Ford transfer case skid installed on Base Bronco (with part numbers)

[anomdeplume]

I ordered the transfer case skid plate and hardware from https://www.ruxerparts.com/ (kudos to @flip for helping me to resolve a missing bolts from the order issue). The part numbers for the plate, 2 nuts, and 4 bolts are below. Shipping was $15. There are better plates out there but for the adventures I’m planning in Florida this is great and a good value. The money saved by not buying an aftermarket transfer case skid is going toward an aftermarket transmission skid.

Parts delivered. Not worried about the scratches. I’ll just touch up or add more stickers later.

U-nuts placed on driver side frame rail.

Before plate installed.

Paint can and block of wood to help steady placement.

Install complete. Bolts need 15mm wrench to tighten.

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[Wilbur's son]

Congrats on the value stock part upgrade.

 

[Aonarch]

I did the same thing, for $40-50 it is a steal.

 

[mb86gt]

Thank you for posting this, especially with part numbers!
I will be ordering for my base.

 

[dgorsett]

You can also fabricate a rear support for the skid with 1 1/4 bar. ASFIR sells one as well. Look at it to see how to fab

 

[Winds of Change]

I ordered the transfer case skid plate and hardware from https://www.ruxerparts.com/ (kudos to @flip for helping me to resolve a missing bolts from the order issue). The part numbers for the plate, 2 nuts, and 4 bolts are below. Shipping was $15. There are better plates out there but for the adventures I’m planning in Florida this is great and a good value. The money saved by not buying an aftermarket transfer case skid is going toward an aftermarket transmission skid.

Parts delivered. Not worried about the scratches. I’ll just touch up or add more stickers later.

U-nuts placed on driver side frame rail.

Before plate installed.

Paint can and block of wood to help steady placement.

Install complete. Bolts need 15mm wrench to tighten.

My Obx SaS didnt have any skid plates. I bought the Ford Skid plate kit And had it installed by Ford for under a grand. Labor Day sale helped. I installed the Mabett transmission skid plate. For now it will more that do.

 

[BobN - USAF]

Excellent. I went the Mabett route for the transmission skid first because I was concerned about the plastic pan of the auto transmission. Very beefy aluminum, I think it is a good value.

Then because I have a 23 BBX with plastic bash plates (what a joke for an "off-road" vehicle), I added Broaddict front and engine bash plates. I can't really recommend them as they are only about 3mm(!) thick. But it was better than plastic and will do until I decide to upgrade.

For the transfer case I went with the ASFIR plate. It has more coverage than the factory but surely more costly. Fast shipping all the way from Israel via DHL. Very easy to install and it has that rear support that was mentioned in another post here.

Saving my pennies to add the ASFIR gas tank plates. And then maybe redo the front and engine plates with ASFIR. Maybe. I'm also in Florida. 3mm might be enough. LOL.

 

[Jazer]

I did the same thing recently. Also including modifying the front steel bash plate to fit the standard plastic bumper & added steel engine skid.

 

[fitterhappier]

Excellent. I went the Mabett route for the transmission skid first because I was concerned about the plastic pan of the auto transmission. Very beefy aluminum, I think it is a good value.

Then because I have a 23 BBX with plastic bash plates (what a joke for an "off-road" vehicle), I added Broaddict front and engine bash plates. I can't really recommend them as they are only about 3mm(!) thick. But it was better than plastic and will do until I decide to upgrade.

For the transfer case I went with the ASFIR plate. It has more coverage than the factory but surely more costly. Fast shipping all the way from Israel via DHL. Very easy to install and it has that rear support that was mentioned in another post here.

Saving my pennies to add the ASFIR gas tank plates. And then maybe redo the front and engine plates with ASFIR. Maybe. I'm also in Florida. 3mm might be enough. LOL.

I was in the same boat - shredded my plastic skids after a trip to Arizona. Went with the ASFIR front, engine, transmission and fuel skids. They’re pricey but excellent.

One thing - I also had the Mabett transmission skid but the ASFIR fuel skid won’t fit without cutting it; just heads up.

 

[BobN - USAF]

One thing - I also had the Mabett transmission skid but the ASFIR fuel skid won’t fit without cutting it; just heads up.

Interesting. I have the ASFIR transfer case skid and I haven't crawled under the vehicle in a while but where does the end closer to the engine mount that the transmission skid caused the problem. Any pictures? Thanks!

PS, I was looking at the install video.
I don't see how it would be an issue so any further insight would be great. I know they had a warning about removing a lame bracket if you have a Big Bend (which I do) on the transfer case install. When I installed the Mabett transmission skid I cut off about off of the Ford BB skid thingy so that it would fit.

 

[subg]

You can also fabricate a rear support for the skid with 1 1/4 bar. ASFIR sells one as well. Look at it to see how to fab

Link to the support I can buy?

Tnx

 

[Ryan Feilner]

I ordered the transfer case skid plate and hardware from https://www.ruxerparts.com/ (kudos to @flip for helping me to resolve a missing bolts from the order issue). The part numbers for the plate, 2 nuts, and 4 bolts are below. Shipping was $15. There are better plates out there but for the adventures I’m planning in Florida this is great and a good value. The money saved by not buying an aftermarket transfer case skid is going toward an aftermarket transmission skid.

Parts delivered. Not worried about the scratches. I’ll just touch up or add more stickers later.

U-nuts placed on driver side frame rail.

Before plate installed.

Paint can and block of wood to help steady placement.

Install complete. Bolts need 15mm wrench to tighten.

What about the back bar that I believe goes in the missing hole pointing to the rear passenger side.... Can this bar get purchased too? If you hit a rock it will move the skid to the transfer case...

 

[derichio02]

I ordered the transfer case skid plate and hardware from https://www.ruxerparts.com/ (kudos to @flip for helping me to resolve a missing bolts from the order issue). The part numbers for the plate, 2 nuts, and 4 bolts are below. Shipping was $15. There are better plates out there but for the adventures I’m planning in Florida this is great and a good value. The money saved by not buying an aftermarket transfer case skid is going toward an aftermarket transmission skid.

Parts delivered. Not worried about the scratches. I’ll just touch up or add more stickers later.

U-nuts placed on driver side frame rail.

Before plate installed.

Paint can and block of wood to help steady placement.

Install complete. Bolts need 15mm wrench to tighten.

Is the part number the same for both the 2-door and 4-door? Is your vehicle a 4-door?

 

[old 4 wheeler]

You can also fabricate a rear support for the skid with 1 1/4 bar. ASFIR sells one as well. Look at it to see how to fab

good idea !

 

[Bill K]

Excellent. I went the Mabett route for the transmission skid first because I was concerned about the plastic pan of the auto transmission. Very beefy aluminum, I think it is a good value.

Then because I have a 23 BBX with plastic bash plates (what a joke for an "off-road" vehicle), I added Broaddict front and engine bash plates. I can't really recommend them as they are only about 3mm(!) thick. But it was better than plastic and will do until I decide to upgrade.

For the transfer case I went with the ASFIR plate. It has more coverage than the factory but surely more costly. Fast shipping all the way from Israel via DHL. Very easy to install and it has that rear support that was mentioned in another post here.

Saving my pennies to add the ASFIR gas tank plates. And then maybe redo the front and engine plates with ASFIR. Maybe. I'm also in Florida. 3mm might be enough. LOL.

I too have a 2023 Big Bend with the plastic front and rear engine skid plates. I received a letter in the mail from Ford telling me that they would swap them out with steel ones. I called my dealer and parts are on order. Should be WAY better than the plastic ones!

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