I have searched a little and I was just wondering if they are for me. I don't wheel over any rocks or anything. I actually removed the more forward of the two skid plates when i did my lift because a screw was missing and the other hole was stripped somehow before i ever touched it. And i just got home from a long trip tonight and noticed my second skid plate was hanging on barely off the ground by only one bolt. Just wondering if they are necessary for anything if i don't really wheel?
Just FYI it's a 98 limited 4wd IFS
Thanks in advance

 

Well, Take them off and give a gander at how ugly all the diff axle and suspension looks..

That should be enough said.

But even if you dont wheel hard they would be good insurance for some pretty pricey stuff under there..

 

Fix your hole and put them back on. I wouldn't say that I'm hardcore or do the rocks but I bashed my factory plates up pretty easily. I ended up making a replacement as aftermarket ones were too heavy for my application and their price was much more than I wanted to spend.

 

Not necessary, however they do deflect some things that may otherwise cause some damage. Up here in the extereme salt belt, they take most of the salt beating away from the middle of the ifs components.

 

I can't stand how mine looks without the front skid plate. It makes everything ugly without it. One time I didn't have it on and was doing some "light" wheeling and slammed down on a rock pretty hard. Luckily it didn't hit anything important or fragile, but at first I thought I was going to be replacing expensive parts.

I'd keep them regardless of how much you off-road. It's good protection, piece of mind and it looks much better with it.