Adding Metal Skid Plates to Base Plastic Bumper

[Rayhurst]

I was looking to upgrade the undercarriage protection on my base sasquatch bronco before a big trip. I noticed there was very little protection, especially on things like the gas tank and engine which had none. Ford sells the full underbody skid plates but says that you need to have the modular bumper in order to install them, even though they look the exact same as the plastic ones but just in steel instead. Just wondering if anyone else has done this.

Here's the part number MB3Z-5D032-E .

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[Copperhorse73]

You’ll have to cut the tow rings off for it to go on

 

[mj63]

I did it, but cut 4 ~1"x1" slots out of the new front skid plate in order to keep the recovery points usable. There is a little bit of a gap between the plastic bumper cover and the skid plate, but you don't really notice it unless you are looking at the vehicle from a very low vantage point.

 

[Wannabe Techie]

I had the same question. Good to know

 

[mj63]

I should also note that I wasn't sure that a hard shackle would still fit on the front recovery points with the metal skid plate before cutting... fortunately they do still fit as do soft shackles.

 

[VoltageDrop]

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...t-on-a-base-2-door-with-plastic-bumper.36771/

 

[unfortunate]

I was looking to upgrade the undercarriage protection on my base sasquatch bronco before a big trip. I noticed there was very little protection, especially on things like the gas tank and engine which had none. Ford sells the full underbody skid plates but says that you need to have the modular bumper in order to install them, even though they look the exact same as the plastic ones but just in steel instead. Just wondering if anyone else has done this.

Here's the part number MB3Z-5D032-E .

@ASFIR 4x4 has skids made for the plastic bumper.

https://www.asfir.com/manufacturer/...ufacturer=7977&car_model=12598&car_year=12599

 

[libtech]

I did it, but cut 4 ~1"x1" slots out of the new front skid plate in order to keep the recovery points usable. There is a little bit of a gap between the plastic bumper cover and the skid plate, but you don't really notice it unless you are looking at the vehicle from a very low vantage point.

looks amazing. Almost factory!
Based on your experience. Can you install all the pieces in the factory kit and leave the front plastics skid? (To initially avoid any cutting?)

 

[mj63]

looks amazing. Almost factory!
Based on your experience. Can you install all the pieces in the factory kit and leave the front plastics skid? (To initially avoid any cutting?)

I would think so, but at least on the I4 that would leave your intercooler pretty exposed to getting crunched.

 

[dgorsett]

looks amazing. Almost factory!
Based on your experience. Can you install all the pieces in the factory kit and leave the front plastics skid? (To initially avoid any cutting?)

I put oem engine and transfer case skid on my bb with base bumper. Fit perfectly
Not worried about front plastic bash plate. On the 2.3 nothing important there, inter cooler is behind bumper. On v6's the trans cooler is back there.

 

[libtech]

I put oem engine and transfer case skid on my bb with base bumper. Fit perfectly
Not worried about front plastic bash plate. On the 2.3 nothing important there, inter cooler is behind bumper. On v6's the trans cooler is back there.

thank you. This was the exact info I was looking for. I have a BB with a normal bumper and Rear lockers. Building the poor man’s off-road machine.

 

[dgorsett]

thank you. This was the exact info I was looking for. I have a BB with a normal bumper and Rear lockers. Building the poor man’s off-road machine.

Same as I. BTW I made a brace for the tc skid like the asfir one for free.

And you will need a couple metric bolts an clip nuts for the tc plate

 

[Snacktime]

Plastic seems to be holding up fine on its own? Let's just say I have been surfing granite.

 

[libtech]

Same as I. BTW I made a brace for the tc skid like the asfir one for free.

And you will need a couple metric bolts an clip nuts for the tc plate

Interesting. The full 4 piece kit does not come with the 2 clips and 4 bolts for the transfer case?

 

[dgorsett]

Idk, I only got the engine and tc plates through ford parts (about $200) not the four piece kit.

Bolts and nuts from hardware store for a few bucks

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