Bronco Bash Plates Protection Level?

[SafariJeff]

I looked and couldn't find a thread for the undercarriage bash plates so thought I would start one. As I watched the videos of Rubicon, I noticed the bash plates sounded 'tinny' and looked thin as they scraped across the rocks. Again, taking into account the gross vehicle weight issues popping up every where, I was wondering what was the consensus was out there. I am not going with the steel bumper from Ford since the I am looking for receiver hitch winch mount for the front bumper to avoid the 360 view and cruse control blockage issues. On my Defender and Discovery rigs I had solid aluminum plate safari guards but the weight was brutal.

Main question, for the WT that I am leaning to (not mentioning the interior multicolor mess or possible no power seat options) do you think think these will protect from the undercarriage enough if not heavy duty rock crawling?

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[Silver-Bolt]

Not a chance the factory "bash plates" will hold up to rock use. If they are thicker than 16ga I will be surprised. They will make great templates for real skid plates.

 

[mostly harmless]

I would not pay extra for the factory bash plates.

If they happen to be included on the particular trim you are getting, I’m sure they are better than nothing and I wouldn’t worry too much if you are not hardcore rock crawling.

But if they are not already included on your trim I’m sure you could find something better and probably cheaper in the aftermarket, if you can wait.

 

[ColbyFromBama]

I know there’s a difference between the standard bash plates, and the steel ones that come on the higher trims. But I have yet to see a visual comparison.

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