You pretty much answered my question as to whether or not there are any clearance issues with the Next Venture diff skids (I assume you didn't have any issues with them, do you have to the front also?).I’ve got the aluminum Artec setup and love it. I’ve turtled a few times and the skids haven’t deformed at all. The aluminum does gouge easier than steel, but it hasn’t seemed to cause any problems. This means the aluminum ones will “wear out” faster than the steel ones, but I’m fine with that. I went aluminum to keep the weight off and not worry about rust.
My “favorite” skid is the NextVenture rear diff skid. I’ve beat the hell out of mine and grateful for the length it is. Protects the pinion yolk all the way out the back. Even with 37’s, the rear diff will hit pretty often on the rocks out here in AZ.
Naw, got the MC front skid. NV only released their front skid just a short time ago. So, not gonna swap those out at any point in time unless I somehow manage to destroy the front MC one.
If I had to hazard a guess, it would be clearance between the front upper control arms and the brackets that support the oil pan skid, especially the driver’s side one. Nothing else suspension related really even comes close. This picture is with approximately 3.5” of lift.
Good idea......but nope. It’s the front diff that hits the support arms for the skid. I know this for a fact because I installed the skids with no lift. The website didn’t say I needed a lift when I ordered it, so on it went. First drive down the street and BOOM, it bottoms out. Got the Jeep home and crawled under. The ribs that support the front pinon hit in 2 spots on the skid support. Pulled it out and started grinding on it. I eventually clearanced it enough to stop hitting. After my 3.5” lift was put on, I’ve now got a ton of clearance.
Yup, trial and error with the grinder. I think that support piece came out 5 times before I got it to work. I didn't want to take off too much material, so I took my time.
Well, my guess was close. Right bracket, wrong contact point. LolGood idea......but nope. It’s the front diff that hits the support arms for the skid. I know this for a fact because I installed the skids with no lift. The website didn’t say I needed a lift when I ordered it, so on it went. First drive down the street and BOOM, it bottoms out. Got the Jeep home and crawled under. The ribs that support the front pinon hit in 2 spots on the skid support. Pulled it out and started grinding on it. I eventually clearanced it enough to stop hitting. After my 3.5” lift was put on, I’ve now got a ton of clearance.
Yeah, adding a 1” puck would have worked. But, it was my DD at that point and I couldn’t wait for a bumpstop kit to show up. The metal I removed didn’t weaken the support very much as I’ve hit that skid a few times and nothing has moved.
Good idea......but nope. It’s the front diff that hits the support arms for the skid. I know this for a fact because I installed the skids with no lift. The website didn’t say I needed a lift when I ordered it, so on it went. First drive down the street and BOOM, it bottoms out. Got the Jeep home and crawled under. The ribs that support the front pinon hit in 2 spots on the skid support. Pulled it out and started grinding on it. I eventually clearanced it enough to stop hitting. After my 3.5” lift was put on, I’ve now got a ton of clearance.
