2026 model year frame bracket change

[gato]

We don’t even know yet what they’re there for and why they were changed vs MY24/25. I can’t believe some people are this eager to go “I need those on my older JL” when you don’t even know what they’re for and how big of a difference it makes.

Well, given how cheap Jeep and Stellantis are, they would not have made this change unless it made a meaningful difference. While I agree we need to know more, it is likely a nice to have.

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[YBABRAT]

I still think they are rock rail protectors for front ingress on a deep descent. They seem to be as thin as factory skid plates. That is why I think they are for rock protection of the frame and rock sliders. They are short enough to work on a 2 door JL. Of all things to upgrade on a pre 2022, it and a 2025 Rear axle are the few things that I would do other than the updated oil cooler assembly that will make a factory setup JL more durable. As long as you're happy with your pre 2024 JL i see cost savings in upgrading over trade in.

 

[azwjowner]

I still think they are rock rail protectors for front ingress on a deep descent. They seem to be as thin as factory skid plates. That is why I think they are for rock protection of the frame and rock sliders. They are short enough to work on a 2 door JL. Of all things to upgrade on a pre 2022, it and a 2025 Rear axle are the few things that I would do other than the updated oil cooler assembly that will make a factory setup JL more durable. As long as you're happy with your pre 2024 JL i see cost savings in upgrading over trade in.

The Mopar part description is literally "tire deflector." I intend to order them for my 2022 2 door, eventually.

 

[gek]

I still think they are rock rail protectors for front ingress on a deep descent. They seem to be as thin as factory skid plates. That is why I think they are for rock protection of the frame and rock sliders. They are short enough to work on a 2 door JL. Of all things to upgrade on a pre 2022, it and a 2025 Rear axle are the few things that I would do other than the updated oil cooler assembly that will make a factory setup JL more durable. As long as you're happy with your pre 2024 JL i see cost savings in upgrading over trade in.

Why would rock sliders need protecting? They are generally for protection. Also here is this thin metal to protect your thicker frame? Skid plates aren't usually there to protect your frame, they usually attach to the frame to protect the bits between them. Maybe I'll buy they are a skid plate if they cover the LCA mount, but I doubt that is the case.

The design is clearly similar to the passenger bracket that was added in '22 or '23, just extended. If it mounts anything like that one it is going to be very difficult to remove or install.

 

[YBABRAT]

I see the extra spacing to the frame enough to add protection at the factory rock slider frame rail area. Everyone that has replaced them have gone to a more robust slider. Some mount differently.

 

[RubiSc0tt]

Yikes. People still go on Facebook? =)

I assure you, you're not missing much. It is still a cesspool.

As for the '26 Brackets, judging from my bolt on sliders on my 2019 it doesn't look like they interfere too much with basic bolt on sliders. You can still see the frame bolts and body mounts. More integrated stuff it might be harder to clearance, but not attach. Main attachment points of them seem to just wrap the frame and stay behind the body "tub". Can still access the body mounts, just may have to clearance the slider on the inside. Just my guess.

 

[jeepingib]

I still think they are rock rail protectors for front ingress on a deep descent. They seem to be as thin as factory skid plates. That is why I think they are for rock protection of the frame and rock sliders. They are short enough to work on a 2 door JL. Of all things to upgrade on a pre 2022, it and a 2025 Rear axle are the few things that I would do other than the updated oil cooler assembly that will make a factory setup JL more durable. As long as you're happy with your pre 2024 JL i see cost savings in upgrading over trade in.

Not exactly in the right location for a rock slider protector. It would be great if they actually considered this and made it capable of doing both functions, but they definitely didn't plan that. They are absolutely crash safety related, as they replace the crash bars on the passenger frame.

 

[yokramer]

Why would rock sliders need protecting? They are generally for protection. Also here is this thin metal to protect your thicker frame? Skid plates aren't usually there to protect your frame, they usually attach to the frame to protect the bits between them. Maybe I'll buy they are a skid plate if they cover the LCA mount, but I doubt that is the case.

The design is clearly similar to the passenger bracket that was added in '22 or '23, just extended. If it mounts anything like that one it is going to be very difficult to remove or install.

Hes not the sharpest crayon in the box.

 

[Ratbert]

I see the extra spacing to the frame enough to add protection at the factory rock slider frame rail area. Everyone that has replaced them have gone to a more robust slider. Some mount differently.

The part is "tire deflector", but you're insisting that the frame needs protection? The frame?

 

[yokramer]

The part is "tire deflector", but you're insisting that the frame needs protection? The frame?

Get your facts out of here.

 

[Terrymo]

Hes not the sharpest crayon in the box.

When you buy a Jeep and say “drifting is my forte” you’re just a crayon thinking outside the box.

 

[YBABRAT]

The part is "tire deflector", but you're insisting that the frame needs protection? The frame?

Some people look at frame damage when buying a vehicle. Though with all the bolt on stuff, you would think mounting points (Bolt heads and nuts) would be the prone areas to be caught by high points.

Having just the two photos the only thing clear to its design is bolt on areas are horizontal not perpendicular to the floor, and thickness in comparison to factory skid plates.

My point was before I realized the answer was given prior to my reasoning. Just for the last few replies to me has made more discussion on my thought than needed.

None the less the frame reinforced is considered a nice option if they are bolt on to pre 2024 JL.

 

[techdisaster]

Sorry guys, my 2026 Jeep doesn’t have the new brackets. It was built on October 22nd. Seems this was added after that date.

 

[nagoya10]

I looked at my 2023 frame and there are no mounting holes for this bracket/skid/deflector to mount.

ETA: I made a quick photo and didn’t get all the frame area in the view, but there are no bolt holes or threaded holes beyond the two long slots.

 

[Ratbert]

None the less the frame reinforced is considered a nice option if they are bolt on to pre 2024 JL.

It's a tire deflector. At this point nothing indicates that it is reinforcing the frame. That'd be a significantly larger chunk of metal.

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