BAMF LCA skids

papabeach

papabeach

Member


(not my rig...but it sure is pretty nice)

Few questions for all of you running BAMF LCA skids or other comparable setups (I don't know of any other than custom).

1) What kind of wheeling necessitates such armor?

2) Has it saved your since you added it or is it just peace of mind knowing you have it?

3) Is it just cheap insurance...so do it?

4) What is the worst damage you have seen for folks that wish they had it but didn't?


I am in the process of building my rig for more camping/overlanding type use...with less emphasis on rock crawling. Years ago when I lived in Colorado and first bought my 4Runner, I wheeled stock but wasn't doing anything hard core...still I was able to get through more then I could imagine with minimal effort and no damage.

As life would have it school, marriage, kids have moved me all of the country and my rig became more of a street queen with some performance mods. I am now shifting back to where I started years ago and trying to decide what armor is recommended/necessary/over-the-top/or just cheap insurance. I am not planning on heavy rock-crawling unless required to get to wherever I end up going.

Any advice/experience is appreciated. I have been quietly hanging out on this website for a couple years but now really getting more serious.
 
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Interesting, didn't know they made these for our trucks. Honestly I have never seen the need though. Never have I ever damaged or seen an LCA damaged on the trail. Putting a little effort into picking a line should make these obsolete and in my opinion is most of the fun. I like seeing where I can get my truck without doing stupid shit. A gas tank skid or RCAMS is money much better spent on these trucks IMHO.
 
papabeach said:
Few questions for all of you running BAMF LCA skids or other comparable setups (I don't know of any other than custom).

1) What kind of wheeling necessitates such armor? Any really. They're like any skids in a sense that it's purely preventative from tearing up the underside of your vehicle. If you're doing any wheeling where rock is the majority, I would consider them. Let me state though, they're not an absolute necessity.

2) Has it saved you since you added it or is it just peace of mind knowing you have it? I'd like to think so, but that's personal preference. I've got some nice size gouges in mine. Whether they've necessarily "saved" my lower control arms from catastrophic damage, probably not. I guess you could call it peace of mind.

3) Is it just cheap insurance...so do it? Again, depends on your terrain. If you wheel a good amount and it's in rocks, sure go for it.

4) What is the worst damage you have seen for folks that wish they had it but didn't? None here
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A couple notes I might add is that these things are most likely overkill for the average wheeler. I can say that in the time I've been on this forum I've never seen someone just completely shred their lower control arms. OEM LCA's are made pretty tough. Which brings me to my second note is that installing these skids are a complete PITA. You have to drill through the hardened steel that they are and let me tell you they'll break even industrial bits if you're not careful. If you get these and plan to install them with the truck sitting on the ground, get ready for a workout. To be honest, the main reason I got these was b/c they had just came out and seemed cool, and they were on a group buy (so a lot cheaper).

TCMach said:
Paging [MENTION=58830]JWaldz[/MENTION] probably the hardest wheeling guy who has them on here
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:D
 
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papabeach said:
I am in the process of building my rig for more camping/overlanding type use...with less emphasis on rock crawling.
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Based on this ^ I don't think you will need them, and like [MENTION=108751]ARC[/MENTION] said most of the time you can pick a line that makes something like this unnecessary.

However I agree with [MENTION=58830]JWaldz[/MENTION] that any skid is a good preventive measure.

I have never seen anybody do significant damage to their LCA. Bending the rear lower control arms or the mount is a real possibility though.
 
I have plans to make a set of these for myself. Not because I NEED them, but for piece of mind, and I like doing little projects like that. I want to design them so I don't need to drill through the thick section of the LCA though, if I can figure out a way to do it.

It seems like a nice little project for next winter.
 
Seems like a cool project to add.
Bandit, what about the idea of making a "sandwich" design that takes a few bolts to put together, with the bolt tension holding them tight to the LCAs? Bend them in such a way that the contours of the LCA keep them centered where you want them. It's just my first thought, without actually getting under there and looking at what needs to be done :)

If I had the ability to bend up steel plate, I'd kinda go crazy making skids for every section of my under-belly. Rear diff is one place I really want a skid guard!
 
JWaldz said:
A couple notes I might add is that these things are most likely overkill for the average wheeler. I can say that in the time I've been on this forum I've never seen someone just completely shred their lower control arms. OEM LCA's are made pretty tough. Which brings me to my second note is that installing these skids are a complete PITA. You have to drill through the hardened steel that they are and let me tell you they'll break even industrial bits if you're not careful. If you get these and plan to install them with the truck sitting on the ground, get ready for a workout. To be honest, the main reason I got these was b/c they had just came out and seemed cool, and they were on a group buy (so a lot cheaper).



:D
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I know a few FJ guys that run something simular. Do yours rattle like a SOB?
 
ARC said:
:confused: I don't see a mention of LCA skids in the tread you linked...

Based on what JWaldz said about installation, they are off my consideration list.
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completely missed the skid part....Thought it was about the sliders. That's what I get for skimming the forum at midnight :dammit:
 
Thanks everyone, I appreciate the comments and thoughts. For now I will go without but the modding bug will probably bite me in the future...
 
I wish there was a bolt on option. I would probably never use them, but I think they look awesome haha
 
4Running Daily said:
Speaking of this, not saying an LCA skid would help this, but
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w8wut.gif


edit: would be better if the picture would have quoted too...dammit
 
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