Skid plate

[Rubi6mt]

I have the Rustys, I choose these because the ground clearance is better than Metal Cloak. They are solid, and I have no regrets. Rusty is great to work with.

The only thing I dont like about these is that they leave the exhaust down pipe somewhat exposed.

They are going to get torn up anyway, I'd just assume leave them unpainted... I coat mine every year with Surface Shield. Works great for other areas as well. Good practice if you use your jeep on trails like it was made for!
https://blasterproducts.com/product/surface-shield/

I have a friend running the Metal Cloak and his are bent into the exhaust pipe resting on it. I'd rather not have that to be honest. Plus Rusty's are cheaper, get the whole kit with the gas tank skid, the factory one is not strong enough for wheeling.

Oh man. I was looking at Rusty's and ultimately went with Metalcloak (on order) specifically because there is better coverage on the exhaust crossover. Hope it doesn't get bent when I hit the rocks but if it does, I'll be sure to post here.

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[BobW]

I had RockHard 4X4 Aluminum skids on my 21 JLRUD and they fit perfectly. Easy on and off and held up well for my light/moderate bashing. When I bought a 23 3.6 with E-Torque, I bought a set for it. I found that the oil pan skid didn't fit with the braces, so I called and they said that they had different supports for my slightly different 2023 motor mounts which are different than earlier years mounts, they sent them right out, but they didn't fit any better. Almost a year later, I queried them again and said they would send out a set that would fit, and I never saw them. After an extended trip, I removed all skids for dealer service/checking, and found the skid covering the resonator/E-Torque battery had been rubbing on the resonator. Had I not removed it I would have not found the interference. My solution was to use a hole saw and cut a 2" hole in the offending area. These, also, are easy on and off with minimal fussing. With some minor shaving, I have no interference with either Next Venture diff skids although I'm not using the oil pan skid.

I also find on/off pretty easy, flat on my garage floor (steel would have been impossible for me). I did have resonator rubbing under some conditions, mitigated by wedging some exhaust manifold tape between resonator and skid.
Next time, I'm going to drill some drain holes in the main pan to allow washing out gravel and sand.

 

[Terrymo]

Oh man. I was looking at Rusty's and ultimately went with Metalcloak (on order) specifically because there is better coverage on the exhaust crossover. Hope it doesn't get bent when I hit the rocks but if it does, I'll be sure to post here.

AWE and Magnaflow make an exhaust loop delete. I installed the Magnaflow. Easy install either before or after you dent that section of the pipe. I felt no loss of power and no change in exhaust volume.

 

[Rubi6mt]

AWE and Magnaflow make an exhaust loop delete. I installed the Magnaflow. Easy install either before or after you dent that section of the pipe. I felt no loss of power and no change in exhaust volume.

Hey thanks for the heads up!

I have a 392 so wonder if they have something similar.

Will check it out.

 

[Terrymo]

Hey thanks for the heads up!

I have a 392 so wonder if they have something similar.

Will check it out.

Oops didn’t catch that.

 

[Rubi6mt]

Oops didn’t catch that.

Just picked up the Jeep from the shop. The skids look pretty beefy but time will tell. First offroad trip is this weekend, 2 days out on the rocks. Only time they will look this pretty lol.

Had the exhaust tips rotated and pins grinded down so I can relocate them if they get bashed

Exhaust crossover section looks pretty well build with good coverage

Rounded it off with LCA skids and ARB diff covers

 

[COMBAT DOG]

Just picked up the Jeep from the shop. The skids look pretty beefy but time will tell. First offroad trip is this weekend, 2 days out on the rocks. Only time they will look this pretty lol.

Had the exhaust tips rotated and pins grinded down so I can relocate them if they get bashed

Exhaust crossover section looks pretty well build with good coverage

Rounded it off with LCA skids and ARB diff covers

The thing in the last pic with ARB stamped, what is it? The guy at the Jeep shop told me the stock one is very prone to rupture and it should be replaced, is that correct? Also, until your post, I didn’t think about skid plates, doesn’t the X come with enough skid plates?

 

[Terrymo]

Aftermarket Differential Cover

 

[Rubi6mt]

The thing in the last pic with ARB stamped, what is it? The guy at the Jeep shop told me the stock one is very prone to rupture and it should be replaced, is that correct? Also, until your post, I didn’t think about skid plates, doesn’t the X come with enough skid plates?

That's theARB front diff cover:
https://store.arbusa.com/differential-cover-dana-m210-0750011b/

The stock stamp steel diff covers can peel back like a can of tuna if you get the housing wedged on a rock.

ARB covers are made out of thick iron and will resist damage. Plus helps with axle housing integrity.

As to whether or not you need skids, that's entirely up to where you will take your Jeep.

For me, I do some pretty decent trails and want the extra protection.

Trails like these (this is my with my 2021 JLUR):

 

[Terrymo]

Here’s some suspension and steering component info

 

[Terrymo]

Typical aftermarket skid plate coverage to compare to the minimal lightweight factory skids

 

[Rubi6mt]

Typical aftermarket skid plate coverage to compare to the minimal lightweight factory skids

looks familiar

 

[Artec]

Rustys if you can afford the weight. Artec if you need to keep the weight low. Metal glide, aluminum gouges.

Certain grades on Aluminum Gouges The 6061TJ we use does not Gouge or Gull up on rocks its property's are closer to steel but still has the memory and flexibility of aluminum without the weight of steel . Which is another reason we don't need UHMW on our skids as they just glide right over rocks. due to the Grade of Aluminum we use in our skid plates.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Certain grades on Aluminum Gouges The 6061TJ we use does not Gouge or Gull up on rocks its property's are closer to steel but still has the memory and flexibility of aluminum without the weight of steel . Which is another reason we don't need UHMW on our skids as they just glide right over rocks. due to the Grade of Aluminum we use in our skid plates.

Oh nice. My wife has Artec skids on her Jeep.

 

[lashlee]

I can attest that the Artec skids on my wife's JLUR will slide over rocks without galling up. Our normal wheeling spot is WIndrock park here in Tennessee but we've wheeled in Moab also!

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