Skid plate recommendations? Anything else I need to off-road?

[sided03]

I I need some recommendation plates. I was thinking.
-Rusty full body skid plate
- rough country, front and rear differential skid plate
- Yukon differential cover Front and rear
If I need anything else for off-road

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[bd100]

"Need" is relative. For casual use I'd recommend rear control arm/shock skids, and an aluminum engine skid to protect the auto transmission lines and oil pan from stray sticks and such. Aluminum bumper skid if it's currently plastic. And a trailer hitch skid to be installed when offroad. Add more as desired, but keep weight in mind, especially if loading up or towing a lot.

And keep in mind maintenance as well. Small modular skid plates are easier to remove or work around than big frame-to-frame systems.

And whatever you install, prime and paint first. Aftermarket powder coating often fails quickly. I've got several pieces rusting after one year. Should have painted them in the first place.

 

[maxp0wers]

Pretty good advice and I'd agree.

I spend a lot of time in snow, but really only run intermediate/upper intermediate trails max.

I have front and rear LCA skids, FAD Skid, and aluminum engine skid. Also an aluminum sway bar motor skid. I'm happy with the setup.

If i was running more advanced off road trails, I'd be more comfortable with a full underbody setup I really like Artec's new 6061 aluminum full underbody skid for the 4xe....might even consider installing it given the weight advantage.

I think the question also depends on your ground clearance as well.

 

[maxp0wers]

a high tuck exhaust also removes the "need" for another skid and gives you and excuse to swap out that fatty OEM exhaust setup.

 

[Aonar]

One HUGE known issue with the stock steel and plastic rear bumpers is that they will flex up into the paint/body if you hit them from beneath. Read and view the damage in this thread: OEM Steel bumper damage | Jeep Wrangler Forums (JL / JLU) -- Rubicon, 4xe, 392, Sahara, Sport - JLwranglerforums.com

I also added stronger, low profile rock rails, https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...ders-for-serious-wheeling.102914/post-2214392


I also added stronger diff covers, a diesel fuel filter skid, and other things. No issue for you on the diesel skid.

 

[sided03]

Pretty good advice and I'd agree.

I spend a lot of time in snow, but really only run intermediate/upper intermediate trails max.

I have front and rear LCA skids, FAD Skid, and aluminum engine skid. Also an aluminum sway bar motor skid. I'm happy with the setup.

If i was running more advanced off road trails, I'd be more comfortable with a full underbody setup I really like Artec's new 6061 aluminum full underbody skid for the 4xe....might even consider installing it given the weight advantage.

I think the question also depends on your ground clearance as well.

I have 3 1/2 metalcloak game changer lift kit with 37s tires

 

[Ratbert]

A stock Sport will do the vast majority of trails fine, especially if you're staying in your part of the country.

Start with a decent air compressor (on board if the budget allows) along with recovery gear that hopefully includes a winch.

The list of options is pretty massive, but consider decent rock sliders after your skids.

 

[Nokones]

Take a peek at Metalcloak. With Metalcloak you won't have to worry about removing the rust and repainting.

 

[bd100]

Metalcloak would still benefit from primer and paint for the long term.

For the diffs, consider Purple Cranium diff guards, which keep the stock covers for cooling and don't affect clearance.

For aluminum skid plates, the ones from Quadratec come with heavy-duty support bars, but they stick down further than they had to. Was grazing the middle of two track with my stock 32" tires. And they don't much protect the 3.6L exhaust loop. And again, paint the bars before install.

 

[BobW]

I like my RH4x4. Most are aluminum, bit more expensive but light enough to handle. Important because you'll need to drop them from time to time.

 

[dstevens]

Some points to keep in mind:
- the net weight range is 30 lbs to 180+ lbs.
- skids that replace the transfer case skid / cross member gain ground clearance and reduce weight
- skids that replace the stock fuel tank skid reduce the net weight
- not all materials are equal
- consider oil change access

 

[CopperMtnGuy]

I did lots of intermediate/difficult trails stock height with stock skids plus rough country diff skids, no issues. Here's one write up I did:
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...tes-review-after-trail-22-at-windrock.114078/

I just got back from Moab, did Top of the World and Hell's Revenge. added the lift and an evo engine/tranny skid and exhaust loop skid (ignore if you don't have a 3.6). Haven't taken pics yet, but they both took some mild hits. I think if I had 35s, it wouldn't have been an issue, but I'm glad I had them. The exhaust loop one especially took some hits - the engine one took some lighter hits, not sure how bad of damage I would've had without. Doesn't appear that I hit the shock mounts or control arm mounts much.

Smashed up the rear bumper pretty good, but no tub damage. And also crushed the tail pipe, but bent it back. Front bumper/skid has some dings, but worked! Glad I have the metal bumper/skid there.

 

[Murphydog]

I did lots of intermediate/difficult trails stock height with stock skids plus rough country diff skids, no issues. Here's one write up I did:
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...tes-review-after-trail-22-at-windrock.114078/

I just got back from Moab, did Top of the World and Hell's Revenge. added the lift and an evo engine/tranny skid and exhaust loop skid (ignore if you don't have a 3.6). Haven't taken pics yet, but they both took some mild hits. I think if I had 35s, it wouldn't have been an issue, but I'm glad I had them. The exhaust loop one especially took some hits - the engine one took some lighter hits, not sure how bad of damage I would've had without. Doesn't appear that I hit the shock mounts or control arm mounts much.

Smashed up the rear bumper pretty good, but no tub damage. And also crushed the tail pipe, but bent it back. Front bumper/skid has some dings, but worked! Glad I have the metal bumper/skid there.

I keep going back and forth on adding skids or not.

I ran Top of the World in my XR and didn't hit anything. I also ran Poison Spider and only tapped the hitch receiver is a few spots.

Hopefully nothing worse that a few scratches on your skids

 

[CopperMtnGuy]

I keep going back and forth on adding skids or not.

I ran Top of the World in my XR and didn't hit anything. I also ran Poison Spider and only tapped the hitch receiver is a few spots.

Hopefully nothing worse that a few scratches on your skids

That's all it is, just scratches on the skids!

 

[JEEP4U]

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