PSA - Get a transmission skid plate or replace the plastic pan

[HorizonHunter]

I was out off-roading in my lifted badsquatch on 37s. It comes with the steel skid plates and I sit fairly high off the ground.

The factory transmission pan isn't protected at all, and it is cheap, flimsy, brittle plastic. It weighs about a pound. I have been wheeling for about a decade in different vehicles and have lived in Utah with this bronco before I moved to NC. I'm not a noob to off-roading.

I ran over a branch and it punctured the transmission pan and ALL of the transmission fluid leaked out within a minute. I would have been stranded on the trail if I wasn't with another vehicle.

I ended up towing the bronco back home and replacing it with a PPE cast aluminum pan because it cost the same as a skid and I had to replace it anyway.

This is just a PSA, but it's a must if you go out....freak accident, but it was just a stick that brought me to a halt.

I haven't given much thought to upgrading plates that came with the Badlands, so this wasn't even on my radar. Focus has been on protecting suspension elements. If I'm running the 7MT, do I still need to be concerned?

Sponsored

 

[timhood]

Let's turn this into a thread about the pros and cons of each type of skid plate.

I've been meaning to do more research about my options with the 2.7, with skidplates that retain the factory cross member, allow me to keep my factory Badlands skid plates and ideally have access to the drain plug without removing the whole plate. (Lack of the last feature is not a deal-breaker.)

 

[diggs44060]

I did the aluminum Asfir trans pan and the Asfir transfer skid brace on my 2door 2.7 BadSquatch..then added the 2.7 cross member skids..

 

[CarbonSteel]

I was out off-roading in my lifted badsquatch on 37s. It comes with the steel skid plates and I sit fairly high off the ground.

The factory transmission pan isn't protected at all, and it is cheap, flimsy, brittle plastic. It weighs about a pound. I have been wheeling for about a decade in different vehicles and have lived in Utah with this bronco before I moved to NC. I'm not a noob to off-roading.

I ran over a branch and it punctured the transmission pan and ALL of the transmission fluid leaked out within a minute. I would have been stranded on the trail if I wasn't with another vehicle.

I ended up towing the bronco back home and replacing it with a PPE cast aluminum pan because it cost the same as a skid and I had to replace it anyway.

This is just a PSA, but it's a must if you go out....freak accident, but it was just a stick that brought me to a halt.

Get both. I installed RCI full aluminum skids to protect the full underbelly including the gas tank. I wish the transfer skid was a little longer, there is a wiring harness that is up high but still very exposed.

 

[Rednek]

I was out off-roading in my lifted badsquatch on 37s. It comes with the steel skid plates and I sit fairly high off the ground.

The factory transmission pan isn't protected at all, and it is cheap, flimsy, brittle plastic. It weighs about a pound. I have been wheeling for about a decade in different vehicles and have lived in Utah with this bronco before I moved to NC. I'm not a noob to off-roading.

I ran over a branch and it punctured the transmission pan and ALL of the transmission fluid leaked out within a minute. I would have been stranded on the trail if I wasn't with another vehicle.

I ended up towing the bronco back home and replacing it with a PPE cast aluminum pan because it cost the same as a skid and I had to replace it anyway.

This is just a PSA, but it's a must if you go out....freak accident, but it was just a stick that brought me to a halt.

After a couple creek crossings 2 summers ago and looking under vehicle at home finding sticks jammed up beside transmission went with a PPE pan also,didn't want to add a skid plate under as the cooler is there also.

 

[GaryB2220]

Solid PSA. Had seen similar prior and got the 4WP trans skid for $160 to my door. Excellent piece of mind.

its $250 and on backorder now

 

[Oldhippie]

I have a new LOD skid if anyone around here needs one $250…

 

[BrentC]

Does our transmission sit higher than the autos?

The manual gearbox does not have a plastic pan - the case is old school cast metal.

 

[Broncofly]

Great idea......I'm waiting for it to go on sale. PPE, do you guys offer us any discounts?

 

[Jossman]

I'll look into that one!

LOD best 1 as the xtra support on the struts!

 

[telenerd]

I’ve got the Rock Hard Belly Pan skids. Works great. Doesn’t catch on rocks and glides over stuff.

On another note, you should see how exposed the Ranger Raptor is. I just got it and everything is exposed, even the fancy valved exhaust and gas tank! Too bad not much is available now.

 

[Mirage]

Just installed metalcloak skids. Great fit and seamless fittings.

I love to see @Metalcloak stuff on other peoples rigs Their products are really nice, despite the price! I know you got your parts for free, but I had to buy mine. I had all their suspension/skids on my old '17 Jeep Rubicon too.

I just installed my Undercloak this weekend as well. They forgot to send me one of the mounting brackets, but they have amazing CS and are over-nighting it to me! I have an LoD Front Bumper/Skid Plate and thought about the rest of their skids, but just love MC too much. I'll probably have to add them on my wife's HEL as well, since we both go riding offroad!

 

[Mirage]

Solid PSA. Had seen similar prior and got the 4WP trans skid for $160 to my door. Excellent piece of mind.

its $250 and on backorder now

I wanted the complete 4WP Skid Plate Set, but they've been on backorder since May and won't return any of my emails, so I just went with Metalcloak

 

[Catmandu1999]

Asfir got right back to me today after asking what specific pan I needed for my Base 2.7, so I ordered one from them, along with a nice red rear tow hook to get free shipping. There are 5% coupons readily available online. Thanks to @SixEighty680 for the PSA!

 

[OrangecrushBronco]

Are you refering to the trans cooler that is basically looks like a flat radiator with the plastic waffle cover? I have an ARB skid plate on it but dang that cover would still be worth it in my opinion.

Sponsored