Skid plate advice.

[PuddleJumper]

So i have the full factory setup that the Mojave comes with. However I'd like to go full Aluminum and add a bit more coverage. Any recommendation as to the best bang for buck option? I've been looking at the ASFIR4x4.

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[Escape.idiocracy]

Artech. Light, increases clearance, well made.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Artech. Light, increases clearance, well made.

i'll look into it thx

 

[Escape.idiocracy]

i'll look into it thx

https://artecindustries.com/collect...l-bellypan-with-oil-door-3-0l-diesel-aluminum

I should have added this- if you are looking for aluminum with a sacrificial skin look here:
https://nextventuremotorsports.com/
No experience with next venture- though they look very well made ???

 

[KevinM60]

So i have the full factory setup that the Mojave comes with. However I'd like to go full Aluminum and add a bit more coverage. Any recommendation as to the best bang for buck option? I've been looking at the ASFIR4x4.

I've been researching too. My Mojave came with the Fuel tank and Transfer case skids already in place so I'm looking to piece together whatever else I may need to complete the package.
Dif and LCA skids are the first thing to come to my attention.

 

[PuddleJumper]

I've been researching too. My Mojave came with the Fuel tank and Transfer case skids already in place so I'm looking to piece together whatever else I may need to complete the package.
Dif and LCA skids are the first thing to come to my attention.

i just wanna change out the existing steel to aluminium to shave weight while expanding coverage. I dont think I'd ever smack the oil plan but I'd rather not find out the hard way.

 

[KevinM60]

i just wanna change out the existing steel to aluminium to shave weight while expanding coverage. I dont think I'd ever smack the oil plan but I'd rather not find out the hard way.

Those full belly skids are pretty impressive.

 

[MrClortho]

I am running Quadratec's aluminum set...so far so good after a year or so.

https://www.quadratec.com/vehicle/j...-plates/?f[0]=sm_field_brand:taxonomy_term:13

 

[Escape.idiocracy]

i just wanna change out the existing steel to aluminium to shave weight while expanding coverage. I dont think I'd ever smack the oil plan but I'd rather not find out the hard way.

I thought the same thing… playing in big bear drug/rolled a rock under the front axle and it stood up just right… thankfully just dented the pan an no puncture….

Something else to consider when on the hunt- piecing together skids to cover gaps is a save now spend later approach. Most of these systems are designed to integrate together and make for the most seamless or catch free skid design. Given the wheel base of the gladiator, my opinion would be to go for the most cohesive system you can…. Helps with “sliding” over the rocks.

I also am a fan of weight reduction and no rust with aluminum, but something to be mindful of is the type of rocks you wheel… south west “mostly” has smoother rocks, however sharp jagged rocks will still gouge the aluminum and cause hang ups…. The cross member is not very strong either, so having a system that replaces the stock cross member or provides ample coverage here is great ?? - depending on your lift, this might already be replaced though.

 

[PuddleJumper]

I thought the same thing… playing in big bear drug/rolled a rock under the front axle and it stood up just right… thankfully just dented the pan an no puncture….

Something else to consider when on the hunt- piecing together skids to cover gaps is a save now spend later approach. Most of these systems are designed to integrate together and make for the most seamless or catch free skid design. Given the wheel base of the gladiator, my opinion would be to go for the most cohesive system you can…. Helps with “sliding” over the rocks.

I also am a fan of weight reduction and no rust with aluminum, but something to be mindful of is the type of rocks you wheel… south west “mostly” has smoother rocks, however sharp jagged rocks will still gouge the aluminum and cause hang ups…. The cross member is not very strong either, so having a system that replaces the stock cross member or provides ample coverage here is great ?? - depending on your lift, this might already be replaced though.

solid advice. thx

 

[chorky]

I am running Quadratec's aluminum set...so far so good after a year or so.

https://www.quadratec.com/vehicle/jeep-gladiator-jt-parts/jeep-armor-protection/skid-plates/?f[0]=sm_field_brand:taxonomy_term:13

I second these as best bang for the buck. But we need context here. What is your use case? Do you go off road a lot? Rocks? Or just drive forest roads? It's hard to give advice without context of use.

