plates, trapping moisture against the frame and pans. Rinse above the plates after muddy trips and each winter, and pull them once a year to clean and check for rust or loose hardware. A plate that has taken a heavy hit should be checked for flex that pushes it into the part it protects.
Skids also interact with lift height. Raising the body increases the gap between the plates and the ground, but it doesn’t lower the axles, which stay the lowest point. Pairing skids with a lift kit covers both sides of the clearance problem.
Colorado trails and our brands
Trail guides list skid plates as advised for routes such as Cascade Creek near Idaho Springs, where the western half has loose boulders and ledges. Closer to home, Moody Hill off Buckhorn Road has rocky, steep climbs. Routes like these punish unprotected pans.
We source skid systems from MetalCloak, the brand we specialize in, directly and from JKS, CrawlTek and Zone Offroad through our Sport Truck USA account, and all four make Bronco skid plates, and we reach more than 130 other brands through our distributors.
Install time depends on how many sections go on, whether factory shields come off first and how much exhaust or crossmember hardware is involved. Most jobs get in within about a week of parts arriving.
Skid plate FAQ
Which skid plates do I need first?
Start with whatever hangs lowest on your vehicle, usually the oil pan and transmission. Add transfer case and fuel tank plates as trails get rockier.
Do skid plates make oil changes harder?
Plates with a drain plug and filter access opening keep oil changes simple. Without those openings, the front plate has to come off every time.
Steel or aluminum skid plates?
Steel is stronger and cheaper but heavier. Aluminum saves weight for payload-conscious builds and gouges more on hard rock.
Will skid plates reduce ground clearance?
Well-designed plates sit close to the frame and often replace lower factory shields, so the loss is small or none. Axles usually remain the lowest point.
Do skid plates rust?
Coated steel can rust where the finish chips, and debris trapped on top holds moisture. Regular rinsing and an annual check keep it under control.
What customers say
5.0 from 46 Google reviews
Great job repairing my rear tire mount.
10/10 experience with Zach at off-camber. I brought in 3rd party front and back bumpers for my Sequioa, and both bumpers had some issues that required him doing a lot of extra work that wasn’t anticipated. Needless to say he went above and beyond with everything, and the final product came out looking unbelievable despite the difficulties (none of which were his fault). I will certainly be going back to him for any future projects, and I would absolutely recommend Off-Camber to anyone in Colorado looking to add off-road mods to their vehicle.
Thanks to Zach, Keith, and Paul for the awesome bumper install !!!!!
Great work, great communication, professional, highly recommend. Great pricing for super quality work. Zach made the process seamless and I felt comfortable with my 4Runner in his hands. Installed SSO bumper 10k winch and light bar!
Zach did an excellent job replacing my Jeeps ball joints. Very satisfied with the joints he suggested and the work that was done.
Zach did some suspension work on my truck and it came out great, he was quick and the price was fair. Will definitely be back for more work in the future.
Zach was insanely helpful. He handled a pretty out of the box request with ease. I will recommend him to anyone in the area or passing through!
I had a great experience at Off Camber 4x4 as Zach is a true professional and pleasure to work with. He went above and beyond getting all hardware snugged up even though it wasn’t in the estimate - with being a late request made when I dropped off the truck. Additionally, Off Camber’s shop not only provided the most reasonable price out of the four estimates I received, they were the ONLY shop that recommended a follow up inspection for the type of service I had done. They installed a leveling kit, control arms, rear shocks, dual exhaust system, and a trailer receiver along with including the complementary inspection at 500 miles to make sure everything was still tight.
Protect your underside
Skid plate installs in Windsor, CO, protecting oil pans, transfer cases and gas tanks for off-roaders across Northern Colorado.