Which do you guys think I should get first? I was thinking skids but I have a brand new Warn 9.5 TI sitting in my garage. I have it listed in the classifieds but I don't think it is going to sale since most of the guys want the M8000 due the tremendous cost difference. The bumper is going to cost me alot more but I just hate having the winch just sitting there with no way to use it. I was just wondering which one you guys would buy first. Thanks in advance.

 

DEfinitely the skids.

 

the current skids will hold up for the time being, but the stock front bumper wont take a hit....I beat mine to hell and back before getting my ARB. And my skid is still alive. I say get a bumper and get that winch on there first.

 

BUMPER and Winch!! The stock skids are OK with careful tire placement. Do the "transalper" skid to get you by. You are going to need the bumper at sometime so do yourself a favor and kill 2 birds with one stone. The skid plates wont help extract you nor will they help in the event of an on-road accident. I have bashed my plates all to heck and simply pound out the dents at every oil change. I really recommend the bumper and winch...regardless have fun with whatever you decide!

 

you convinced me.
I tore my skid off....didn't take long...just a deep hole, a big rock, and unforunately, an F250 Deisel...but yep...that skid plate peeled back like a sardine can lid...But I guess a Bud Built would do the same thing, eh? So perhaps the bumper is the better way to go.

 

bumper. we tore the crap out of my friend's ranger. bumper came out ok, but i would do it so you can use the winch youve already paid for. and it will help out if you get stuck.

 

Another vote for the bumper....I have hit my TJM pretty hard (especially when "going up" slickrock....still running stock skids and havent had a problem, although BudBuilt skids are near the top of my list

 

i would say the bumper also.hell you already got the winch.is it going to be a tjm or a custom made one?

 

No TJM the Warn 9.5 TI will not fit. I am having Andy build me one at CRS. It will look something similar to the Armorology bumpers I hope.

 

another vote for bumper

 

did andy find time to do it.

 

btw id get rid of those revtek spacers up front when you do get bumper and winch on.. it will sag em down a bit I suppose.

 

IMO, like any other mod...It depends on how you wheel it.

A bumper makes the truck look finished but the under side is still vunerable. Contrary to popular YT belief...the stock skids are useless if you wheel on rocks. That's why my gas tank will only hold 14 gallons and the guage doesn't work.

Case and point: I have a buddy with an '04 Taco who removed his front bumper (pending a custom) and built stong skids past the transfercase and he keeps up with better built trucks in the rocks. IMO, good skid plates will get you down a lot harder trails.

See my belly! (old pic, but you should get the point)

 

i agree with jim... bumpers can be replaced for cheap, as in i got my ARB because it was cheaper than a stock one when an old lady came into my lane. if you rip something out from underneath you... ouchy... skids are def. worth it, and they are REALLY cheap.

dont get me wrong, i did the bumper first and then skids, but one of my first offroading expeditions i slammed down hard on a log and got stuck, when i got pulled out (backwards) my skids peeled off... that was not a fun night, trying to remove a muddy skidplate with a maglight and mosquito's

 

oh... and on a side note, because i got my skids built after i put my bumper on, i had the skids attach to the front bumper, i think it looks good and offers a nice little ramp for rocks and such to slide on