Artec JLU full belly skid reviews?

[Cookie Monster]

Anyone know the proper term for the bolt set up on the left? Maybe I mean, lol, do those come with the skids and the #5 is your cure for the non matching hole in skid plate?

Looks like a slide washer with a flat head bolt. No slide washers needed in my Artec's hardware instructions. M.O.R.E. uses a big version with their systems, they sell them also.

@Bullwinkle and @sourdough I emailed artec asking why the skids didn't match the pictures for two of the holes, you had to reuse stock bolts where the picture showed a flush mount bolt. They asked for my address and sent me 6 longer flat top bolts with the conical washers for free.

stock bolt

flat top with conical washer (sorry for blurry photo):

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[spenat]

Anybody put these on a sport with stock suspension?

On Arctec's product page they suggest a 1.5"+ lift. I emailed them about it and the response was this: " The reason for the 1.5" lift kit is required is due to if you hit a bump large enough when the suspension is up traveling the differential will come up and slam into the engine skid plate mounting bracket when at stock height with 1.5" it will clear the bracket."

I'm not sure I understand this... all the pictures they have under jeeps it looks like both diffs are not really new the skids plates. I'm wondering if this is a non issue.

so you need a lift?

 

[KansasJL]

I ran the artec skids on a stock rubicon. The skid did hit the front diff if it bottomed out. I would say it is minimal contact. I did post a couple of pictures somewhere in this thread that showed the contact area.

 

[_thewick]

so you need a lift?

Yep!
I’m getting ready to buy a skyjacker 1.5” spring lift.

 

[spenat]

so you need a lift?

guess I should have asked, do you need a lift on a stock rubi?

 

[KansasJL]

guess I should have asked, do you need a lift on a stock rubi?

You don’t “need” a lift if you are fine with the engine mount brackets making contact on the backside of the front diff. Outside of some minor contact I had no issues for over a year.

 

[stingGreyNJ]

How long was install time? A local shop is looking for 8 hours of install time $. Artec directions say 2-4 hours. Why so different?

 

[JeepinJason33]

How long was install time? A local shop is looking for 8 hours of install time $. Artec directions say 2-4 hours. Why so different?

Shop is screwing you... 2-4 hours depending on your tools and if you have a helper is accurate. A shop that has installed these before could easily be done in 2 hours.

 

[stingGreyNJ]

Two hours with a helper so 4 man hours?

 

[onepluto]

I installed the diesel version on my JL and have been thrilled, well fitted and super strong. Rolled right over a stump that normally would get caught on. Artec team did a great job walking me through some of the install and all said I spent about 5 hours, but that's by myself so help would have made it easier. Not as concerned dropping off ledges onto the DEF tank or the oil/transmission getting whacked!

 

[zouch]

this is pretty much the only clue for the Diesel version; the DEF tank/Exhaust Resonator guard is visible from the rear.

here's the goodness underneath.

from the front:

from the rear.

 

[spenat]

For those who bought these, would you do it again or go with another?

I'm about to add a 1.5" lift and a full skid and just making a list now.

 

[zouch]

yup. worked out well for me. not cheap, but don't weigh a ton, slide nicely, actually increase break-over clearance very slightly and the first part of the set i tapped was that DEF Tank plate.

For those who bought these, would you do it again or go with another?

I'm about to add a 1.5" lift and a full skid and just making a list now.

 

[Jreycnc]

I'm a big fan of ours. I wish there had been better instructions for the motor mount brackets but that's literally my only complaint. I just picked up a 2nd JL and it has the Next Venture skid and I don't think there's any noticeable difference between the 2 that would make me go one or the other.

 

[BDinTX]

Put them on our 2.0t and waited impatiently for them to come out for the 3.0ED.

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