New Product Launch: It's the 4xE of July! (JL 4xe Aluminum Belly Skid System)

[NextDan]

It was too good to delay another day -- we're launching the 4xE Aluminum Belly Skid Systems this July 4th! Happy 4xE of July!

Want your 4xE to be trail ready, any time? Skid plates provide advanced protection for your JL's most critical components -- your engine, transmission, transfer case, fuel tank, and now your 4xE specific high voltage components, coolant lines and electric motor generator -- while you're tackling tough terrain, technical obstacles, and of course for the ride home. Designed with maximum coverage, UHMW options for slip and slide action over obstacles, and a great combination of strength and weight savings in mind, we're proud to introduce our 4xE Belly Skid System!

https://nextventuremotorsports.com/products/jlu-4xe-aluminum-belly-skids

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[41AH24]

How does it compare to the Metalcloak belly armour?

 

[GATORB8]

How does it compare to the Metalcloak belly armour?

I believe the MC skids stack on stock, looks like NV replaces them.
Of course NV is Aluminum vs. MC Steel, and UHMW is available.
Although MC has a HD trans crossmember in the LA kit, it's not in the undercloak. NV includes an HD crossmember in the kit.

Looks like NV did a great job, like always, it's a personal cost/value decision.

 

[NextDan]

I believe the MC skids stack on stock, looks like NV replaces them.
Of course NV is Aluminum vs. MC Steel, and UHMW is available.
Although MC has a HD trans crossmember in the LA kit, it's not in the undercloak. NV includes an HD crossmember in the kit.

Looks like NV did a great job, like always, it's a personal cost/value decision.

Matt - correct on the replacement vs stacking. We do replace a lot of the factory steel components -- just like our other JK/JL/JT systems the factory fuel tank exits the chat in favor of some clearance and weight reduction. It's a bit more labor up front during install, but I find it difficult to justify dragging around 2 fuel tank skids for thousands of miles when you just need the one.

 

[John Benoit]

It was too good to delay another day -- we're launching the 4xE Aluminum Belly Skid Systems this July 4th! Happy 4xE of July!

Want your 4xE to be trail ready, any time? Skid plates provide advanced protection for your JL's most critical components -- your engine, transmission, transfer case, fuel tank, and now your 4xE specific high voltage components, coolant lines and electric motor generator -- while you're tackling tough terrain, technical obstacles, and of course for the ride home. Designed with maximum coverage, UHMW options for slip and slide action over obstacles, and a great combination of strength and weight savings in mind, we're proud to introduce our 4xE Belly Skid System!

https://nextventuremotorsports.com/products/jlu-4xe-aluminum-belly-skids

I highly recommend not using aluminum for skid plates. I put Quadratec’s 1/4 aluminum plates on my JK and then went to Moab. They failed miserably. Quadratic was good enough to refund my money as they claimed they were strong as steel. Unless of course your Jeep just for showing and sits in the garage.

 

[NextDan]

I highly recommend not using aluminum for skid plates. I put Quadratec’s 1/4 aluminum plates on my JK and then went to Moab. They failed miserably. Quadratic was good enough to refund my money as they claimed they were strong as steel. Unless of course your Jeep just for showing and sits in the garage.

John,


I appreciate your input on the subject matter; but I also have to say that not all aluminum skids on the market are created equal. Some of that is due to material selection and a lot of it is due to design choices. Of the Next Venture skids that we've seen start to move underneath a vehicle, there was enough abuse that the frame of the JL where the skids tied into the frame and crossmembers (factory steel crossmembers) were moving as well.

We did touch on the subject in a video from last year here as well -- as our skids can be optioned with UHMW that really changes the way they perform in the rocks:

 

[pablo_max3045]

How does it compare to the Metalcloak belly armour?

well, it seems to cost $3000 more, so maybe it makes your Jeep fly?

 

[NextDan]

well, it seems to cost $3000 more, so maybe it makes your Jeep fly?

Well, it's a bit lighter and smoother on the bottom, but I don't think that's enough to overcome the brick like aerodynamics of a Wrangler ? If you want a Jeep that *feels* like it flies, AMW does offer a 1000hp/950lb-ft hemi swap -- but I think it's a bit more then 3k.


A comparison of our 4xe to other available systems might point out:

• Better net weight gains vs steel systems. Jeep will *NOT* fly but may preserve more of your electric range if that's a feature of your 4xE that you value.
• removal of the factory fuel tank skid vs retaining it (reduces weight, increases clearance, and our system doesn't rely on the factory skid to support our skid to the frame cross members)
• UHMW Option for hard trail users -- slip and slide ability with impact resistant/absorbing surface -- outperforming bare metal systems (even steel) on sliding over obstacles - which means less attempts from getting hung up; and less abuse on the vehicle on the harder trails where breakover might matter the most.
• no overlaps or gaps between skid plates to catch obstacles (not currently a feature of any other 4xe skid system we're aware of)
• all countersunk/recessed hardware vs the "flush mount" bolts that protrude on the bottom of nearly every competing 4xE skid system out there. In our experience the protruding hardware (countersunk washer or not) will be the first thing to catch every time on obstacles which results in the factory hardware in the frame eventually breaking out and spinning if/when removal is attempted.
• 1/4" thick aluminum construction for the skids - with formed/flanged edges nearly everywhere possible
• fully gusseted 1/4" thick steel crossmembers and brackets - the heaviest duty of anything on the market
• removable oil door for regular oil changes and a completely seamless engine skid
• Removable/bolt on skid at 4xe coolant pumps for maintenance access - which allows for it to be unbolted in the event you want to relocate the pumps and install a true long arm system - without modifying the skids too.

 

[pablo_max3045]

I am sure the quality is great. But, 4400 bucks for a skid plate is getting well over the wall of more money than brains.

 

[BigMaCro]

Thanks for bringing this to market, Dan!

I've been looking forward to NV skids for more than a year, but I had to get something installed this spring so I could feel confident wheeling this summer.

It is evident you took considerable care to make an excellent product!

 

[NextDan]

Made a few final adjustments/changes since we posted up last. Main differences are additional venting and heat shields for the high voltage components+exhaust skid on the driver side, and some additional mounting for the evap canister (they locate one in front of the fuel tank on these), and additional mounts for the coolant pumps/coolant lines to make sure everything is supported as well or better then it was from the factory. Really happy with the final product and we'll get some additional media up as we go through it.

-Dan

 

[dpwracing]

Looks really nice, but not sure it's 2x nicer than other options.

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