Does it make sense to remove bash plates?

[wrbix]

On the subject of corrosion protection, coming from the General Aviation world I plan to use CorrosionX - much less sticky, easier to apply, smells pretty good (LOL). Some may see the less sticky as a downside but it seems to creep and penetrate everywhere water and brine might. On my airplane it continues to seep out of seams, etc for months after application.
It has been a tried and true aviation product for, I believe, decades.

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[710-oil-614]

You’re totally hitting upon some of my concerns: brine and salt (I’m in Ohio). Another friend recommended FluidFilming too, and even gave me a “trial” can. I don’t have access to a lift and am wondering if I should splurge for some kind of jack stands and get all greasy before bad weather really hits…

I've got two sets of ramps that will allow me to get the Bronco up on all 4 wheels. However - I've got a BaseSquatch that only has about 3 inches of clearance into my garage. So I've got to be able to pull in, close the garage, and then drive the Bronco up on the ramps - not looking forward to it at all.

Going to at least broach the topic with the dealership of letting me apply it on one of their lifts but I know that isn't going anywhere.

My other alternative is that I am strongly debating doing away with the Goodyears on day 1 - if the roads aren't covered (they will be) I might ask the shop putting my tires on if I can sneak in and toss it all on.

 

[Mike E]

Guys these vehicles are meant to be driven, used and abused….they’re not collector vehicles…..bash plates are for bashing…. If you don’t like the fuel mileage buy a Prius.

 

[lobbs611]

No

 

[Gamecock]

I’m considering whether or not it makes sense to remove the factory bash plates for everyday-type driving, as a weight and fuel cost saving feature and minimize exposure to road salt this winter… and I’m not afraid to admit I’m a noob (never had bashplates on my 4Runner or FJ).

I figure I can put them back on when I hit the trails in the summer, right? Is this smart, stupid, crazy, dangerous? Help.

Just leave them on...the fuel savings would be unnoticeable, those plates are pretty thin. What a pain that would be to take them off, store them, and then put them back on at some point....don't do it.

 

[Jdc]

If you want to save on fuel than just taking off 100lbs of sprung weight won't net you much.

Your best bet would be to reduce your rotational weight. That would be best if you are only worried about fuel savings and can also make it feel more peppy.

As far as fuel savings go, this is the best answer. I'd also add to this skinnier and less aggressive tires.

 

[JPG]

I’m considering whether or not it makes sense to remove the factory bash plates for everyday-type driving, as a weight and fuel cost saving feature and minimize exposure to road salt this winter… and I’m not afraid to admit I’m a noob (never had bashplates on my 4Runner or FJ).

I figure I can put them back on when I hit the trails in the summer, right? Is this smart, stupid, crazy, dangerous? Help.

You definitively had a factory bash/skid plate on your FJ, unless you bought it used and it was taken off before you bought it. I know, i did...

As for the weight/gas thing, you really think a 2 lbs plate ( IF it is that heavy ) will make any difference in gas mileage ? Also the plate will PROTECT your engine against salt and snow.

Leave everything as it is, get a good antirust treatment ( Krown is a good one ) or do the Fluid Film thing, i personally don't have time to waste doing that. So i have it made.

 

[BroncoAZ]

On the subject of corrosion protection, coming from the General Aviation world I plan to use CorrosionX - much less sticky, easier to apply, smells pretty good (LOL). Some may see the less sticky as a downside but it seems to creep and penetrate everywhere water and brine might. On my airplane it continues to seep out of seams, etc for months after application.
It has been a tried and true aviation product for, I believe, decades.

I’ve heard good things about CorrosionX as well. I want whichever product sand sticks to less, not sure which one that is. FluidFilm is readily available at most auto or marine parts stores where I live, so that could be a factor as well.

I've got two sets of ramps that will allow me to get the Bronco up on all 4 wheels. However - I've got a BaseSquatch that only has about 3 inches of clearance into my garage. So I've got to be able to pull in, close the garage, and then drive the Bronco up on the ramps - not looking forward to it at all.

Going to at least broach the topic with the dealership of letting me apply it on one of their lifts but I know that isn't going anywhere.

My other alternative is that I am strongly debating doing away with the Goodyears on day 1 - if the roads aren't covered (they will be) I might ask the shop putting my tires on if I can sneak in and toss it all on.

Maybe put out some feelers on a local offroad group, someone has a lift at their house they might let you use for a case of beer or something. I doubt the tire shop (unless a little mom and pop) will be allowed to let you use their bay due to insurance restrictions. If you are .mil or have a friend who is, some bases used to have an auto shop for service members to use. I’m not certain if that is still the case.

