Aluminum vs Steel Skid Plates

[Ratbert]

I read that steel skid plates will slide over the rocks much easier and the aluminum can have a tendency to grab and resist more when sliding off a rock.

Most sliders or rock rails I see are made of heavy steel, I don’t see too many aluminum rock rails. So if steel is used on a rock rail and designed to support the weight of a wrangler when on a rock or used as a jack point then why would thinner aluminum underbody?

I’m sure aluminum is good enough but I would use steel for our rocky desert rock crawling.

Aluminum is significantly lighter than steel. It also doesn't rust.

I went with aluminum since my turbo diesel is built for both rock crawling and overlanding. I don't like exceeding weight limits tooo much. The aluminum NVM skids add 30 pounds. I've also added UHMW onto those so it really slides....I'm guessing significantly better than steel?

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[Windshieldfarmer]

Aluminum is significantly lighter than steel. It also doesn't rust.

I went with aluminum since my turbo diesel is built for both rock crawling and overlanding. I don't like exceeding weight limits tooo much. The aluminum NVM skids add 30 pounds. I've also added UHMW onto those so it really slides....I'm guessing significantly better than steel?

I too went aluminum for the same reason. The aluminum is much lighter but my Artecs are also much thicker than the metal version…which is certainly meant to add strength. I’ve scratched them but no structural movement from the rocks….

 

[JLeco2022]

Aluminum is significantly lighter than steel. It also doesn't rust.

I went with aluminum since my turbo diesel is built for both rock crawling and overlanding. I don't like exceeding weight limits tooo much. The aluminum NVM skids add 30 pounds. I've also added UHMW onto those so it really slides....I'm guessing significantly better than steel?

This is the same thing i've been thinking, the diesel is already heavy, but I also can make my own skids, so im thinking of making a set of both

 

[StephenM129]

This was mentioned already but my experience with aluminum skid plates on dirtbikes is that they stick to rocks so UHMW is the preferred skid plate. Probably less of a problem in Moab or where rocks are generally smooth.. I’m leaning towards the MC as well. OP let us know what you think of the MC.

 

[AnnDee4444]

Somewhat related: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/2-0-engine-skid-plates.49229/page-19#post-1658896

Asfir vs. M.O.R.E.

The M.O.R.E. is wider, but unfortunately doesn't fit 2018 2-doors due to the gas tank (2019+ is OK). Even thought the M.O.R.E. skid was way heavier, the Asfir brackets were actually heavier.

Asfir skid ≈ 4 gauge aluminum
M.O.R.E. skid ≈ 8 gauge Steel

Asfir brackets ≈ 0 gauge steel
M.O.R.E. brackets ≈ 3 gauge steel

 

[Heimkehr]

I am looking at skids for my JLR. Specifically the M.O.R.E skids and I am leaning to Aluminum. Do I need to Powder Coat the aluminum skids? Or paint them. Or can I just leave them bare?

A material benefit of aluminum skid plates is that they don't need to be painted, to protect the material, as steel skid plates oftentimes do.

Most sliders or rock rails I see are made of heavy steel, I don’t see too many aluminum rock rails. So if steel is used on a rock rail and designed to support the weight of a wrangler when on a rock or used as a jack point then why would thinner aluminum underbody?

Rock rails have by their very design and corresponding use case a significantly smaller and lighter footprint than would even a single skid plate for the engine & transmission. Scale this up to include plate protection for the transfer case and especially the fuel tank, and even the muffler, and the weight difference, or penalty, between the materials can be somewhat significant. There's also the matter of a skid plate's surface area being able to diffuse (i.e., distribute) the weight of the vehicle in a manner not possible with a skinny rock rail.

I've used steel and aluminum skid plates in a variety of applications. Both have distinct advantages and disadvantages. We just have to be honest about our vehicle's actual mission brief before clicking Buy Now.

 

[AnnDee4444]

We just have to be honest about our Jeep's actual mission brief before clicking Buy Now.

This is some good advice.

I recently returned Rusty's rear shock skids... While they were completely indestructible the overall size & weight were just too much for the kind of off-roading I do.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

I wish the EVO skid worked with the 3.6L eTorque. Anyone have a recommendation for a 3.6L eTorque skid that only covers the Engine and Trans?

 

[Sydwaiz]

This is the same thing i've been thinking, the diesel is already heavy, but I also can make my own skids, so im thinking of making a set of both

Make an extra set while you're at it!

 

[Kleiss1]

Anyone know how much the stock steel JLURD skid plate weighs?

 

[RubiSc0tt]

Some info in this thread may help. It's about specific kits, but the general conversation handles some questions: Skid plates: MetalCloak Steel vs. Quadratec Aluminum

Also: My experience from my build thread, w/ the Aluminum Skidplates from Quadratec:

For @JWAustinVTX :
Some more up close, detailed pics of the carnage from wheeling at Rausch Creek this summer.

a few notes:
The aluminum gets SHARP when scuffed. I had a small sliver penetrate my glove (and I wear Mechanixwear Mpacts), and had to pull it out with the pliers on my multi tool.

Again, the plating is 1/4” aluminum and they’ve held up well. Little bent but not badly.

the severely bent ears on the cross members are 3/8” steel that was BRUTALLY DRAGGED across rocks. Only so much can be expected. You could either trim it up, or add steel to box it out. The important part is the reinforced crossmembers that came with the skidplate kit did not bend, warp, or yield. They held strong and that’s what I am most concerned about.


overall, still very pleased with these. I think they’re good option with fantastic upsides.

There are additional pics and updates on the build thread but this is the most recent one. Still satisfied with these for Aluminum.
Hope this helps. Any questions, feel free to message me.

 

[jhackathorne]

Anyone know how much the stock steel JLURD skid plate weighs?

Depends which one you are referring to. Transfer? Gas Tank? FAD skid?

 

[Kleiss1]

Under front bumper. JLURD

 

[roaniecowpony]

The swaybar thing? That thin piece is more splash shield than skid plate. I have one in the garage off my JLUR 3.6L and could weigh it if you like.

 

[BDinTX]

Anyone know how much the stock steel JLURD skid plate weighs?

Somebody else posted about this a while back. I can't find it, but also can't take credit for thinking of this:

The Artec website says their aluminum adds 15lbs net weight and it weighs 91lbs. So that would make the factory stuff about 76lbs.

I dragged mine out to the curb for trash pickup a couple weeks ago and believe that number.

Edit: That number doesn't take into account the factory DEF skid but that also doesn't come off when you add the Artec DEF skid.

Edit2: those numbers are for the non-diesel skid but I believe the factory skids are identical with the exception of the fuel filter cover we have.

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