SouthBay, I have seen three people have a branch kick up and wedge from the ground up to the cross bar that runs underneath half way back. The branch blew up thru the floorboard. This happened on both the passenger and drivers side. This seems to be something that happens in the dry washes in the desert runs we do. If these skid plates fill that area, then they might be worthwhile. I've never seen, not that it wouldn't happen, anything come thru the rear of fenderwell. I've looked at doing something in this area but not in a panic about it. Since your going from scratch, it would be something I'd do depending on your configuration underneath. Just my $0.02 worth.