For example, me - I wanted some extra protection 'just in case', but I do not plan on purposefully taking hard core off road trails. Most of my desires for protection is for the random thick branch that jumps up with the intention to puncture the oil or trans pan. Or the accidental smack on the bump stops with a unknown big and sharp rock right under a pan.

 

[Jaxmax]

Unless you go with one of the full belly skids that eliminates the factory fuel tank skid plate, you will not be saving weight. One system I really like is the New Venture full belly skid with UMHW board on the aluminum. They are not cheap, but the basic aluminum version adds only twenty pounds to your vehicle, plus gives you more ground clearence by like about 3/4". They look very well thought out but I couldn't justify the cost, but they just came out with a modular system that lets you buy the oil pan skid, and can add the rest later. I went with bare aluminum, oil pan skid and it is really the only place totally lacking a skid as there is a factory one there for transmission. Mine showed up last week and I'm planning on installing second week in march when I have time for a bunch of projects.
Before you get a full belly skid there are other areas that should be done perhaps first, FAD skid, Rear axle shock / lower control arm skid, Front lower control arm skids front and rear,(Rusty's are great), rear bumper hitch skid, exhaust loop skid, diff covers or skids.
I run a Mojave which is a little bit higher then a Rubicon, and am not lifting, I have all of the above skids on my Mojave, installing front lower control arm and oil pan skids in March, perhaps the exhaust loop skid but that has issue of requiring you to remove the factory skid, so I will be fabbing something perhaps.
To further confuse you even more New Venture makes amazing differential skids front and rear that also protect the pinon end to, but do hang lower then my diffs with cast iron covers.

So there ya have it, after thinking of your use and realizing there already is a pretty nice fuel tank skid, how hard do you wheel, me I'm a poser but do wheel sometimes and the peace of mind when you hear things banging underneath is priceless with skids!......Jack

 

[PuddleJumper]

I second these as best bang for the buck. But we need context here. What is your use case? Do you go off road a lot? Rocks? Or just drive forest roads? It's hard to give advice without context of use.

For example, me - I wanted some extra protection 'just in case', but I do not plan on purposefully taking hard core off road trails. Most of my desires for protection is for the random thick branch that jumps up with the intention to puncture the oil or trans pan. Or the accidental smack on the bump stops with a unknown big and sharp rock right under a pan.

i beat the piss out of this thing and i wheel all over the US with plans to hit south america. its gonna get obliterated.

 

[chorky]

i beat the piss out of this thing and i wheel all over the US with plans to hit south america. its gonna get obliterated.

Fair statement. With that being said, I think buying the 'best bang for the buck' is a very bad idea, and if you intend to beat the crap out of it, you want the absolute best of the best.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Unless you go with one of the full belly skids that eliminates the factory fuel tank skid plate, you will not be saving weight. One system I really like is the New Venture full belly skid with UMHW board on the aluminum. They are not cheap, but the basic aluminum version adds only twenty pounds to your vehicle, plus gives you more ground clearence by like about 3/4". They look very well thought out but I couldn't justify the cost, but they just came out with a modular system that lets you buy the oil pan skid, and can add the rest later. I went with bare aluminum, oil pan skid and it is really the only place totally lacking a skid as there is a factory one there for transmission. Mine showed up last week and I'm planning on installing second week in march when I have time for a bunch of projects.
Before you get a full belly skid there are other areas that should be done perhaps first, FAD skid, Rear axle shock / lower control arm skid, Front lower control arm skids front and rear,(Rusty's are great), rear bumper hitch skid, exhaust loop skid, diff covers or skids.
I run a Mojave which is a little bit higher then a Rubicon, and am not lifting, I have all of the above skids on my Mojave, installing front lower control arm and oil pan skids in March, perhaps the exhaust loop skid but that has issue of requiring you to remove the factory skid, so I will be fabbing something perhaps.
To further confuse you even more New Venture makes amazing differential skids front and rear that also protect the pinon end to, but do hang lower then my diffs with cast iron covers.

So there ya have it, after thinking of your use and realizing there already is a pretty nice fuel tank skid, how hard do you wheel, me I'm a poser but do wheel sometimes and the peace of mind when you hear things banging underneath is priceless with skids!......Jack

i plan on a full kit. the gas skid is too heavy for what it can protect you from. sand is fine, sharp rocks, nope.

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