LPAventure Front Bar and Skid Plate. Is it worth it??? Positives, Negatives etc.

I get a lot of questions about the LPAventure bar and skid plate so I thought it would be good to discuss why I went with this set up,, the positives, the negatives and if I would do it again.
RilliTEK springs that I have:
Front: www.rallitek.com/lift-springs...
Rear: www.rallitek.com/lift-springs...
email: [e-mail]
Thank you for watching!

[@jameshuffield1755]

Great video. I have been watching your videos for a while now. Great work. They have helped me a lot.

[@AZdroptop]

Thank you James, that is great to hear!

[@mikerobinson8734]

Hey Rick, been following your channel since 2019 when I bought the crosstrek. I since sold the crosstrek and bought an FJ cruiser, had that for a year and we had our first baby and decided to sell the FJ and I bought a 2021 Willys Jeep Wrangler! With the eco diesel! Love the content brother and love that we share similar tastes in our vehicle choices.

[@AZdroptop]

Hey Mike! Awesome choice! I bet the diesel is pretty sweet. Thank you for checking in and watching along. These new Jeeps are really nice. And congratulations on your first child. It goes so fast so have fun and try to enjoy every minute.

[@JasonMunk]

You answered all my questions! Thanks

[@bob11664]

You got a new sub just for mentioning Flagstaff. I live in SoCal and Flagstaff is my annual getaway. One of the most beautiful places I’ve traveled

[@AZdroptop]

Thank you! I went there a lot as a kid to visit my grandmother and Aunt and uncle. Ended up going to NAU for school and still visit a couple times a year. Awesome place!

[@bob11664]

@@AZdroptop awesome. I like your content. By the way for the Crosstrek, was there any issues leaving the splash guard off after the bumper and skid install?

[@AZdroptop]

Thank you! No issues at all. All good. LPAventure said it wasn't necessary and it seems to be correct many thousands of miles later. If I had it to do over I'm not sure I would do the skid plate again if starting over....unless I put a lift on. Loosing the clearance was a bummer.

[@madlucio70]

Thanks for this informative video. Seriously nice information in here! I have been contemplating the LP adventures large front bumper protector for my 2023 Crosstrek PHEV. I was looking all over for weight spec.s as my Crosstrek is a Hybrid, so extra weight is a big deal. I am already loosing some range due to crossbars, kayak racks, snowboard racks, and bike racks causing drag as well as packing tools, camera gear, and luggage on a normal basis. I still get great mileage and EV range, but another 45 lbs just for the 1 lower front bar and plate is a lot of weight. The weight ratios in my Crosstrek are different already due to the extra hybrid engine components and the 8.8 KwH battery. I also need my amazing 8.7 " ground clearance with the offroading and deep snow driving that I do each week. Considering your experience with scraping, even in areas without deep snow / ice drifting, this option is likely not the best for me. Really appreciate the info.

[@AZdroptop]

It is great to hear that it was helpful for you! LP makes amazing stuff, but I think the only way to go if you do their bar and skid plate is to do the lift as well. Losing 1.5 inches of clearance is more significant than I thought it would be. Happy travels to you!

[@madlucio70]

@Rick Hutton The LP Adventures large front bumper guard looks fantastic, but there are two main downsides for me. You are using only the plate and lower bumper guard parts, and they are adding roughly 45 lbs. I assume with the rest of the large bumper guard, the weight would be between 60-80 extra pounds front end. The Crosstrek PHEV is already 500 lbs heavier than a standard Trek, and the weight is low and well balanced. Another 60-80 lbs up front would likely throw things off quite a bit and significantly affect mileage . Also, as you said, the loss of 1.5 inches give or take makes a noticeable difference. I really appreciate your detailed and transparent video. Thanks again!

[@davemcguigan218]

Great update Rick. We are having some nice weather, sunny and into the 60's. Cold at night though. I have finally hit 7K miles. I seem to go 4 or 5 months before getting ⛽. I guess the snow is gone for this season. We had around 30 inches total. Much more than last year. Hopefully some day I can get vaccinated!

[@AZdroptop]

Great as always to hear form you Dave. Glad to hear you are getting some nice weather as well and congrats on 7K miles. :)

[@ironman1518.]

