Respectfully, I'd consider another option. I once spent my whole budget on a heavy winch then realized I needed basic protection more... tbh it was pretty annoying. Instead of full plates, grab 589 Fabrication Rear Shock Skids for $135 or a nodular iron ARB Differential Cover. Theyre way cheaper and protect the most vulnerable high-stress points. Lowkey saves your wallet while youre still learning the truck's clearance! Good luck!

I went through this last year. Unfortunately, factory armor was disappointing on real rocks... I broke my stuff. Switched to:

• AEV High-Strength Boron Steel Skid Plates

Definately way better tbh.

yo congrats on the new truck!! honestly the AT4X is a beast but in my experience you gotta be CAUTIOUS once you hit real technical trails. basically, you dont need to spend thousands right away. i mean, i always tell people to focus on recovery first. Here's what I recommend for a budget-friendly setup that keeps you safe:

• Badland Apex 12,000 lb. Winch with Synthetic Rope ($599) - i think it fits the factory mount but maybe double check ur specs first.
• GearAmerica UberShackles 5/8 inch D-Rings ($70) - safety first, dont skimp here.
• Viair 88P Portable Air Compressor ($89) - airing down is the best traction boost. but yeah, seriously, maybe consult a pro for the install to make sure there installed right. i've seen bad mounting lead to serious frame damage... anyway gl with it! peace.

Congrats on the new ride! Since you are looking at adding gear yourself, I want to throw out a word of caution about the DIY route. The AT4X is a tech-heavy beast, and ngl, the electrical systems on these newer Canyons are incredibly sensitive. A common mistake I see is people tapping into the factory wiring harness for accessories and ending up with weird dash lights or sensor issues. Always use a dedicated auxiliary power distribution block if you can. Also, if you are doing the install yourself, please dont just wing it on the torque specs. Anything recovery related or armor related is structural. Iirc, the frame on these uses specific high-strength steel that can be finicky if you over-tighten or use the wrong hardware. Basically, if you are gonna be your own mechanic, you need to be meticulous.

• Invest in a high-quality torque wrench before touching the frame
• Learn how to re-spool that winch under load before your first trip
• Carry a basic OBDII scan tool to clear codes if you accidentally trip a sensor Its way better to spend the time learning the truck now than trying to figure out why your electronics are acting up when your miles from cell service. Tbh, being self-sufficient is the best mod you can have, but it takes a lot of patience to do it right. Good luck with the build!

Building on the earlier suggestion about heavy-duty armor and recovery winches, you have received some solid advice regarding the Badland winch and AEV skid plates. However, from a safety perspective, there are a few other critical items you might want to consider for a complete setup.

• Midland MXT275 MicroMobile GMRS Radio
• Cell service is often non-existent on technical trails. I would suggest a dedicated radio setup to ensure you can call for help if needed.
• Maxtrax MKII Recovery Boards Signature Orange
• These are essential for self-recovery. Be careful about relying solely on a winch, as boards are frequently a safer and more efficient first option.
• Element E50 Fire Extinguisher
• Standard extinguishers can fail due to vibration; this model is more reliable for off-road use. Make sure to use high-quality mounting hardware for all your gear. I have seen several DIY projects fail because the brackets were not rated for off-road stress. Also, be careful when tapping into the vehicle's power; as mentioned earlier, these new trucks are very sensitive to electrical modifications. I'd definitely use a separate fuse block to keep things tidy and safe.

Yep, this is the way