Skid plates on a 2020 JLUS?

[TrailJoy]

Is there front and back? Where are they located (what do they protect)? What's NOT protected? Are they sufficient or is a replacement worth the $$? My googling is coming up empty (as is searching the forums).

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[word302]

Is there front and back? Where are they located (what do they protect)? What's NOT protected? Are they sufficient or is a replacement worth the $$? My googling is coming up empty (as is searching the forums).

Just look underneath. It's pretty lacking. If you're going to do any serious off-roading you'll want to make some changes under there.

 

[MarkY3130]

Here’s an undercarriage shot. Basically the transfer case has a small, light duty skid. There are a couple crossmembers. And the fuel tank has a light gauge skid.

Up to your use case on if you need more protection and heavier duty protection.

The most vulnerable places in my opinion are the lower control arms f/r, the diffs, and the rear shock mounts. I also hit the exhaust cross over and the factory skids before adding other solutions.

 

[TrailJoy]

Here’s an undercarriage shot.

WOW. I thought for sure there would be more. We’re going to try to find a dry place in the next few days to take a look, but we’ve had so much snow (and rain, and more snow)... thanks for the diagram. That’s really helpful! And scary that so little is protected.

Where did you find this? Is there one of the JLUR? I’m curious to see the difference.

 

[melendez69]

WOW. I thought for sure there would be more. We’re going to try to find a dry place in the next few days to take a look, but we’ve had so much snow (and rain, and more snow)... thanks for the diagram. That’s really helpful! And scary that so little is protected.

Where did you find this? Is there one of the JLUR? I’m curious to see the difference.

The diagram is for a 3.6 from CJ Pony Parts & there's not much difference (if any at all) among the Rubicon, Sport, or Sahara. There's a slight difference with the 2.0 4-cylinder... there are skids available given the battery location. Prior to installing a full skid system, skids for the muffler, LCA's, FAD, etc., I've scraped up just about everything on rocks (but no serious damage). The stock skids are flimsy. The diff covers need protection...as does the steering stabilizer, oil pan & drain plug...but as @MarkY3130 mentioned, it depends on usage.

Nice work, Mark.

 

[ChattVol]

The diagram is for a 3.6 from CJ Pony Parts & there's not much difference (if any at all) among the Rubicon, Sport, or Sahara. There's a slight difference with the 2.0 4-cylinder... there are skids available given the battery location. Prior to installing a full skid system, skids for the muffler, LCA's, FAD, etc., I've scraped up just about everything on rocks (but no serious damage). The stock skids are flimsy. The diff covers need protection...as does the steering stabilizer, oil pan & drain plug...but as @MarkY3130 mentioned, it depends on usage.

Nice work, Mark.

The rear lca/shock mount is obviously the low point and in harm's way. Putting the front diff drain plug on the bottom lowest part was an awful choice by FCA. Outside of those, stock skids are fine for the vast majority.

 

[ThirtyOne]

The rear lca/shock mount is obviously the low point and in harm's way. Putting the front diff drain plug on the bottom lowest part was an awful choice by FCA. Outside of those, stock skids are fine for the vast majority.

I agree. Skids are heavy and expensive. So be thoughtful about the skids you add.

 

[quietpeen]

The rubicon skids are no different than what is in the diagram above.

 

[ChattVol]

I agree. Skids are heavy and expensive. So be thoughtful about the skids you add.

Agreed...Eddie at way of life site beats the heck out of his jeeps and only runs the Evo oil pan skid and a Rancho front diff skid and rear lca skid. His stock skids have worked well.

 

[TrailJoy]

I agree. Skids are heavy and expensive. So be thoughtful about the skids you add.

I don’t know if I’ll be adding any, but I figured it’s good to know where your protection is. I’m quite surprised as how little there is though!

The rubicon skids are no different than what is in the diagram above.

Are you sure? I was under the impression that Sahara’s only have front protection whereas Rubicons have both front and back. Now having said that, I don’t know exactly what that means. (The diagram helps!)

 

[quietpeen]

I don’t know if I’ll be adding any, but I figured it’s good to know where your protection is. I’m quite surprised as how little there is though!


Are you sure? I was under the impression that Sahara’s only have front protection whereas Rubicons have both front and back. Now having said that, I don’t know exactly what that means. (The diagram helps!)

Positive, Here is a picture of them minus the gas tank skid(I don’t have it anymore)

 

[BobW]

The diagram is definitely instructive. I admit I was a bit taken aback when I slid underneath to check the Rubicon plates. Pretty minimalist compared to the Mopar OEM plates I added to (and dented on) my old Cherokee years ago.

 

[zeebo56]

I think diff skid plates are a must. I jammed my front against a huge rock and the front diff skid took some paint damage but did a great job of protection.

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