Off Road Armor: Enhance Your Vehicle’s Defense
When you venture off road, you’re often subjecting your vehicle to much more grueling conditions than you’d see on the pavement. There are a variety of trail hazards to contend with including rocks, stumps, steel ledges, and holes that you wouldn’t have to worry about if you stay on the blacktop. No one wants to damage their vehicle off road, and having the right aftermarket armor can be the difference between a busted rig and making it home without damage. The most common armor includes front bumpers, rear bumpers, rock sliders, and skid plates. Let’s look at how each can help keep your vehicle protected off road.
Aftermarket Bumpers
Steel aftermarket bumpers can be an excellent way to armor up your vehicle’s front and rear end. Compared to original factory bumpers, good aftermarket steel front bumpers are much stronger. They can often take impacts better and can help to house other off-road accessories, such as winches, recovery points, and lights. Many front bumpers featured angled corners to help with approach angles off road, making the vehicle more capable off-road.
Rear aftermarket bumpers have many of the same features as front off-road bumpers. While specialized ones might hold a winch, many do allow the installation of aftermarket lights—great for reversing on the trail at night. Most also have tapered corners and a slimmer profile than factory bumpers. This allows for better departure angles off-road. Look for aftermarket rear bumpers with integrated recovery points, too. This will come in handy if you get stuck and need to be recovered.
It's important to have bumpers that wear a durable powder-coated finish. This will prevent corrosion and keep the bumpers looking great.
Side Armor
Boulders and stumps have a way of ruining unarmored quarter panels. Adding rock sliders or heavy duty side steps well help reduce the damage that can occur when on trails with these hazards. You’ll want to ensure your side armor, such as Ironman 4x4’s Heavy Duty Side Steps, can take those impacts. Standard side steps or running boards are not designed for that. You want high-quality armor, not simply an easy way to get into your rig. Ironman 4x4’s armor is made from sturdy steel that’s been robotically welded and powder coated. They take the durability of a rock slider and the convenience of a side step and merge the two for the best of both worlds.
Skid Plates
The underside of your vehicle is the most vulnerable to damage off road. Protecting it should definitely be on your list of upgrades. Factory plastic splash guards are not meant to take impacts from rocks and stumps. Metal skid plates help to protect vital undercarriage components, such as oil pans, differentials, and transmissions from trail damage.
You want skid plates that are made with thick metal and a framework that’s rigid and sturdy. Recessed hardware is important, as it won’t get hung up on obstacles and ruined. You also want maximum coverage for the best protection possible, as well as good powder coating and service inspection holes for critical chassis components.
Don’t Skimp on Armor
Unless you enjoy spending your cash and time fixing your vehicle, you don’t want to skimp on armor. Think of it as a cheap bit of insurance for your vehicle. The money spent here will save you money on costly fixes instead. So if you venture off-road, be sure to armor up; it’ll provide a big piece of mind on your next outing.