Buyers Guide: Must-Have Bronco Skid Plates

It is no surprise many of the 2021+ Ford Bronco models come with OEM Skid Plates from the factory. However, there is some question when it comes to the quality of those factory Skid Plates. That ultimately depends upon how you plan to use your Bronco. If your plans are to do easy dirt roads occasionally, the factory Skid Plates are perfect. However, if you are thinking you might do some more challenging trails that could involve rocks, ruts, etc. looking into a full aftermarket Skid Plate Package might be in your best interest. Bronco Brigade is a the industry leader in 2021+ Ford Bronco parts and accessories and is proud to offer Skid Plates from industry leading brands including RCI Offroad, CBI Offroad, and more.

When it comes to underbody protection on the Bronco, quite frankly there is a lot you can protect and probably should. This includes your engine area, transmission, transfer case, fuel tank, a-arms, cross members, and more. Really the ultimate goal for any off-roader or overlander is to have full coverage so the options are endless. This can partially be attained by buying a Full Skid Plate Package or by buying individual Skid Plates depending upon your needs. RCI Offroad and CBI Offroad are go to names in the industry and have proven themselves time and time again. Below we will look at the offerings from each of those companies.

Our sister company Truck Brigade has worked with  RCI Offroad for many years and has sold hundreds of their Skid Plates for Trucks and SUVs. Their Bronco Skid Plates are their newest offering, and are building on the long running reputation RCI has built over the years. RCI Offroad offers a Full Skid Plate Package for the Bronco that includes an Engine Skid Plate, Transmission Skid Plate, and Transfer Case Skid Plate. This Skid Package is a great place to start and is available in either steel or aluminum. For those demanding more protection, RCI also offers a Fuel Tank Skid Plate, A-Arm Skid Plates, Rear Differential Skid Plate, Cross Member Skid Plates, and Pinch Seam Covers. All these provide enhanced protection for exposed areas on the Bronco. In our own experience with our Bronco, all of these are crucial especially the Fuel Tank Skid Plate and Rear Differential Skid Plate.

Most RCI Skid Plates are available in either steel or aluminum. The aluminum option is great for those concerned about weight while the steel Skid Plates provide the most durability for those who might utilize their Skid Plates a lot. RCI also offers their Skid Plates with an optional black powdercoat finish. Integrated doors or ports are included with RCI Skid Plates making oil changes and other service a breeze by not having to remove the entire Skid Plate. All RCI Skid Plates are completely bolt-on and will come with all required hardware.

CBI Offroad is another company that has led the industry when it comes to quality. They have been manufacturing Skid Plates (and many other products) for nearly a decade for numerous vehicles and recently launched their line of Bronco Skid Plates. CBI currently offers a Front Skid Plate, Rear Skid Plate, Transfer Case Skid Plate, and Gas Tank Skid Plate. Their Bronco Front Skid Plate is designed to protect the engine portion of the Bronco while the Rear Skid Plate is designed to protect the transmission area on the Bronco. The Transfer Case Skid and Gas Tank Skid obviously protect those items. CBI does and has historically offered other types of Skid Plates such as A-Arm Skid Plates. While these are not available for the Bronco currently we might see CBI Offroad offer additional Skid Plates for the Bronco in the future.

CBI Bronco Skid Plates are currently only available in steel, but we are expecting CBI to offer their Bronco Skid Plates in aluminum in the future. A black powdercoat finish is optional on all CBI Offroad Skid Plates. One feature worth noting on CBI Offroad Skid Plates is how they are drilled and slotted. This design feature prevents rocks, mud, dirt and more from getting lodged between the top of the Skid Plate and vital Bronco components. CBI Skid Plates also include service ports allowing you to access items like drain plugs without removing the entire Skid Plate.

Skid Plates for the Bronco are important and a must-have in our opinion especially if you do not have factory Skid Plates. Factory Skid Plates tend to be built with thinner material and are not as durable as some aftermarket options like what CBI Offroad and RCI Offroad offer. Therefore, if you plan to encounter rocks, ruts, etc. and see yourself doing some moderate to difficult trails, we highly recommend ditching the factory Skid Plates for something that will offer better protection. Both the brands highlighted here feature thicker material than stock and offer better coverage. It is not just better coverage and thicker material with the Skid Plates from these brands though as RCI Offroad offers some unique protection not found from the factory. That includes their Cross Member Skid Plates and Pinch Seam Covers. You cannot go wrong with any of the Bronco Skid Plates from these trusted brands.

Bronco Brigade is the industry leading one-stop-shop for everything Ford Bronco including Bronco Skid Plates. If you have any questions, please reach out to our team of Bronco experts wo would be happy to assist.