2021 JLUR Build - What else should I put on it?

[NewbieJon]

Originally, I wanted to get a full underbody skid system like the Metalcloak system my son has. I was intrigued by how he got the skids on a rock and managed to slide himself across it without getting stuck. But I don't have enough money to get that.

I had to add something.

My installer removed the front crossbar that protected the transmission pan and the exhaust pipe there. He said the front crossbar would contact my driveshaft, even though I upgraded to the Adams.
This left the transmission pan and fluid lines and exhaust too exposed. The oil pan sits higher up, but it also needed protection.

I decided to go with an oil pan skid plate instead. I finally selected and had installed the M.O.R.E. oil pan/transmission skid plate this week. I selected the version from M.O.R.E. for several reasons.

• Recommended by several people.
• They have a version that fits the 2021 V6.
• Designed to mount to the second crossbar.
• Made in USA.

This cost me about $800 altogether, including the installation cost at my local Jeep specialist, Blackstone Jeep. The Metalcloak system would have been well over $2,000 installed.

The other benefits of this skid over a full system are weight saving, and potentially cooling. It's 3/16" steel plate, and weighs 47 pounds. This skid covers the most vulnerable Jeep parts that were not previously protected. It leaves more airflow as it covers much less area that a full skid system.

I did wheel without this skid a few times. Rowher Flats 3 times, and Heartbreak Ridge near Big Bear. I was fortunate not to cross any obstacles where I could have inadvertantly damaged that area.

As I progress to harder trails, I will look at what I am hitting underneath and see if I need any more protection or not.

But for now, I am happy with what I have so far. I look forward to finally going on some Jeep Badge of Honor trails nearby.

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[NewbieJon]

Reviewing my current setup:

At this point I am still on the Nitto 34 x 11.5 tires, the Metalcloak 2.5" Gamechanger, the step sliders, and extra skids. I have not added any additional equipment since the MORE oil pan skid. After 2 years, I only have 6800 miles total on the Jeep, and almost 3800 miles on the lift. For various reasons, I don't get to drive it off road as much as I like.

The lift has settled down a little, but is still about 3.75" higher than stock, averaging the measurements at all 4 fenders. The ride has only softened up a little more, and is still a little stiffer than stock. After I add steel bumpers, a winch, and bigger tires, I'm sure the height will settle a little more, but I estimate I'll still be around 3.25" to 3.5" net lift. Right about where I wanted it.
Off road, the lift is great. A lot of flex and low maintenance. The lift has flexed through almost everything I have driven it through. I have only briefly got one wheel in the air, that I know of. On road, the lift and suspension are reasonably well controlled, similar to the stock suspension. But it is still solid front and rear axles with their quirks.

I tried running the tires a little low, 35 psi cold instead of 37. It did soften the ride a little, but I get a little more bobbing and weaving when hitting dips and rises at highway speeds. I'll be going back to 37 psi. On my last 2 hour trip to go off roading, the Jeep also seemed to be wandering more side to side, which again might be due to the lower air pressure.

I love the Rock Slide Engineering 3rd Gen step sliders, with the optional "skid plates". They allow me to climb in and out without extra wear and tear on the seat fabric or on my knees. They work great as sliders, too. I have scratches on them in several places, but no dents. But I have had issues with them.

With the step system on, standing by waiting to open, they wore down my battery in 2 weeks. This happened twice. And I bought a deep cycle battery after the first time it happened.
Another issue is that they have failed to close a couple times. once was when I was off roading the first time after I got them. That first time may have been due to bumping the switch while they were opening. I had to turn off and on the main switch a couple time to get them to close. The second time I merely had to open and close the door to get them to close. That was a year after the first incident.

I have had only a couple other issues with the Jeep. The dead batteries were a pain, causing the infotainment to be missing functions after getting it restarted.

On my last run, after crawling down the ledge by the big tree on John Bull trail, the Jeep stalled twice with my nose down and tail still up on the ledge. There was over half a tank of gas, and I have no clue what caused it. No problem since, in 150 + miles.

On the hottest day of the year here in Southern California, one of the factory option headliner panels came unglued, The rear one. I had to push the tape into place, then push the panel back onto it and hold it so it would stay. That was 2 months ago, and it has held since, but I am sure it will come loose again, eventually.

The front camera has a software deficiency. Meaning, when I am off roading in low range with the front camera on, when I reverse, it switches to the rear camera like it should. But when I switch back to drive, it doesn't switch back to the forward camera. I have to go back to the menu to turn it on. Very annoying. When I am in 4 Low, It SHOULD switch back to the front camera.

Ergonomically, the Jeep is too small for me. I am 6'-2" tall and overweight. Leg room and elbow room is lacking. My knee rests on the 4WD lever, which makes it sore. The headrest holds my head too far forward (good for off roading, bad for on roading). The headrest has a hard bar you can feel which is uncomfortable.,

Possibly my biggest annoyance is the manual mode of the automatic, which you press forward to shift down (slow down), and pull back to shift up (speed up). This is backwards from my Toyota and Lexus, and counter intuitive. I find myself often shifting it the wrong way. Aggravating.

All this, and I still love it.

I bought my Jeep for off roading. I didn't think I would enjoy riding it around town as much as I do. It's illogical to me, because before the Jeep, my favorite car I ever had was my Lexus ES350.

But that is Jeep life!

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[NewbieJon]

Since my last post of 2022, I have run Miller Jeep Trail (again), Last Chance Canyon, Rowher Flats main trail (again), and Del Sur Ridge after tropical storm Hilary. And just 2 days ago, I wheeled Gold Mountain Trail and John Bull Trail.

Woo Hoo! My first two Jeep Badge of Honor trails!

These last 2 trails were at the upper limit of my skill level, if not above. I've only driven off road maybe 14 times, not including easy dirt roads. I was able to complete both trails without needing to be winched out!!! But with my novice skills and slightly smaller tires, I got hung up a lot on John Bull.

The John Bull trail left me feeling like I need bigger tires for the first time. I have the Nitto Ridge Grapplers, in 34" x 11.5" size, on the stock rims. These tires are only 1/2 inch shorter than a 315/70R17 BF Goodrich KO2. My Nittos have only 1/4" less ground clearance than those KO2s.

On John Bull, I was getting hung up on the rear diff more than anything else. Much of my problem was my lack of skill and poor tire placement, and the difficulty of the trail, I am sure. Still, I was able to get out of every spot I got stuck in.

I would have had an easier time on 37" tires. But my 34's have ultimately handled everything I have driven them on.

My only other problem off-roading with the Nittos is now I have had several small chinks ripped out of the tires. I know other tire brands and models have this problem, It's still disappointing.

I love the flex of my Metalcloak 2.5" Gamechanger lift. As noted, I have only had a tire in the air one time that I know of. I'd like to measure the flex someday, or at lease know how this lift has measured for others.

The Rock Slide Engineering step sliders work great as sliders. I had contact on them several times at John Bull. No dents that I noticed. Just scratches. Rock sliders are a must for high difficulty trails like John Bull trail.

Underneath, my rear differential skid and the shock mount/control arm skids are taking the most hits. Frankly, I am surprised at how low Jeep places the rear shock mounts. I do have scratches on the gas tank skid, and a few others here and there. I am very glad I got the extra skids underneath. Real protection, and peace of mind.


I never thought I would have so much fun rock crawling, and even getting stuck and unstuck. I had a blast getting my badges.

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