GtX
Well-Known Member
I wish Skidrow made a full set for the JL. I had them on my 2001 Xterra and beat the hell out of them and never had an issue. And their sliders too.
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I wish Skidrow made a full set for the JL. I had them on my 2001 Xterra and beat the hell out of them and never had an issue. And their sliders too.
I have a thread where I compared the 2 full belly systems I have personally used. Metalcloak on my 2019, and Motobilt on my 2020. If you search for threads created by me you be be able to find it.Would love to know any reviews of skids people have installed or new systems anyone has found. It might be a bit before I purchase, but looking at my options for skid systems before I break something.
Most important or common areas of concern have been the oil pan/transmission lines and the exhaust loop under the driver's seat. It doesn't look like all options address the exhaust loop. For some harder wheeling, I understand the gas tank skid. However, I've heard very few stories of anyone causing damage with the factory skid. Even on the rubicon trail, that skid seems to hold up fine.
I'd love to do a full belly pan option but I honestly don't want to spend that much or add that much weight for my current wheeling level. Looking for some option between. The most appealing has been the Evo Protek with the exhaust skid. It only adds a net 25# increase over stock and protects everything that is vulnerable. Anyone have any experience with that? The only thing I don't like is that they don't have an option to replace the factory transfer case skid. I'd like to get rid of that last perforated cross member that seems to get hung up a lot.
How has all the aluminum held up? I haven't heard anything bad. That Artec aluminum belly pan looks amazing and only adds I think 8# over stock. However, at $2k price tag, I just can't justify yet. I see several have done the quadratec aluminum. The engine and transfer tank skid have a ship weight of 80# so I'm guessing not much weight savings. Must be the steel cross members.
It ain't cheap, but the Artec aluminum belly pan is worth it's weight in gold. It only adds about 10 pounds if I remember right and actually increases clearance and breakover angle due to removing the factory gas tank skid. I have beat the hell out of it and it has held up fantastically.Would love to know any reviews of skids people have installed or new systems anyone has found. It might be a bit before I purchase, but looking at my options for skid systems before I break something.
Most important or common areas of concern have been the oil pan/transmission lines and the exhaust loop under the driver's seat. It doesn't look like all options address the exhaust loop. For some harder wheeling, I understand the gas tank skid. However, I've heard very few stories of anyone causing damage with the factory skid. Even on the rubicon trail, that skid seems to hold up fine.
I'd love to do a full belly pan option but I honestly don't want to spend that much or add that much weight for my current wheeling level. Looking for some option between. The most appealing has been the Evo Protek with the exhaust skid. It only adds a net 25# increase over stock and protects everything that is vulnerable. Anyone have any experience with that? The only thing I don't like is that they don't have an option to replace the factory transfer case skid. I'd like to get rid of that last perforated cross member that seems to get hung up a lot.
How has all the aluminum held up? I haven't heard anything bad. That Artec aluminum belly pan looks amazing and only adds I think 8# over stock. However, at $2k price tag, I just can't justify yet. I see several have done the quadratec aluminum. The engine and transfer tank skid have a ship weight of 80# so I'm guessing not much weight savings. Must be the steel cross members.
Evo protek was easy to install and the material is very very stout. I would suggest this option to everyone.
Additional bump stop extensions? Do they really recommend that? Why would a skid plate require more bump stop?Do you happen to be on stock ride height? If so did you install a bump stop extension? I have this same plate in my garage for my 2020 JLUR but I havent installed it because I did not order the extensions and saw they are recommended in the instructions. Would love to install it lol
I've been told that its possibly due to the drive shaft or control arms contacting the plate. I haven't been able to find anyone complaining about it though so am trying to find people with experience with the skid plate before I buy the bump extensions.Additional bump stop extensions? Do they really recommend that? Why would a skid plate require more bump stop?
This is the skid I've had my eye on. But I didn't know the bump stop was a thing. Seems odd. I just like that it protects what I want without the cost or weight of a fully belly pan. I wish more companies like motobilt or metalcloak or artec would provide a similar style setup.
Weird. Seems like that would only be a down-travel thing. I'll watch and see what you find. I wish there were more options to cover just the oil pan and transmission lines.I've been told that its possibly due to the drive shaft or control arms contacting the plate. I haven't been able to find anyone complaining about it though so am trying to find people with experience with the skid plate before I buy the bump extensions.
Im not sure why bump stops would be needed but my jeep has a 3.5” liftDo you happen to be on stock ride height? If so did you install a bump stop extension? I have this same plate in my garage for my 2020 JLUR but I havent installed it because I did not order the extensions and saw they are recommended in the instructions. Would love to install it lol
I understand that for the Evo skids you have to remove the factory crossmember? Thoughts on this? Any long term effects?Evo protek was easy to install and the material is very very stout. I would suggest this option to everyone.
I understand that for the Evo skids you have to remove the factory crossmember? Thoughts on this? Any long term effects?Evo makes a system that works with the factory skids. That’s what I’ll do - I’m a believer in factory skid plates. Yes, there are tougher out there, but I’m not hard core and am happy to take bypasses.
http://evomfg.com/EVO-MFG-Products/Wrangler-JL-JLU/EVO-MFG-JL-JLU-ProTek-Armor
I believe the Quadratec instruction say to remove the factory transfer case skid plate. Did you keep it on? If yes, any problems?I haven't had a chance to take it off road yet, but the Quadratec Engine and transmission skid plate I installed last week seems stout and up to the task. Plus it's modular so I can add the transfer case skid later if I feel inclined to do so. It's also made of aluminum so I'm not adding much weight to the Jeep.