Skid plates are a necessary, even essential element to protect your truck when you go off-road driving. These fixtures are important because they help to shield sensitive vehicle components from damage.
This article will take a closer look at the purpose, benefits, and definition of skid plates, helping you gain a better understanding.
What Are Skid Plates For Trucks?
Skid plates for trucks are protective metal plates that cover critical vehicle components to protect them from damage and impact. They are available in a range of different materials, each of which offers unique benefits.
Steel
Steel is a strong, durable material that works well for protecting system components from potential damage. However, this material is also quite heavy and more prone to corrosion.
Aluminum
Aluminum is a lightweight, corrosion-resistant alternative. While it doesn’t add much weight to your vehicle, it’s more malleable, resulting in reduced durability. It also tends to be more expensive.
Do Skid Plates Protect the Catalytic Converter?
Yes, skid plates can help protect the catalytic converter, though that may not always be the case. The skid plate also protects the following:
- Engine
- Transmission
- Transfer case
- Fuel tank
- Differentials
How Do Skid Plates Work?
Unlike the lightweight plates used in most vehicle designs, skid plates are made of heavy, durable metals. They absorb and deflect impact from under-vehicle dangers like rocks or unseen projectiles.
By protecting critical vehicle components, these plates help reduce expensive damage, improve component lifespans, and provide peace of mind.
Types of Skid Plates
You may encounter various kinds of skid plates, but mainly these fall into one of two categories of differentiation. They may be differentiated by the type and thickness of the material, or the way the plate fits.
Material Thickness and Strength
Generally, skid plate materials can be divided into three main categories:
- ⅛” Steel: Due to steel’s malleability and cost-effectiveness, it’s a firm favorite for skid plate production. It offers excellent protection, and is a strong material.
- 3/16” Steel: This thicker steel option offers all the benefits of ⅛” steel, and combines them with an improved durability that’s perfect for extreme conditions.
- Aircraft-Grade Aluminum: If you require excellent protection, but need something lighter-weight, consider aircraft-grade aluminum. It offers the perfect balance of strength and weight. However, it is also less cost-effective since it’s harder to form and generally more expensive.
| Feature | Steel Skid Plates | Aluminum Skid Plates |
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Fitment Options
Truck skid plates are far more diverse than we give them credit for. When looking for the perfect fit you will have to choose between two main fitment options: universal and custom fit. You may also discover the integral fit, which is a type of custom fit.
Universal Fit
Universal fit plates are a highly popular option because they’re incredibly versatile and work on a wide range of models. These traits make them easy to use, and the fact that they’re readily available keeps them popular.
The downside is that they often require modification to cover the parts of your vehicle that you’re prioritizing. This adds additional cost and effort to the installation procedure.
Custom Fit
Custom plates are another excellent option, fit tighter to your vehicle, and have a neater aesthetic. The improved fit and specific shaping can be beneficial since it offers increased protection and elevates your vehicle’s style.
The downside to this kind of plate is that it can be considerably more expensive than a universal plate. Additionally, they’re generally designed to fit a specific vehicle or vehicle model. Though, in the case of lifted trucks, this lack of versatility can actually be advantageous.
The integral skid plate is a subset of custom plated. These plates are specifically marketed alongside certain aftermarket products.
Benefits of Installing Skid Plates
Installing skid plates on your lifted truck comes with some significant benefits, including the following:
- Protection: Skid plates play an integral part in protecting your vehicle’s undercarriage by safeguarding critical components from damage during off-road excursions.
- Durability: Skid plates significantly enhance your vehicle’s ability to withstand harsh terrains, which can lead to an extended vehicle lifespan.
- Resale Value: Since they indicate a well-maintained undercarriage, skid plates may increase your vehicle’s resale value.
- Peace of Mind: Skid plates can give you the peace of mind needed to travel in harsh conditions or on challenging terrain, without concern for your vehicle’s safety.
These are just a few of the benefits you may experience when you install skid plates on your lifted truck. It’s an excellent way to improve the safety, security, and even handling of your truck.
Considerations Before Purchasing Skid Plates
Before you decide whether to buy skid plates or not, there are a few aspects you may want to consider. These include the following:
Driving Habits
Your driving habits play a critical role in deciding whether you need skid plates. If you’re an urban driver, and drive well-paved roads most of the time, your car likely doesn’t need skid plates.