Thank you for the great review!! I've been looking at the Primitive skid plates for my 2013 XV, as they are cheaper than any other skid plates I've seen. Any comments please? TIA Have installed the Rallitek 1/4" lift sport springs with the Bilstein B6 shocks on the car. TIA.

[@AZdroptop]

HI Fred, if I had to do it over I probably would not do the skip plate. It is an awesome piece and very well made, but the loss of ground clearance is a bit of a bummer. If you have or are planning a full lift it would be fine, but the extra weight and loss of clearance is noticeable.

[@EZapar]

I'd like to see the vid of you going through the same washout with the brush guard on. To me, it seems like you lose quite a bit of approach with it. Cool to see you still doing vids.

[@AZdroptop]

Hey brother, good to hear from you. I agree, definitely changed it for sure.

[@EZapar]

@@AZdroptop On another note. Are you also getting a new Bronco when they come out or just me? I'm trading in the Rubicon and my Impreza when they become available. The new Xtrek Sport stays.

[@AZdroptop]

No plans to get one at this point though it does look like Ford did a nice job on them, really nice job. I'll give it a couple years and see how they do in the wild. If I remember correctly they are only offering turbo motors at this time? I am guessing they will sell like crazy!!!

[@EZapar]

@@AZdroptop I figure in 2 years, after they've wiped out any bugs. This might sway you from your Jeep. :) That soft ride. . . kzbin.info/www/bejne/jV65hWmqfLiaqbM

[@Brucesmith101]

You could get a bar and skid plate from Subaextreme in Australia. They make great products

[@AZdroptop]

I will take a look thank you.

[@rileypart1]

Happy Monday Rick! Hope you have good day Cheers! 🍻

[@AZdroptop]

Thank you! You too Stanley. Hope all is great with you.

[@midwestoutdoors3286]

Thanks Rick! Love the Subaru content. Any plans on getting an Outback?

[@AZdroptop]

Thank you! No plans for an Outback anytime soon. I am enjoying the Jeep and my wife is still enjoying her WRX.

[@brycemandrell]

Great video, Rick! Any significant decrease in MPG you noticed when you added the front bar and skid plate?

[@AZdroptop]

Thank you Bryce. No big change that I have noticed. Biggest change is the weight on the front struts and springs and the loss of ground clearance.

[@chriscampbell625]

Hi! Thanks for this great video. Questions - 1) I just bought the front, CVT and differential skid plate. I wonder why you didn't do the whole lot? 2) At the end of the video, you said you recommend getting a lift kit with the skid plates. Yet you're happy with the RallyTech springs. Is there any reason you bought one but in the end didn't instal it? Just wondering which one I should opt for. Thanks a million - you really helped me out! Chris

[@AZdroptop]

My journey started when I continuously was scraping the front lower part of the car when off road. The plastic was getting scraped up and I started looking for a front bar that would protect the area. LP's set up was the only bar at the time that fit the bill. In my mind going with a skid plate that mounted in the stock position, even if aluminum, could still cause damage to the oil pan etc if you hit it hard on a rock or something else. Again, LP's set up was the only one that mounted off of the car. I figured it wouldn't be a big deal to loose 1.5 inches of clearance and wasn't concerned with the extra weight of the bar and skid, but soon found out both were a bummer. The springs were put on to try and get some of the lost clearance back, only gained a little of it back with the springs, and to help with the increased weight up front. They really helped with the weight and are great when loading up the car with a lot of gear. They improve the overall feel of the car in my opinion and I do like them a lot. I suggest you need a lift because it is the only way to really get your clearance back when putting on the LP bar and skid plate. As for not going with the other skid plates I guess I didn't feel they were as necessary as the front skid and just never got around to buying them. If I had to do it over again I would probably still by the LP front bar, but a skid plate that fits in the stock spot not the LP one. That way you are only loosing clearance were the bar is and not across the entire skid plate. My goal with the car was to make it a bit better for off road and safer without completely changing the daily driving of the car. the bar and skip plate did mess with that a bit and made it not as good off road when you think about the loss of clearance.

[@chriscampbell625]

Thanks a lot Rick - fantastic info! Really appreciate it. About the LP lift kit you bought - did you not install it because it was a pain to do? Was there another reason for not installing it after you bought it? Thx Chris

[@AZdroptop]

Sorry about that, I was blabbing on and didn't answer your question on the lift kit. :) Basically it was a timing issue. I bought it a few months before covid hit and then just never got around to installing it. Realize I was most likely going to buy a Jeep and decided to sell it. It is a great kit and LP is an excellent company that does a lot of testing. A good choice if you decide to do a lift.

