Full skid plates

[Nikal]

Has anyone used the Schwarttzy or another brand or made their own full skid plates? Schwarttzy recently changed the skids from steel to aluminum which I think is good. But my primary concern is they will trap all the heat from the exhaust between the skid plates and bottom of the body and add more heat around the transmission, and transfer case with zero airflow or way for the heat to escape.

Does anyone have any experience with these or other skid plates?


https://schwarttzy.com/product/skid-plates/

 

[atvspeed4]

We have run full skids we made for both a 5 cylinder on 37s and 6.0 swapped on 37s no difference with heat before and after installation. We drove cross country to Moab in 2018 with them and no issues

 

[3Hummers]

Not a fan of the exposed bolts

 

[Nikal]

We have run full skids we made for both a 5 cylinder on 37s and 6.0 swapped on 37s no difference with heat before and after installation. We drove cross country to Moab in 2018 with them and no issues

Thank you for the reply. So you made your skid plates? Did you go from frame rail to frame rail? Of just under the critical items, and if so, did you add any bends for strength? Do you have any pictures you could share?

I have the stock Adventure package square tube protection, but imo they hang down below the main frame rails, lowering my ground clearance and you can easily get caught or hung up on something as you’re not going to slide on them. I thought about adding a piece of UHMW to the bottom of them to give full coverage and to be able to slide over something if in a bad spot. But again then now you’re hanging even farther below the main rails.

I’m not looking to rock crawl or anything extreme, but things happen even on what might be an easy simple trail, or you unexpectedly slide off the main track into a rock or berm.

I’m hoping to do a bunch of trails and site seeing around Colorado next summer. Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Telluride etc.. and I just want to make sure I have some decent protection.

 

[rascole]

I have only the rear steel skid and am happy with it. The exposed bolts haven't been an issue and I have abused the skids. Grade 10.9 bolts are very durable. I didn't realize he switched to aluminum, but from what you say you need, that may be a better solution. Almost all stock 4x4's use aluminum skids in some form and they have held up to mid abuse. As far as trapped heat, never had an issue, we sit high enough and there is plenty of air flow.