By F.J. (Rovercon) on Thursday, September 06, 2001 - 03:10 pm: Edit

I am looking to buy a Skid Plate for my '96 Disco but I don't know who sells them (besides the dealer -- they want $495 for the 10mm aluminum one. $500 seems a little steep, so I am looking for an after market one. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

By MTB on Thursday, September 06, 2001 - 03:29 pm: Edit

Go to Resources click on vendors and start shopping. AB RN RA BP are some that sell skids.

Michael B

By F.J. (Rovercon) on Thursday, September 06, 2001 - 04:02 pm: Edit

I see. Let me go check it out.

By F.J. (Rovercon) on Thursday, September 06, 2001 - 04:07 pm: Edit

Ahh thanks. any suggestions as to which is the best for the price?

By MTB on Thursday, September 06, 2001 - 04:22 pm: Edit

AB runs about $249
RA has Mantec alloy for $350
RN runs $400+
BP $299
DAP ???
Trek did not have pics or price.
southdownusa.com ???

They all have different thickness some don't post
As for quality on each model ???

Look for Diff Gards you dont want that pumpikn getting a hole in it

Good luck

By Rob Davison (Pokerob) on Thursday, September 06, 2001 - 04:47 pm: Edit

i am very satisfied with my AB galvanised steel front skid plate.

rd

By F.J. (Rovercon) on Thursday, September 06, 2001 - 05:01 pm: Edit

thanks for your time.

British Atlantic seems to give the best deal at $899.95 for the Aluminum Alloy Skid Plates for the gearbox, steering, and differantial guards or $719.95 for the heavy duty steel ones.

Unfortunately they don't say how thick they are. The Rovers North is 10mm Alloy for the steering one only and it cost $495!!

again, thanks for your help.

By F.J. (Rovercon) on Thursday, September 06, 2001 - 05:05 pm: Edit

they say they that the steel ones don't rust in their web site. that's my only concern (aside from the added weight). how long have you had them? they are $180 less for all four things and worth thinking about getting those instead.

By MTB on Thursday, September 06, 2001 - 05:26 pm: Edit

The one for $719 is the kit the one for $899 I think it's the front skid only there is nothing saying it is a kit. Pics show a kit the caption only says Front skid Check be for ordering if you go that way.

By Rob Davison (Pokerob) on Thursday, September 06, 2001 - 05:26 pm: Edit

i do not recommend the tranny plate!

i too got the "kit" because of there advertising.

after installing it i kept getting hung up on it, now that i have 2.5+ lift and bigger tires it's ok. if you want a tranny plate i'd call rockware and see what they have. www.rockware.net

i've had mine for two years and NO RUST. very satisfied! the build quailty is great too

http://www.discoweb.org/abskid/

the plate has bent and been banged up but seems to jsut keep taking it. they are heavy but i got so much crap on the truck now whats another 20lbs..

rd

By Rob Davison (Pokerob) on Thursday, September 06, 2001 - 05:29 pm: Edit

the kit was front plate, tranny plate, and two diffguards. i thought it was around $750.

supposed to be cheaper than buying all the pcs seperate.

By F.J. (Rovercon) on Thursday, September 06, 2001 - 06:00 pm: Edit

great advise. my '96 Disco is stock so i will wait on the tranny plate then. i noticed that on the picture the back of the plate was hanging down. was that for demonstration or is that the way it is?

i see that you also have the ARB bull bar. i was thinking about that as well sometime in the future. were there any conflicts between the two?

By Scott Tschantz (Scott) on Thursday, September 06, 2001 - 07:35 pm: Edit

FJ I also Have the AB steel front skid plate and I put it on four years ago and it still has not rusted and I live in the midwest the worst place for rust. I also have a ARB bumper and there were no problems between the two. I was looking at a old flyer from BP they have a aluminum steering protector for 250.00 It looks good you might want to give them a call

By Tom P. on Friday, September 07, 2001 - 03:53 am: Edit

F.J.,

Just my $0.02, but I'd skip the skid plates and just get the diff guards. That's your most exposed, weak link (impact-wise). The skids may help, but may hinder too - it's all terrain specific.

Did you remove your airdam yet? If not then you should do that first and trim the bumper end caps. Then see if your terrain demands a front skid plate.

FWIW, the only skid I run is under the gas tank.

Tom P.
96 Disco

By Rob Davison (Pokerob) on Friday, September 07, 2001 - 04:18 am: Edit

there are a number of reasons for and against the skid plate. all i'm saying is i'm satisfied with the quality and durability of the front plate and it's done it's job.

the tranny plate is also of good quality and very strong, i've had practically all of the weight of the disco on it and no bending. it hangs down so low that it is a serious hinderance.

the arb bumper is great and superstrong, it's a NON airbag version, so it's not going to bend if you use all 6 bolts making sure to ream out the biggest hole and use a 5/8" bolt.

there was serious spring sag with the bumper and the plate on the front so i got Old Man Emu HD springs.

then i got the winch and it sank even more so i got Rovertym spacers. one yoiu start down the path of modification , it becomes obsessive.. i will warn you of that.

so for now maybe just get the front skid plate and a diff guard. then the weight wont be an issue, causing you to need springs..

-rd

By Ron on Friday, September 07, 2001 - 04:24 am: Edit

get the front skid plate

I would say you would be better served by a damper relocation kit and HD steering links but that is just me.

Ron

By F.J. (Rovercon) on Friday, September 07, 2001 - 06:28 am: Edit

Tom P.

no i haven't done any mods to Disco yet. i was looking for some protection in case i hit something by mistake. i am a rookie to off-roading so i am taking baby steps. i will definetely get the diff guards and the gas tank skid plate since i already hit it last time i was in Hollister off-road park trying to go up something called the "stair case"

does the AB Steering Skid Plate hang down loose in the back like in that picture? if that's the case, that could be a real problem for my stock truck.

i was thinking about a winch and the ARB bull bar, but the weight was a concern and the money i would need to spend would force me to wait for a while.

one thing i've learned so far, this is not a cheap sport. thanks for the info guys.