Newbie question about Skid Plate
#1
Newbie question about Skid Plate
I just bought a 2000 Ranger, 4x4. Already has a lot of aftermarket stuff on it, but I think it was used more as a show truck than as a 4x4. I will be using it as a 4x4 and wanted to know about a skid plate. I won't be able to make one myself so thats not an option. Any tips?
#2
Ford makes two skid plates for your Ranger (and my 2002 -- same part): stainless and carbon steel.
The stainless one is thin, but tough. However, I've managed to just about destroy mine. Unless you run into a deal, I recommend the heavier carbon steel ones. I don't have part numbers sorry. I got mine used.
Don't get the stupid plastic box that goes under your radiator -- it's pretty useless. You may already have that in fact.
The stainless one is thin, but tough. However, I've managed to just about destroy mine. Unless you run into a deal, I recommend the heavier carbon steel ones. I don't have part numbers sorry. I got mine used.
Don't get the stupid plastic box that goes under your radiator -- it's pretty useless. You may already have that in fact.
#4
#6
Originally Posted by n3elz
Very good. I think the carbon steel is a better idea -- like I say, 2 years of offroading has totally destroyed my stainless one.
#7
Me neither, Bill. Doc (another member here) sold me this one, and he bought the carbon steel one for his -- maybe he has the number written down somewhere. I'm getting one made soon from 1/4" steel plate. I work at a steel mill so the materials are free and a guy in the fab shop says he'll make it up for me.
I totally agree though that the stainless one is certainly better than nothing! It's saved my truck quite a bit of damage. It's been a loyal soldier, but it's time for it to retire!
I'd like to have the new one for the Centralia trip in April.
I totally agree though that the stainless one is certainly better than nothing! It's saved my truck quite a bit of damage. It's been a loyal soldier, but it's time for it to retire!
I'd like to have the new one for the Centralia trip in April.
#10
Item Number List Core Price Price
1L5Z5B018AA $202.73 $0.00 $152.05
PLT - FR FRT CS/MBR
From firstfordparts.com, there isnt anything listed for YL57-5B018-AA however. The one above is what I'm guessing to be the Carbon Steel, since CS is in the description, don't trust me on that though. $150 seems kind of high to me too.
1L5Z5B018AA $202.73 $0.00 $152.05
PLT - FR FRT CS/MBR
From firstfordparts.com, there isnt anything listed for YL57-5B018-AA however. The one above is what I'm guessing to be the Carbon Steel, since CS is in the description, don't trust me on that though. $150 seems kind of high to me too.
#12
That's a pretty normal price.
If you look down the first page of my cardomain site, I think you can see where one of the front bolts is -- on the other side it's in the same place. There are 4 bolts total. 2 of them go into existing holes in the front crossmember (the crossmember being where the front of the lower arms fasten).
The other two bolts go into existing holes in the frame. I tink you can see where the one is on my site. I'll get some pictures but my plate is really whacked so they may lack a sense of "proportion", lol.
If you look down the first page of my cardomain site, I think you can see where one of the front bolts is -- on the other side it's in the same place. There are 4 bolts total. 2 of them go into existing holes in the front crossmember (the crossmember being where the front of the lower arms fasten).
The other two bolts go into existing holes in the frame. I tink you can see where the one is on my site. I'll get some pictures but my plate is really whacked so they may lack a sense of "proportion", lol.
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#15
#16
I'm pretty sure both holes in the frame on the front mounts are threaded. Mine too has the plastic retainers in place of two of the front bolts. I suspect that this is the norm for plates mounted at the factory where John installed his himself and used a real bolt instead of one of the plastic retainers..
#17
Im stylin i got that Plastic box... :tear: it looks like my coolers and shyt are falling, and it's kinda funny how Ford put "ribs" on the plastic to make it stronger... i so want the Carbon Steel plate, that plastic box of mine takes a beating, and there's no slope on it, so I can't slide over stuff.
#19
Yeah that would work..... I got a 4x4 sheet for 40 bucks..... I had to make some radio mounts. It was FUN let mt tell you trying to bend all that stuff up! Unless you had the proper toold I think you would be better off buying one... Not easy bending up 1/4 into a skid plate (accurately) using a hammer, saw and vise!
#24