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Purchased my 22 Big Bend 4dr in July, and have been slowly exploring local trails and would like to add some underbody protection to it. It came with the plastic bumper and splash guard, and the previous owner or original dealer added RC tube steps, and did the wheels and tires. Not a fan of the tube steps (and they already have surface rust) so I’d like to change them out, and then add some level of skid plates and slider steps. Plans are outlined below, would love to hear feedback or guidance on options to look at.
Here is what I’m thinking gear wise, as a starting point.
Front Bumper:
Swap on an oem “capable bumper” or something along the lines of the DV8 oe+, or the body armor bumper. Not currently planning to run a winch, and don’t like the big underbite look.
From reading here, it seems like swapping the front bumper for a capable bumper is doable, but the tow hooks need to be modified/swapped. Trying to decide on if I should try and go that route and find a take off, or go with an aftermarket bumper
Skid Plates:
Leaning towards ford oem, mainly for the gas tank skid and for cost (like 653 with ford sales)Every post about that skid seems to have nothing but good things to say about it. This is also sort of driving the bumper replacement, because as far as I can tell most skid plates aren’t compatible with the plastic bumper
sliders
Either RCI or goat fab. I’be considered factory take offs and then slider steps like the iags’s, but feel like the rci and goat fab will provide better protection.
not too concerned with rear bumper, its lowest on my priority list.
Here is what I’m thinking gear wise, as a starting point.
Front Bumper:
Swap on an oem “capable bumper” or something along the lines of the DV8 oe+, or the body armor bumper. Not currently planning to run a winch, and don’t like the big underbite look.
From reading here, it seems like swapping the front bumper for a capable bumper is doable, but the tow hooks need to be modified/swapped. Trying to decide on if I should try and go that route and find a take off, or go with an aftermarket bumper
Skid Plates:
Leaning towards ford oem, mainly for the gas tank skid and for cost (like 653 with ford sales)Every post about that skid seems to have nothing but good things to say about it. This is also sort of driving the bumper replacement, because as far as I can tell most skid plates aren’t compatible with the plastic bumper
sliders
Either RCI or goat fab. I’be considered factory take offs and then slider steps like the iags’s, but feel like the rci and goat fab will provide better protection.
not too concerned with rear bumper, its lowest on my priority list.
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