Should I fit aluminum skid plates?

[Okkie]

I’ve got a question for you guys today. I have an offer for second-hand aluminum skid plates for the front and back at a reasonably good price, but I’m not sure if it’s a necessary or even a good upgrade. I think the flexibility of the current skid plates contributes to the overall strength and durability of the truck, and I’m worried that if I go with aluminum, it might bend in an accident or even cause other parts to fail. What are your thoughts on this?

 

[hwrd442]

The only thing I ever upgraded with aluminum was the front and rear diffs.

 

[Okkie]

I believe my diff is already aluminum alloy; the Savage X 4.6 came out like that. Are you talking about your diff casings? I know you can get those upgraded as well.

 

[hwrd442]

Yes. I already got some new diffs. I would stick with the plastic skid plates. They have worked for me since 2009.

 

[Vinni]

Alloy looks good but not best fo ripping about

 

[Okkie]

Thanks gus I decided to stick with the original plastic ones.

 

[guinnessdublin]

Yes as others stick with plastic, alloy looks nice on shelf only! 👍🏻

 

[Okkie]

But I’m probably going to upgrade the shock towers to aluminum because mine are starting to bend. I’ve got the single shock version, and it’s literally pushing the shock towers to one side. I can’t swap them around because the shock interferes with the steering.

 

[guinnessdublin]

You must be doing some seriously high jumping to bend your towers, that’s something I have never done.
If me I would keep plastic & just replace tower each time as if metal energy will just transfer to shocks & bend them, having to replace bent piston & rebuild them each time!