Looking for advice on skid plates

[Industrialwrench]

I am happy with my metal cloak full belly skid. It has taken abuse very nicely. If I’d purchased aluminum they’d be trashed by now.

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[Remorseless]

In the 4xe section.

That whole "reading comprehension" thing is hard for me apparently lol

4xe so 2.0 turbo. Don’t do heavy rock crawling however I do end up going over enough that I just want to protect the bottom side. My biggest nemesis right now seems to be branched poking up and getting caught. Won’t solve that 100% but it’ll help.

IMO, the most important is the engine oil pan/transmission oil pan skid on the JLs. Number of folks out there who make a good enough aluminum kit for the 2.0 for lighter duty - Asfir and M.O.R.E. both have standalone aluminum skids that cover that critical bit. They're 5052 aluminum though, so lighter duty (though also lighter than a full belly system). Asfir is out of Israel and highly regarded, number of folks on the forum running their skid and happy with it. M.O.R.E. is out of Colorado and has been around the Jeep world for a hot minute and has a good enough reputation - I run their steel skids and they went on fine and quality of construction was good during install (haven't had a chance to drag them on anything yet though). I imagine their aluminum skids would be similar.

If you want a full aluminum belly system, Artec is 6061 T6 aluminum and about as strong as you can get in an aluminum skid system. Basically replaces every skid underneath.

IMO, however, the stock stuff will hold up fine against branches and such, I'd just add the lighter duty engine/trans skid and call it good were I in your shoes.

 

[Idmt]

I installed Rockhard 4x4 aluminum skids on my 21 JLURD and see they make them for the 4XE also. I was pleased with the installation, as everything fit perfectly, without any modification. I've got some scrapes, a couple fairly hard, without any deformation. I've had to remove some of them for unrelated work, and replaced them with the same fit as when new. (The factory warranty work does not include aftermarket skid removal/installation.) The two heavy crossmembers have not left any signs of movement on the frame in the 30,000 miles since installation. The other Rockhard components I've installed have all fit perfectly, except for a bit of minor grinding to make the front bumper fit. I can't address the shipping costs, as I picked them up at the shop during a planned trip in the area and got a tour of the facility at the same time.

 

[GATORB8]

So real question, why isn't the driveshaft covered? I would think that's vulnerable enough to warrant covering. I'd love to get a skid system but they're hard to find for a 2 door and expensive (in aluminum) when I can find 1

Driveshaft moves downward with the front axle. The driveshaft to trans skid bar clearance is actually a limiting factor in the amount of droop you can achieve.

That said, the stock skid bar definitely has saved my stock driveshaft. This hit bent the bar up about an inch in addition to the dent.

 

[Sazabi19]

Driveshaft moves downward with the front axle. The driveshaft to trans skid bar clearance is actually a limiting factor in the amount of droop you can achieve.

That said, the stock skid bar definitely has saved my stock driveshaft. This hit bent the bar up about an inch in addition to the dent.

Holy crap, glad it saved it then. I figured it was moving but didn't know if they could put a plate there at the bottom end.

 

[GATORB8]

Holy crap, glad it saved it then. I figured it was moving but didn't know if they could put a plate there at the bottom end.

There are some diff plates that cover more of the pinion area, Next Venture comes to mind.

Whatever it is, would need to be axle mounted and move with it. For example, from stuff to full droop, my axle moves over 9", with 10"+ being a few parts away.

 

[BigMaCro]

I wish @NextVenture would make 4xe skids. And that I'd win powerball so I could afford them.

 

[Bmeister]

Go metal cloak, they are only a 100 pounds more but the slide over rocks so much better.

This^
Aluminum skids will enable rocks to dig in and drag/grab the skid whereas steel skids let you slide easily. Steel skid plates also don't have the cyclical fatigue of aluminum. The weight savings is not worth it for long term abuse.

 

[Naylia]

IMO, the most important is the engine oil pan/transmission oil pan skid on the JLs. .....
....
IMO, however, the stock stuff will hold up fine against branches and such, I'd just add the lighter duty engine/trans skid and call it good were I in your shoes.

This is what I plan to add to mine along with a diff cover. The 4xe actually has quite a lot of armor underneath it stock. Folks should crawl under it and poke around before just running out and buying a full kit for $2k+.

 

[installer88]

I can’t say enough good things about the metalcloak undercloak skids. They take a beating and cover a lot.

 

[Ratbert]

Go metal cloak, they are only a 100 pounds more but the slide over rocks so much better.

Even if you get UHMW?

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