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Solid underbody protection provides a practical solution for preventing damage, allowing the driver to tackle rough terrain with more confidence. Many aftermarket companies in Australia offer custom-made underbody protection solutions for the Ranger, which can be tailored to meet the specific needs of the vehicle and the driver.
These solutions can include additional reinforcement for particularly vulnerable areas such as the front and rear differentials, and may also include other features including improved approach and departure angles for better off-road performance.
- What it is: Armour for the underside of your vehicle.
- Why you need it: You may run over rocks, sticks and other objects which can damage the mechanical parts beneath your vehicle.
- Buying tips: The type of protection can interfere with other accessories such as long-range tanks, so it’s worth looking at an integrated approach. Also known as Under Vehicle Protection (UVP) and Under Vehicle Armour (UVA).
Here are three products we recommend. They’re intended as a starting point, to give you an idea of what’s available. We’ve included information on Ford Australia’s genuine accessories, in case you’d prefer to stick to OEM.
| Material | Thickness | Approx. weight | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARB underbody protection | Mild steel, powder-coated or painted | 3mm | 30kg |
| Custom Offroad bash plate combos | Stainless-steel | 3mm (4mm pending) | 25 to 30kg |
| Brown Davis under-vehicle protection | Mild steel, powder-coated | 3mm | 40kg |
Ford Australia/ARB licensing agreement
Ford Australia has a licensing agreement with ARB. Order ARB accessories when you order your next-gen Ranger and they’ll be covered by Ford’s five-year warranty. So if you have a warranty issue, there are no grey areas about which company is responsible.
If you order ARB accessories after purchase (through a Ford dealer), they’ll be covered by the remainder of the warranty period.
If you’d like to know more about the Ford/ARB partnership, check it out on the Ford website.
ARB underbody protection – steel
Specifications:
- Material: Mild steel, powder-coated or painted
- Thickness: 3mm
- Approx. weight: 30kg
Pros
- Recessed bolt heads
- Easy to remove for servicing
- Pressed ribs for strength
Cons
- Nil
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Custom Offroad bash plate combos
Specifications:
- Material: Stainless-steel
- Thickness: 3mm (4mm pending)
- Approx. weight: 25 to 30kg
Pros
- Stainless-steel, no rust issues
- High-quality Aussie product
- Fits with factory bumper bar
Cons
- Bolt heads not recessed
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Brown Davis under-vehicle protection
Specifications:
- Material: Mild steel, powder-coated
- Thickness: 3mm
- Approx. weight: 40kg
Pros
- Recessed bolt heads
- Easy removal for servicing
- Maximises approach and departure angles
Cons
- Nil
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How we review products
4X4 Australia has been reviewing four-wheel drive vehicles and aftermarket products for more than 40 years.
When looking for the best accessories for your make and model of 4WD, there are some essentials to ensure you have the best off-roading experience.
When we compare products, here are some of the things we consider:
- Warranty
- Build quality
- Value for money
- Time and ease to set-up/install
- Weight
- Fit and finish
- How well it gets the job done
- What materials they’re made from
- Corrosion/UV-resistance
- Coatings
- Compatibility with other accessories
- Compliance with ADRs and vehicle safety systems
- Country of manufacture
- Load ratings, to determine what's the best product across each price point.
We also consider user reviews and our own experience with these products to make sure our recommendations are for the best on the market.
Disclosure: When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. We also include products that we do not earn a commission from.
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