underbody skid plates on a 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 BigHorn

[arod412]

Good morning all. Dumb question here, but i noticed that my ram doesn't have a underbody skid plate right underneath the engine. My truck is a 4x4 so do i need to worry about it?

I don't go off roading or do anything crazy when it comes to using 4x4, but i do love to play in deep snow from time to time in the winter.

 

[quietpeen]

that's got me wondering if my truck does.....it might not

btw i moved this to the exterior section

 

[Musclemckeester]

I may be wrong on this, but I think only the TRX (Outdoorsman) come with skid plates.

Makes no sense to me why you buy a 4x4 and it doesn't have skid plates...but I guess they found that an area they could cut costs.

 

[arod412]

Thanks Quietpeen for moving it. I will get again when i get home. It's obvious to find the main front plate for the skid plate. (its right under the engine) are there other skids plates underneath my truck that i should look for? I might even send pics if i have time.

It's just strange that when i look underneath, i just see the engine. Normally, it's blocked by the skid plate.

 

[arod412]

nice plate bighorn4life. Do you have a lift? Im just curious what do the factory skid plate look like.

 

[arod412]

I took some pictures this morning underneath my truck at the parking lot and infact there is no skid plate.

Ok, so now that i don't have it, should i get one? Will it interfere with any engine components, cooling off of the engine, or add alot of weight to cause the MPG to go up?

How much does it cost to get one, and do i need to do any kind of extensive drilling to install it to the frame of the truck? I'm a newbie when it comes to installing stuff, but i like to tinker with my truck. I did manage to install a radio on my truck, so i'm not completly clueless...lol

 

[jlb]

The functionality of the stock front skid plate is questionable at best I would say. The front lip sticks out so far in front of the suspension bracket that it wouldn't surprise me if I ended up catching it on something I might otherwise miss lol

I wouldn't worry about it much if I were you. Drive intelligently and you won't likely have any problems. Drive like an idiot, and they aren't going to save you anyway. If you do drag your front end over one, and it happens to save all your components keep in mind the next thing in line is your rear drive line.

I have half a mind to remove the ones that came on my Outdoorsman, and make my own, but then again, the ground clearance on these trucks is such a joke anyway, I will never even try to do anything much with it anyway, other than light 4-wheeling at best, and even then the irrigation ditches on my family's ranch put this thing to the test.

But hey, all of us know your real off-roader is dented, and dinged so you don't have to care, these new trucks are just show boats pretty much.

Don't worry about the skid plates, just be smart if you are driving somewhere questionable.

 

[S2kiHemi]

Skid plates are an option when you buy the truck so unless you ordered your truck then most likely the dealer won't order the truck with skid plates to save some $$$$. They are pretty cheap though.

DODGE RAM 1500 2500 3500 4X4 FRONT SUSPENSION SKID PLATE STEEL MOPAR OEM NEW | eBay

 

[jlb]

For anyone reading this thread in the future. If that EBay link is still active I would be careful about ordering these plates for anything more than the 1500...

Since the HD trucks have a live front axle (not independent suspension) if you are 4wd I don't think they would fit. Maybe they would on the 2wd trucks, but then why would you want skid plates anyway.

 

[GhostRam94]

My dad 11 doesn't have any either, it's a sport

 

[Trupiano]

Would be a good modification, even if you don't go offroad. You never know what you'll run into.

 

[jlb]

Just keep in mind that most things that will hit your skid plate, are also probably high enough to hit the air dam on the bottom of your bumper as well. I think there is at best a 2in difference, but I can't really recall since I took my bumper off right after getting my truck since it was so low.

 

[buttram]

So how about for gravel road driving? In my magnum, i can hear so many rocks hit the under body and I don't want that happening to my new ram

 

[Sagebrush2500]

For anyone reading this thread in the future. If that EBay link is still active I would be careful about ordering these plates for anything more than the 1500...

Since the HD trucks have a live front axle (not independent suspension) if you are 4wd I don't think they would fit. Maybe they would on the 2wd trucks, but then why would you want skid plates anyway.

THanks for this feedback - again, a big part of the reason I pay attention to this forum is for good advice like this.

 

[garner]

Yeah skidplates are included in the protection group which is optional on every 1500 trim except outdoorsman/trx4

 

[Docwagon1776]

So how about for gravel road driving? In my magnum, i can hear so many rocks hit the under body and I don't want that happening to my new ram

Skid plates are for things like hitting a stump or a big rock. The skid plate, (which is designed for it) eats it, instead of your oil pan (which isn't designed for it)

I've never felt the need for one, especially if you aren't doing any serious off roading.

 

[gotbrains230]

Ive never felt the need for one either
but, my buddies 2500 Duramax has on it, and it looks awesome

 

[Gardenfan]

If you don't go offroad, you don't need it. I have already used mine once crossing a deep rut.

Sent from my HTC Ruby using Tapatalk 2

 

[CAM~OUTDOORSMAN]

Don't we just love those OUTDORSMAN My skid plate is pretty thick and nice...when i change the oil, I like to use it to pull and push myself around. Well, that and save my precious HEMI from the hell it goes over lol I have two, both mounted on the crossmembers of course. I believe anybody who ever puts a wheel on anything but pavement should at least have something down there. Heck, the other day I was riding with my little brother on the highway and topped a hill and there sits a dang bag of trash! Of course I had to run over it because of traffic...all I'm saying is that they can and are very useful. They definately serve a purpose. Simple to install or so it seems. Just a plate and some screws really. Probably could make some customs possibly...bolt on or weld it to the crossmembers.

 

[CAM~OUTDOORSMAN]

To answer the opening thread, all I can say is that they are very useful. Would definately come in handy if you already have a 4x4...but more imporrtant than anything else, just be a smart driver.