[@thisishowiedewitt76]

I love most of your videos, but I don’t like this behind the wheel/ distracted driving format. Other than that I think you do a great job and I appreciate the effort you put in. Thank you.

[@AZdroptop]

Thanks Lou.

[@xXFatalxGamingXx]

I don't think I would ever go back from the LP bar. The visual appeal as well as the off road benefits fits it perfectly. I'd say it is a little pointless to put the bar on without having a lift or springs to get that front height loss back. I personally run the LP bar and LP lift. No issues in 2 years and my dealership has not given me any grief about warranties, wear and tear, etc....

[@AZdroptop]

Nice Alek. I bought a lift and it sat on the shelf for 6 months and then I bought the Jeep. Covid, busy life etc so I never installed it. I have 3/4 inch spacers for the front of the car now that I'll put on when my son comes home with it after this semester. It is great to hear your car is doing well with the set up. They make great stuff.

[@jasonjackson1422]

I live in Tucson and have a 2014 Crosstrek. I have an idea of what mods I want but I'm not handy enough to self install. Where would you recommend getting work done on a Crosstrek in Tucson?

[@AZdroptop]

To be honest I really don't know as I have never used a shop for any aftermarket stuff. Any reputable shop should be good..maybe one of the off road shops? I guess it all depends on what you are looking to have done. You might check out the Crosstrek forum and see if there is a local part of it that can recommend a good place. Sorry I am not much help.

[@keepontrekin785]

Hi I cannot get a lift due to a warranty, what are the exact springs you bought for your trek? Looking at their website I cannot find the rite ones , thanks! Love the vids

[@AZdroptop]

Their site is a bit unorganized. Here are the links to the ones I have. www.rallitek.com/lift-springs/10859-rallitek-1-front-raised-springs-crosstrek-xv-2018-2020.html?results=34 www.rallitek.com/lift-springs/10860-rallitek-1-rear-raised-springs-crosstrek-xv-2018-2020.html?results=34

[@mccalltx]

Does the small bar reduce a significant amount of clearance or just the skid plate?

[@AZdroptop]

It is the skid that is most of the problem just do to where it mounts and its mass. The bar does sit lower so it could catch a rock underneath, but there isn’t a lot of mass to it so not a huge deal. If I were to do it over again I’m not sure I would get the skid plate.

[@edwgillespie]

Great videos Rick, thanks. Which skid plates bolt up so you don't lose as much ground clearance?

[@AZdroptop]

I believe the Primitive racing set up mounts in the stock location and maybe ADF as well. It has been quite awhile since I have looked into the others, but I would start with those. I believe RalliTEK also has a skid now, but I am not sure how that one mounts. Thank you very much for watching.

[@edwgillespie]

@@AZdroptop Your comment on weight has really resonated. I am now considering the lighter weight, bumper bar from LPaventures. (DOM 1 '' x 0.95 vs. DOM steel tubes 1.25"OD with 0.120") Mostly to protect from aggressive snowbanks, and not offroading. what are your thoughts?

[@AZdroptop]

To be honest I was not aware of their lighter option so I will check it out. Do you know what the weight of it is? I can't remember the weight of the one I have, but somewhere around 25lbs (The actual weight is in the install video) It looks like LP has come out with a new premium design that is the thicker tubing and mounts closer to the body of the car...So, maybe they are not making the one I have anymore? Weight savings is a good idea given the experience that I had. I'll see if I can figure out what size the tubes on my car are.

[@edwgillespie]

@@AZdroptop I called LPaventure, Subaru changed the front end of the crosstrek. The new premium (thicker steel) will fit the new crosstrek. Thanks for all your advice, and keep up the great videos. Cheers

[@AZdroptop]

Oh cool! That is great news and thank you for letting me know. Best of luck and thank you very much for watching.

[@PittiesAndMore]

Hi Rick, what made you not lift your Crosstrek?

[@AZdroptop]

I put the springs on awhile ago to help get some of the height back I lost from the skid plate and bar. Hope you are doing well!