Skid Plates - Aluminum vs. Steel

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cruiser100

cruiser100

Comfortably Numb
10 Year 15 Year
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I have decided that its time to spring for full coverage under the rig. However, I was thrown a curve ball earlier this week when I saw that a vendor was offering aluminum skid plates.

My quandary - do the aluminum plates protect as well as the steel?

I like the weight savings with the aluminum and don't mind paying a premium for them. But, in the off chance I get myself into an undercarriage smack-down, how will the aluminum perform.

Most of my off-roading is trails with mud, underbrush, stumps and the like. Every now and again there's the little tree that needs a new home... I did hit the trails at Tellico several times when it was still open (thanks USFS :mad:) and it is very rocky - if it opens back up, I will head back out. There was some sliding going on and I had a few hits to the undercarriage, enough to rip up the stock fiberglass/plastic thing.

Personally, I feel like aluminum may be easily dented and could bend more than I'd like if/when I get some hard hits underneath or scrape along some boulders. Steel seems like it would be more rugged.

All that being said, what are 'MUDs thought on aluminum vs. steel plates? Anyone have experience with them (aluminum)?
 
Built to the same strength, all things being equal, with aluminum's modulus of elasticity at about 30% of steel you're going to be significantly more expensive with aluminum skids than steel. And if built to the same relative strength perimeter the weight savings in this application is going to be marginal IMO.

My front skid on my 100 is aluminum. Its bent, twisted and contorted. My Slee tranny/t-case belly pan system is scratched but not out of shape. And my intermediate Slee skid, again steel, has some serious gouges and is tweaked out of plane/shape now. The two bottom skids arguably are subjected to far greater forces than the front ramp skid...
 
I am sold on the steel Home. The attention to detail is exCellent . Honestly, I picked up rear bumper, sliders and skids in one shipment. Skids were by far the greatest surprise.
 
Depends on the LC you have and where you are located:meh:

In the US, Slee and Bump it Offroad are the two big ones that come to mind off the top of my head that are "production" skid plates. I'm sure somebody like Bud Built or Metaltech could make you sumpthin custom. I can't think of a manufacturer like ARB or TJM that make anything for the 100.

The ASFIR skids is an option for the IFS diesel breathers out there and can be modified to work with the gas model.
 
I put together a BIOR plate group buy a while back, and ended up not being able to participate in it myself. If there is interest, i can work on this again.
 
I still haven't seen what the BIOR plates look like, the website isn't great with pictures.
I have an ARB front and Slee diff drop.
Thanks Parker-
 
I run them with the ARB and Slee diff drop. Great skid at a pretty nice price point. No problems with the ARB and MT sliders i run, the only interface issue was with the middle belly plate, they are set up to bolt into the BIOR diff drop, the Slee doesn't have the holes for that. Easy enough mod if you want to do it though.

There are a few threads with pics, but I'll take some if I get a chance.

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD
 
phrogg4evr said:
I run them with the ARB and Slee diff drop. Great skid at a pretty nice price point. No problems with the ARB and MT sliders i run, the only interface issue was with the middle belly plate, they are set up to bolt into the BIOR diff drop, the Slee doesn't have the holes for that. Easy enough mod if you want to do it though.
Click to expand...

You may want to clarify the issue you had. It isnt exactly clear in your post.

I also have the BOIR skids (all three) and run it with the Slee Step Sliders, Slee Diff drop and ARB front bumper. Everything fits together perfectly without any need for modifications.
 
Mxndrnks said:
You may want to clarify the issue you had. It isnt exactly clear in your post.
Click to expand...

The holes where the front skid and the belly pan are supposed to line up with holes in the BIOR diff drop to bolt them on. The Slee diff drop has no holes, easy to add;)

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD

Edit, the 2 holes on there are where the plates can bolt into the diff drop, in addition to the bolts holding the plates together.

image-485480169.webp
image-485480169.webp
 
Last edited:
phrogg4evr said:
The holes where the front skid and the belly pan are supposed to line up with holes in the BIOR diff drop to bolt them on. The Slee diff drop has no holes, easy to add;)

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD

Edit, the 2 holes on there are where the plates can bolt into the diff drop, in addition to the bolts holding the plates together.
Click to expand...

That is really interesting. I have the Slee diff drop with the BOIR skids and didn't have that issue. The holes are there for me and everything bolted right up..... hmmm...
 
Mxndrnks said:
That is really interesting. I have the Slee diff drop awith the BOIR skids and didn't have that issue. The holes are there for me and everything bolted right up..... hmmm...
Click to expand...

Yeah, I was surprised also. Doesn't stop me from running them, they are very nice skid plates. I'm happy:meh:

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD
 
1 big save, and they have paid for themselves too. i cant wait to get the full set.
 
I looked at both Slee and BIOR, why does the Slee have so many holes in it? Seems like they may get snagged on something...
 
Access to certain bolts and also for drainage (mud)... and possibly holes for cooling. But I think the pictures on his website are of the old model. Some of the position and sizes of holes have changed.
 
hoser said:
Access to certain bolts and also for drainage (mud)... and possibly holes for cooling. But I think the pictures on his website are of the old model. Some of the position and sizes of holes have changed.
Click to expand...

Also saves some weight. Probably not a substantial amount, but some.

I have the BIOR, it is very well made and lines up perfectly. I really like that it is designed to accomodate a diff drop so you no longer have to deal with the aluminum spacers needed for the stock skids with a diff drop. It is far stronger without those spacers.
 
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