Living in AZ where nothing rusted my whole life I’ve never done the coating in the past. I saw a thread on here where the guy wrapped certain things in aluminum foil to keep the coating off plastic and aluminum parts. Apparently there are sprayer straws for inside the frame as well. I need to do more research, but if I could find a good shop to do a comprehensive job for under $500 I’d likely just pay rather than making a mess in my cold garage.

 

[BigMex]

I love this forum and thank you all for your feedback. We don't all agree and we can be a cranky lot from time to time, and I appreciate all the different answers above. You all rock!

Great perspectives! Thanks so much and keep ‘em coming!

 

[Bob Blaylock]

I’m considering whether or not it makes sense to remove the factory bash plates for everyday-type driving, as a weight and fuel cost saving feature and minimize exposure to road salt this winter… and I’m not afraid to admit I’m a noob (never had bashplates on my 4Runner or FJ).

I figure I can put them back on when I hit the trails in the summer, right? Is this smart, stupid, crazy, dangerous? Help.

I don't know how vulnerable the Bronco is to catalytic converter theft, but I have to think that bash plates would make a rather significant difference. Given how bad this problem is becoming here in California, I'd keep the bash plates for that reason alone, if I had no other.

 

[Bob Blaylock]

I convinced my dealer to deliver my Bronco to my house before the paperwork was completed because it was supposed to snow the next day and the roads would be salted. They were cool about it.

It’s sitting safety in my garage with 14.9 miles on the odometer until I have a chance to fluid film it, or I’ll just wait until spring to drive since it’s not a daily driver.

Someone who worries that much about a little salt isn't the sort of person for whom the Bronco was meant.

The Bronco wasn't built to be kept as a carefully pampered and preserved museum piece in the garage of someone who is afraid to take it out into the rougher parts of The Real World.

 

[Bob Blaylock]

Guys these vehicles are meant to be driven, used and abused….they’re not collector vehicles…..bash plates are for bashing…. If you don’t like the fuel mileage buy a Prius.

In my response to @BroncoAZ, one bit of snark that I had typed, but then removed before I saved it, was a suggestion that perhaps he should have bought a Prius instead.

That was well before I saw your post.

 

[BigMex]

Someone who worries that much about a little salt isn't the sort of person for whom the Bronco was meant.

The Bronco wasn't built to be kept as a carefully pampered and preserved museum piece in the garage of someone who is afraid to take it out into the rougher parts of The Real World.

Respectfully, I feel there is a difference between salt damage and off roadin' damage. Scratches, dents, and other real world stuff comes from fun, is almost immediately detectable, and is usually quite reparable. Road salt and brine, on the other hand, is a silent killer that destroys vehicles here in the midwest with ZERO fun, almost no notice, and rust will eventually attack frames and other vital components.

I am pampering and preserving my Bronco precisely so that it is in top form WHEN I take it to go rough-and-tumble.

It isn't pampering for a Californian to avoid parking a Bronco in a high theft area anymore than it is for an Ohioan to take measures to avoid road salt and brine in the winter time.

Stay pumped!

 

[BigMex]

Guys these vehicles are meant to be driven, used and abused….they’re not collector vehicles…..bash plates are for bashing…. If you don’t like the fuel mileage buy a Prius.

I wouldn't remove bash plates JUST for fuel savings. My biggest concern is rust and corrosion from salt & brine. WHEN I go bashing, I don't want rust from winter to be a worry. IF, however, removing bash plates helps to avoid trapping roadsalt AND can moderately improve my current 17.8 realworld mileage to date, why not? Less $$$ for gas means more $$$ for ditch lights, a compressor, a winch, etc.

I never expected anything better than 19mpg or so... and if I can save some cheddar, why not?

 

[BroncoAZ]

Someone who worries that much about a little salt isn't the sort of person for whom the Bronco was meant.

The Bronco wasn't built to be kept as a carefully pampered and preserved museum piece in the garage of someone who is afraid to take it out into the rougher parts of The Real World.

Doing an initial coating of a rust preventative prior to exposure to corrosive salt is hardly pampering, it’s a necessity on vehicles to prevent an early demise. I saw an ad for a nice FJ here recently for short money, the truck was clean inside and out, but the frame was rotted so bad it was collapsing. I don’t particularly want to throw my Bronco away in 10 years.

@Bob Blaylock you can save your Prius snark, you don’t know me. In my 20+ years involved in the hobby I’ve done more rock damage to my previous Bronco and other trucks using them hard in Moab and around AZ than most people could stomach. Adding proper trail armor to prevent damage is just as necessary as rust preventative.

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