Do I need additional skid plates?

[PeterInCO]

I have stock under-protection on my 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon. I plan on exploring some of the easier difficult trails in CO. Can I get away with the stock skid plates? Somebody told me I should get some additional protection for the oil pan and maybe the transmission. I'm on a budget. Would prefer not to spend over a $1000 since the other items on my list are adding up quickly. Recommendations?

Thanks in advance,

-Peter

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[AcesandEights]

You should be fine with the stock skid plates. Add things as you need them; otherwise you could spend $25k on your rig, getting it ready to wheel, and never leave the garage.

 

[jhackathorne]

I have stock under-protection on my 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon. I plan on exploring some of the easier difficult trails in CO. Can I get away with the stock skid plates? Somebody told me I should get some additional protection for the oil pan and maybe the transmission. I'm on a budget. Would prefer not to spend over a $1000 since the other items on my list are adding up quickly. Recommendations?

Thanks in advance,

-Peter

Depending on the trails I would agree to get something to cover the oil pan/trans skid plate. MORE makes one which is in budget and not too expensive. That gives you piece of mind if you are in any rocks. That and maybe diff skid/upgraded diff covers should be good enough for most difficult trails you'll encounter.

https://mountainoffroad.com/collections/wrangler-jl/skid-plates

 

[PeterInCO]

Depending on the trails I would agree to get something to cover the oil pan/trans skid plate. MORE makes one which is in budget and not too expensive. That gives you piece of mind if you are in any rocks. That and maybe diff skid/upgraded diff covers should be good enough for most difficult trails you'll encounter.

https://mountainoffroad.com/collections/wrangler-jl/skid-plates

OK - that's good feedback. I think those are the ones the Jeep Dealer recommended, too.

 

[jhackathorne]

OK - that's good feedback. I think those are the ones the Jeep Dealer recommended, too.

They are a good company and based out of Delta, CO as well. I have been running the oil/trans skid for 2 years and had no issues and it has help up well in the rocks.

 

[Ratbert]

OK - that's good feedback. I think those are the ones the Jeep Dealer recommended, too.

Sorry, but a dealer would be just about the last place I'd go to get advice on off roading gear.

You need to find a local shop that you can trust. If you're along the Front Range then go to CORE Off Road in Castle Rock.

 

[C.Sco]

I'm a big fan of going overkill on skid plates, better to have them and not need them than need them and not have them. Like a fire extinguisher.

That said, if you're only doing light well-travelled trails and don't want to spend more money than you have to, you're probably fine with just the stock skids.

 

[GATORB8]

We're at the point that I don't think twice about a hit, and I haven't put on the oil/trans pan skid yet.

By far the number one hit is sliders. Then diffs. Then muffler (if you still have yours). Then rear bumper, then front bumper.

My rear shock skids are pretty fucked up, and my rear LCA frame mount got bent pretty good before I went to the Rusty's skids, but those rarely get hit.

 

[Kbinspections]

Well you don’t need more protection until you do…..then you are either glad you have it or wish you had spent the money.

How experienced are you offroading?

I would suggest investing in frame mounted rock rails first. Then look to diff and engine skids.

 

[c20040215]

Rough country oil pan and transfer case plates are solid. People think negatively on RC but most of their fabricated parts are actually decent for the money. (I would stay away from their suspension parts)

You can buy oil pan + transfer case covers for $400 or $800 for a "full" belly.
I have had them for 3 years and they have been great. Along with their front and rear diff skids, and rear lower shocks skids.

 

[Philly_]

Rear shock/rear LCA skids (same thing) are the one thing I would recommend before you find yourself in the rocks. If you twist these up, they can cause damage to your shocks.

I added mine after a couple bigger hits, and I think I was already a little twisted on the driver's side. Didn't notice any leaky shocks, but it made the install so difficult I actually ended up enlarging on of the mounting holes with a die grinder after trying to beat it onto the bracket.

I went with Artec specifically because of their snug fit and known quality, so I don't think it was the skid, but just about anything will do and potentially save you a headache later.

Engine skid would be good for peace of mind, and maybe some beefy diff covers to prevent them from peeling off, as the OEM covers are fairly thin. I am replacing with Motobilt when I change my diff oil and am back in Michigan in a couple weeks.

Rubicon rock rails are good for protecting from dragging your rockers, but are mounted to the pinch seem, so not great if you slam down on them. I, personally, think they're fine as a "better than nothing" type of protection, but will eventually replace. I haven't come down hard on them, but I have a two door, so I am less likely to in most situations anyways. They are on my never-ending list of things to replace.

TLDR: I would add rear LCA/shock skids, and maybe an engine skid and diff covers depending on how crazy you're going to go. Most things on the Rubicon are fairly well protected and can handle some mild abuse.

 

[PeterInCO]

I have another thread going on the rock sliders. Getting some good advice there (leaning toward White Knuckle). They are definitely a higher priority than additional skid plates, but I want to cover the bases.

I'm a pretty experienced off-roader, but mostly moderates with a little time on some difficult trails. I just got the Jeep. Been driving a '93 Rodeo manual since 2000 - only upgrade is some K02s. I have driven that thing pretty hard. Without any lockers, I have had to use some speed to get through some tougher stretches. Of course, that has beaten the hell out of my front end, so have had to get various parts there replaced every 2-3 years (front hubs, axles, ball-joints, etc.). Made the mistake of driving it from CB to Marble through Devil's Punchbowl...at night. Fortunate to have only broken the coolant overfill tank. Anyhoo, as far as undercarriage protection, at this point I'm leaning towards the oil-pan and transmission plate from MORE and might add some diff convers. I appreciate everyone's input!

 

[PeterInCO]

Rear shock/rear LCA skids (same thing) are the one thing I would recommend before you find yourself in the rocks. If you twist these up, they can cause damage to your shocks.

I added mine after a couple bigger hits, and I think I was already a little twisted on the driver's side. Didn't notice any leaky shocks, but it made the install so difficult I actually ended up enlarging on of the mounting holes with a die grinder after trying to beat it onto the bracket.

I went with Artec specifically because of their snug fit and known quality, so I don't think it was the skid, but just about anything will do and potentially save you a headache later.

Engine skid would be good for peace of mind, and maybe some beefy diff covers to prevent them from peeling off, as the OEM covers are fairly thin. I am replacing with Motobilt when I change my diff oil and am back in Michigan in a couple weeks.

Rubicon rock rails are good for protecting from dragging your rockers, but are mounted to the pinch seem, so not great if you slam down on them. I, personally, think they're fine as a "better than nothing" type of protection, but will eventually replace. I haven't come down hard on them, but I have a two door, so I am less likely to in most situations anyways. They are on my never-ending list of things to replace.

TLDR: I would add rear LCA/shock skids, and maybe an engine skid and diff covers depending on how crazy you're going to go. Most things on the Rubicon are fairly well protected and can handle some mild abuse.

Any recs for LCA skids that are decent, but not expensive (ie not Artec)? I plan on getting into the "easier" difficult trails in CO. If I start more really hard wheeling, I will evolve the build.

 

[PeterInCO]

Sorry, but a dealer would be just about the last place I'd go to get advice on off roading gear.

You need to find a local shop that you can trust. If you're along the Front Range then go to CORE Off Road in Castle Rock.

Thanks. Any recs for a good shop in the Arkansas valley?

 

[At Risk Ute]

I’d add a motor / tranny skid to protect the oil pan. Have seen a 2.0T pan dinged wheeling the easier difficult trails in Colorado.

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