However, if you live in a rural area with poorly maintained roads, or you frequently go on off-roading trips, skid plates may be your vehicle’s salvation.
Vehicle Type
You also need to consider your vehicle’s type and model. Some vehicles are hard to find skid plates for, and may not even need them. For instance, your standard sedan rarely drives anything other than a well-paved, well-maintained road. These cars are usually fine without skid plates.
However, trucks, lifted trucks and SUVs may benefit from this addition. They’re more likely to drive less well-maintained roads, or even dirt roads.
Of course, there are exceptions to any scenario, and if you only ever drive your truck in the city, you may not benefit from skid plates.
Budget
Undercarriage damage can be a costly affair, especially when one of the more major components gets damaged. Skid plates aren’t always highly affordable, but they protect your car from many types of damage and can save you money down the line.
Of course, if you’ve already looked at the above considerations and determined that you don’t really need skid plates, buying skid plates may be an unnecessary expense. However, if you know that you need them, not getting them can be an expensive choice.
Before making a final decision, consider this comparison table. It displays the cost of a skid plate, compared to the cost of replacing the part the skid plate would protect. Looking at it this way, the question isn’t can you afford skid plates, but rather, can you afford not to have skid plates?
| Part Protected | Replacement Part Average Cost | Skid Plate Average Cost | Potential Savings by Using Skid Plate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel Tank | $1,561 – $1,776 | $150 – $250 | $1,311 – $1,526 |
| Front Air Dam | $500 – $1,500 | $150 – $200 | $300 – $1,300 |
| Engine (Splash Shield) | $4,000 – $15,000+ | $20 – $120 | $3,880 – $14,880+ |
| Steering Box | $1,044 – $1,273 | $60 – $100 | $944 – $1,173 |
| Oil Pan | $817 – $1,068 | $100 – $250 | $567 – $968 |
| Transmission | $2,500 – $6,000 | $175 – $275 | $2,225 – $5,725 |
| Lower Control Arm | $600 – $1,000 | $90 – $170 | $430 – $830 |
Installation: DIY vs. Professional
After purchasing your skid plates, you get to choose between two distinct installation methods.
DIY Installation
The first option is DIY installation. This approach has one main appeal in that it doesn’t (theoretically) cost you extra. The reality, however, is that only truly skilled truck enthusiasts can install their own plates.
If you’re not mechanically savvy, a DIY installation may actually cost you more. If you do the installation wrong, it may mean having to buy new skid plates, or possibly render the skid plates ineffective, resulting in damage to vehicle components.
Professional Installation
The second option is getting a professional to install the plates. While it may seem less cost-effective on the face of things, it can be the most effective option and offers some significant benefits.
For one thing, professionals know what they’re doing. They’ll install the plates so they offer maximum coverage, maximizing the protective benefits.
Another significant advantage is that you won’t have to buy a second set of plates if you mess up the first installation. A pro installer will do an excellent job and ensure that your plates fit perfectly, without damaging the vehicle or the skid plates.
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Are Skid Plates Worth the Investment?
It can be difficult to decide whether skid plates are worth the investment, but there are multiple things to consider before making a final decision.
Cost Analysis
Depending on the skid plate type and quality, the price may vary between $250 and $2,000.
The most advanced models protect most components, with full skid plates covering almost the entire undercarriage. Basic models are more cost-effective, but they only cover certain critical components.
Considering that repairing damaged components like a cracked transfer case can cost thousands of dollars, skid plates are often a worthwhile investment.
Long-Term Benefits
While skid plates may seem costly, they can be a significant benefit. When you consider the potential benefits, it more than balances out the rest.
The potential savings on repairs alone are easily worth the cost of the skid plates. They can also extend your truck’s lifespan, and lead to better performance and safety when you’re off-roading.
Conclusion
How important are skid plates to you? In the end, it comes down to your unique driving patterns and needs. The purpose of skid plates is to protect your vehicle’s undercarriage and critical components from damage.
The benefits are immense, including reduced damage, increased safety, and better peace of mind. While they can be costly, they also reduce costs on wear, maintenance, and repairs.
Take time to consider your life and needs, and whether skid plates will be advantageous to you.
Want to know more?
Contact Ultimate Rides today.
