Skid Plate Upgrade

[rickeyf413]

You'll lose clearance with skids designed to go over existing skids.

Thanks for the tip. It sounds like I’m going to keep what I already have and make sure the engine\oil pan area, transmission, and LCAs are next on my list to add when needed. When the time comes it’ll depend on where I am financially as to which brand or brands I’ll go with, but thanks everyone for all the great advice.

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[rickeyf413]

I’m up in VA right now visiting family so I think I may give Peters Mill Run a go next Monday before heading back to LA.

 

[Tr4ckD4ys]

Lots of good choices out there and a few crappy ones. We went with a full set of Metalcloak belly skids, and Next Venture diff skids. Very satisfied with both brands.

Besides the increased cost of aluminum vs steel, there is usually a reason some skids seem very inexpensive compared to others made out of the same material.

How big is the impact of heavy steel skid plates on vehicle performance and mpg? Is it comparable to sizing up in tires? Any concerns about vehicle load ratings et cetera?

 

[yokramer]

How big is the impact of heavy steel skid plates on vehicle performance and mpg? Is it comparable to sizing up in tires? Any concerns about vehicle load ratings et cetera?

I didnt notice any difference in MPG when I put the Undercloak on.

 

[_olllllllo_]

I went with the Quadratec aluminum engine/tranny, transfer case, and fuel tank skids. I have designed a lot of different things and the sheet metal in the Quadratec skids have dimples that allow the bolt to be recessed in the dimple to protect them from damage. I like that they use bolts instead of countersunk screws and the dimples actually make the skid plate less resistant to bending. I have beaten mine up and they still look great. They were half the price of some of the big name brands as well. No matter which brand you choose, protecting the engine drain bolt and oil pan is a smart choice.

 

[Terrymo]

How big is the impact of heavy steel skid plates on vehicle performance and mpg? Is it comparable to sizing up in tires? Any concerns about vehicle load ratings et cetera?

I’m retired and the Jeep is our fun vehicle for around town and off-road. I didn’t feel a big difference, and I ignore my gas mileage mostly because I’m not commuting and probably don’t want to know. I have OEM 4.56 gears with the auto trans so haven’t felt a big impact with 37s and any additional weight from skids, tools, etc. Regarding performance, I drive like a little old lady on and off-road according to my wife.

 

[jadmt]

You'll lose clearance with skids designed to go over existing skids.

with Asfir4x4 gas tank skin you lose just the thickness of the skid itself as it fits nice and tight.

 

[jadmt]

How big is the impact of heavy steel skid plates on vehicle performance and mpg? Is it comparable to sizing up in tires? Any concerns about vehicle load ratings et cetera?

no different than if you had a 150lb passenger vs just driving solo....ie no difference in the real world.. my Asfir skids are much lighter and just nice peace of mind..

 

[bd100]

I went with the Quadratec aluminum engine/tranny, transfer case, and fuel tank skids

Another nice thing about them is the added strong cross braces. But paint the braces before install, the powder coat fails quickly. And they reduce ground clearance a little. But you can still access things like the transfer case drain without removing the skids. Just put a shallow pan on top of the skid to catch the fluid. And the skids can be removed individually for access. Anti-seize the bolts on install. And a good oil drain access port.

I'll also recommend a removable hitch skid.

And the various control arm and shock skids are nice but would be better if they allowed the bolts to compress the bushings without having to also pinch the skids. Drill out one side to allow a stack of washers to transmit the compression past the skid and directly to the bushing. And paint them before install, as again the powder coat fails quickly.

 

[Ratbert]

How big is the impact of heavy steel skid plates on vehicle performance and mpg? Is it comparable to sizing up in tires? Any concerns about vehicle load ratings et cetera?

In theory (assuming you do a full underbody thing like NVM's, etc.) you'd have better airflow underneath. No clue if that counters the weight or not though.

 

[Ratbert]

with Asfir4x4 gas tank skin you lose just the thickness of the skid itself as it fits nice and tight.

I don't know about the new NVM skids, but with the originals (for the EcoDiesel at least) you gained a half inch of clearance.

 

[Category5Bronado]

I’m a fan of my metal cloak skids.

 

[Phantom01231]

If you havent yet start with LCA skids and shock skids, I went with Rustys LCA and Rancho Shock cause at the time they were the most cost effective.

Then go play at Uwharrie and see if you hit anything else. The 2 door break over angle is extremely good and works just fine out there until you start doing the Front Side of Daniel and Dickey Bell. Once you figure out if you need it or not then pick up the Undercloak if you want to save a bit of money or go full out with the Next Venture skids.

I ended up doing 90% of Uwharrie on a Stock Rubi and then the 3 Ds on 35s with only the LCA and Shock skids. I really recommend go and experience what you want to do before spending extra money on things you arent going to use. Also dont worry about weight so much especially with skids since they are the lowest weight which is where you want it.

damn I miss Uwharrie. I do not how ever miss the possum that stole my lunch! Does Troy still have that tiny ass 1980s Walmart or did they ever upgrade

 

[3TV]

You'll lose clearance with skids designed to go over existing skids.

And you'll gain clearance if you rely on the stock skid plates..

 

[3TV]

I'm a fan of Metalcloak skids. I installed them on my 392 three years ago and they have taken a real beating with nothing but scrapes in the finish. The gold zinc coating inhibits rust, and even after scratching them on rocks they don't rust. This year I installed another set of Metalcloak skids on a new 2-door Rubicon. They fit like a glove and I'm sure they will be bulletproof. I noticed an actual improvement in handling and suspension from the skids. I think that extra weight hanging on the bottom of the frame made it feel more stable in turns. I have the same Metalcloak Black shocks that several people have commented about their Metalcloak Black shocks being too stiff. That is because they are set up for a Jeep with lots of steel, including bumpers, rocksliders, skids, and other armor. My 2-door had also felt a little stiff, but after adding the Metalcloak skids it has started feeling just right. So chalk me up as one of the people that say steel skid plates improved the way their Jeep drives.

It is interesting though, that at the same time I was getting ready to install the Metalcloak skids on my 2-door we had purchased a Jeep Compass with the Trail Hawk package. That package includes "off road skid plates". I had just been underneath my 2-door Rubicon, and stock skids were almost non-existent. Just a couple of bars and a small square skid under the transfer case, and that's it. I looked under the Compass to see what they called "off road skids" and was surprised. The entire belly of the Compass Trail Hawk is skid plated. From just behind the front bumper to just in front of the back bumper, and from rocker panel to rocker panel, the whole thing is skid plated. I think Jeep got mixed up on which model was their off road Jeep. I don't know why they don't put better skid plates on their real off road Jeep, but they don't.

Here are the Metalcloak skids on my 2-door.

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