This video explores the skid plate complaints of overheating engines/transmissions, damaging vehicles, creating expensive repairs, and adding unnecessary weight.
*THE TRUTH ABOUT SKID PLATES*
*Do Skid Plates Cause Engine and Transmission Over Heating?*
There are a lot of anecdotal reports from off-roaders on internet forums that skid plates effect engine temperature or transmission temperature or both. If you don’t look at authoritative references, you will find a lot of contradictory and confusing information on this topic. And thanks to ChatGPT it is pretty easy to research “Skid Plate Design and Heat Management.”
So, here’s what you need to know:
Can Skid Plates Cause Overheating?
1. Yes, if you allow them to become packed with mud and debris that blocks air flow.
2. Yes, if they are installed incorrectly and impede airflow to the engine or cooling system.
3. Yes, if combined with aftermarket bumpers that in combination impede airflow.
4. Yes, if they are an off brand. *You should choose skid plates from top manufacturers that are designed specifically for your make and model of vehicle. These are designed with air flow in mind both at highway and crawling speeds. They will have vents and design features so that air flow is not restricted.*
So, a better way to state the answer would be: "Skid Plates *Do Not* Cause Overheating if they are specific to your make & model of vehicle, and are properly installed and properly maintained.
*Do Skid Plates Damage Your Vehicle?* because they cause rust, corrosion and wear by trapping mud, dirt, salt, water, etc.*
a. Yes, skid plates can trip mud, debris, dirt, salt, water, etc. These in turn can cause rust and corrosion to the skid plate and to the vehicle itself. If left unchecked, this can lead to significant damage. The risk of this type of damage is fully and completely resolved by performing proper and timely maintenance to your skid plate and on and around all points of contact.
*Are Skid Plates are Too Heavy?*
There are pros and cons when it come to the weight issue. While adding weight to an off-road vehicle is generally a negative thing, skid plates are located so low on the vehicle that they will actually lower the center of gravity and in doing so add stability.
Whether or not the added weight is excessive depends on what you do. Are you a mall crawler (no offense intended), a soft roader, an overlander, a technical trail junkie, a rock crawler, or out there laughing manically while doing beyond extreme trails that defy the laws of physics. *If your style of driving puts the critical components of the undercarriage at risk, the added weight is probably worth it.* You can also consider an aluminum skid plate for a lighter alternative.
*Do Skid Plates Make Maintenance Difficult and Expensive?*
Yes, you have to remove the skid plate for maintenance. But, it’s not that difficult. There are a few bolts that need to come out and that’s it. The extra maintenance time is worth it to avoid the damage of not having a skid plate installed.
*I don’t Need Skid Plates – I am just a “Soft-Roader”*
Maybe you just stick to dirt roads and gravel roads instead of trails and technical routes but here’s the thing: Once you leave the pavement there are no street sweepers and no one is out there repairing the pot holes. You could be 50 miles from cell services and push off through a soft shoulder into some tall grass and hit a huge sharp rock you never even saw. There’s all kinds of vital stuff under your rig. Oil pan, fuel tank…In my twenties, I did exactly that and punched a big hole in my fuel tank.
So, even if you are a Soft Roader, I’d consider at least some aluminum skid plates.
The bottom line truth about skid plates: If you spend any real amount of time off pavement, you should give serious consideration to a set of skid plates.
For a great skid plate installation video from @aired-downoverland9239 check this one out [ Ссылка ]
