Iron Pig or Slee transfer skid plate?

[Brian894X4]

I'm trying to decide which direction to go. I assume these are the only two options for transfer skidplates?

For my 80 project, my lift will be minimal, like maybe 1" and 33s, so the full skidplate from Ironpig is tempting. I have a similier design from Budbuilt on my PU and it really made a huge difference in clearance. However, the stock crossmember on the 80 doesn't hang down as much as it did on my PU. Also, the install of the Ironpig unit seems like kind of a PITA from what I've read so far. I like things that just bolt on. No grinding, cutting or drilling when possible. Does anyone know if the new design is any easier?

The Slee unit, looks nice and simple, easy bolt on, cheaper, but hangs down and less protection.

My rig is a '95 FZJ80.

 

[concretejungle]

IMHO, if you plan on wheeling really hard i would go with the Iron Pig. The slee is nice and holds up well from what i've heard and read, but the IPOR plate is a step up. I have the IPOR plate.

The new design makes it a basic bolt on with one exception. there is a brace that bolts to existing captured nuts in the frame. It extends down to the back of the skid plate and is used for extra support. To make it fit "your" truck like a glove, that brace comes separate. You would want to bolt the plate up, then bolt the brace up and weld it to the plate.

Other than that, it's bolt up.

 

[80jay]

I am having the same problem try to chose which one to go with!! I like Irons but agian I live in florida not much rock here but I would like some sort of protection, so I might go with slees cheaper and still looks like it will get the job done.

 

[Bluetribal]

I installed the Slee Skid and have yet to need it but have it when I do. Takes only 20-30 min to install. Takes more time getting all the stuff under the truck than installing. Quick EZ & Cheaper. IPOR skid is for hard core or if you off road in really rocky areas IMO.

 

[Brian894X4]

Nice pics of the Slee unit.

I don't plan any super serious hardcore wheeling with this rig. I spend far more time exploring than doing any super serious trails, hence the minimal lift and 33" tires on this new build. But I did like the additional coverage of the Ironpig unit and considering my rig will be several inches lower than most other builds....

However, I'm leaning towards the Slee, so we'll see....

 

[Wrench]

Iron Pig skid plate no question. It offers the best protection.

 

[slick621]

Iron Pig skid plate no question. It offers the best protection.

Absolutely. But it is also important to note that there is about a $200 price difference. For simply "peace of mind" and not "best protection," I think the Slee unit fits the bill perfectly.

 

[Wrench]

Absolutely. But it is also important to note that there is about a $200 price difference. For simply "peace of mind" and not "best protection," I think the Slee unit fits the bill perfectly.

How much does a new transmission and transfer case cost?

 

[e9999]

when I was looking, I asked around, and I was told by a couple of people that Christo's did a good job of holding the vehicle weight when high-centered on it. It's also beefier than the impression I got from the pics on the web site.
Got one. I don't think I ever actually "used" it but pleased with the peace of mind.
One of these days, though, I'll get buttonhead bolts instead of the OEM ones at the cross-member, though, for less chances of hang-ups or scraping them down...

 

[MaddBaggins]

I have a 1/8" deep gash running about 3" long on my Slee plate. I'd say I musta really layed the truck on something nasty. It never moved, bent, tweeked or anything else. I'd get Slee's if you're not wheeling hard. That would save you some $$. It's plenty beefy for everything I've done so far.
I'm thinking of getting the IPOR one and selling my "battle tested" Slee plate, cause I push my rig a bit and IPOR's will protect the tranny as well as transfer. I didn't get it in the first place cause it either wasn't available then, or I hadn't heard of IPOR.

My .02

 

[Hayes]

How many stories have you heard of an 80 driver killing a tranny or transfer case by mashing it on the rocks?

How many stories have you heard of an 80 driver that doesn't wheel hard killing a tranny or transfer case by mashing on the rocks?


Maximum armor is not the best path for everyone.
Besides $200, what's the difference in pounds?
It all adds up, and the returns diminish particularly for folks who--by their own admission--don't plan on wheeling very hard.
Not that I wouldn't get the IPOR skid for myself. I AM a little squeamish about replacing the cross-member with a skid plate though.

The Slee skid is apparently adequate for Christo and the Short Bus...

How much does a new transmission and transfer case cost?

 

[PKP80]

IPOR

hands down I've had the whole truck on it at one point

 

[Barbarosa]

any one have a pic of the pig installed? the sites pics are not very enlightening.. what does it look like to take the x member out and put in the mongo bigpig plate? (altho slee is down the road here in colorado)

thanks,
justin

1994 -80 newguy

 

[Nay]

When I can manage to actually get out on the trail, I play in the relatively big rocks with a minimized lift for my tire size. I have the Slee skid and have high centered on it back when I had OME. I haven't found any need to have more coverage or strength, so for a very moderate rig, it is plenty.

What is often lost in these armor to the hilt discussions is weight, which is not your friend, and more coverage often means less clearance, which is also not your friend. I'm not saying anything bad about the IPOR skid - I simply want as little heavy gauge metal on my 80 as possible to provide reasonable protection, because this thing is a pig out of the box.

It is easy to add a thousand lbs to an 80 and end up with a rig that is over 3 tons with gear. Keep it light whenever you don't need all the extra coverage. Once you have Slee's skid, the real at risk component is the rear driveshaft. Mine is wonderfully candy caned yet still vibe free

Sitting on the skid waiting for extraction on OME medium and 33's.

 

[e9999]

one other thing to consider about the big plates is compatibility with sliders.

I had been wondering about the IP vs Ken's sliders. I do recall reading recently somebody who said quite clearly that the IP one was indeed compatible with the sliders. No personal confirmation but that is a good data point.

 

[concretejungle]

any one have a pic of the pig installed? the sites pics are not very enlightening.. what does it look like to take the x member out and put in the mongo bigpig plate? (altho slee is down the road here in colorado)

thanks,
justin

1994 -80 newguy

here is a shot of my rig at IPOR getting the skid installed.

 

[rbpearson4]

This the skid plastic or steel? Can't really tell from the pic.

 

[concretejungle]

Plastic????

No way! Steel. Thick, strong steel!

 

[jonheld]

I have Christo's skid on my 80. Dragged it over countless rocks, dropped on it several times. It does OK and protects what it is supposed to protect. I don't like the bolts that protrude, but there's not much left of them anyway.

 

[Dusty]

you can build a killer one in a half day with a welder, a grinder, a plasma cutter, and a strong buddy

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=126514&highlight=skid