Anyone running Motobilt skids on their Diesel Gladiator?

[Trail_Limo_Tim]

Motobilt makes full belly skids (steel) for the diesel and I’m wondering if you give up any ground clearance with them? They look nice and flat. I know some of the factory crossmembers are major hang up points/the lowest points. Do these skids sort of sit flush with the bottom of the frame rails more?

The fuel filter housing is probably the most vulnerable piece in its factory location since it hangs below the frame rail, even with its cute little skid plate. I’ve seen at least one company makes a relocation bracket to raise the filter housing. That seems like a good idea, but I think the fuel tank sits slightly below the frame rail anyway so the filter housing might not need relocating if going with fully flat belly skids.

Anyone with Motobilt skids have some pictures from the side profile while looking under the Jeep? Looks like you maybe give up a little ground clearance, but not much.

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[MaximusTX]

Motobilt makes full belly skids (steel) for the diesel and I’m wondering if you give up any ground clearance with them? They look nice and flat. I know some of the factory crossmembers are major hang up points/the lowest points. Do these skids sort of sit flush with the bottom of the frame rails more?

The fuel filter housing is probably the most vulnerable piece in its factory location since it hangs below the frame rail, even with its cute little skid plate. I’ve seen at least one company makes a relocation bracket to raise the filter housing. That seems like a good idea, but I think the fuel tank sits slightly below the frame rail anyway so the filter housing might not need relocating if going with fully flat belly skids.

Anyone with Motobilt skids have some pictures from the side profile while looking under the Jeep? Looks like you maybe give up a little ground clearance, but not much.

I don't have those ones but am running the Metal Cloak Ones. Let me know if you want any info on those ones.

UnderCloak Integrated Armor System, JT Gladiator, Diesel

 

[fourfa]

And I have the Next Venture Motorsports on my diesel, happy to share. I don’t recall seeing anyone with the Motobilts but hope you shake one loose here

edit: aluminum version, with the UHMW add-on

 

[Trail_Limo_Tim]

I don't have those ones but am running the Metal Cloak Ones. Let me know if you want any info on those ones.

UnderCloak Integrated Armor System, JT Gladiator, Diesel

And I have the Next Venture Motorsports on my diesel, happy to share. I don’t recall seeing anyone with the Motobilts but hope you shake one loose here

Thanks guys. Are they worth it? I think both of yours have access panels for oil change and fuel filter?

 

[fourfa]

Yep access cover panel, smooth with the rest of the skid

worth it - all these options are very expensive, so it’s gonna be hard for us to answer for you. OTOH I just completed the Rubicon with nothing broken and was on the belly skids the entire time.

 

[Trail_Limo_Tim]

Yep access cover panel, smooth with the rest of the skid

worth it - all these options are very expensive, so it’s gonna be hard for us to answer for you. OTOH I just completed the Rubicon with nothing broken and was on the belly skids the entire time.

Yeah, my question of “is it worth it” depends on what’s important to me individually. Thanks for sharing your Rubicon experience with them. That’s helpful for sure. Did you have any issue with exhaust (DPF?) hanging up on any rocks? I see most skid designs seem to leave that area open, maybe for heat reasons. I don’t know.

 

[fourfa]

No exhaust contact in the middle. Little grind on the muffler tip was all

 

[Trail_Limo_Tim]

No exhaust contact in the middle. Little grind on the muffler tip was all

I will look through your photos more when I have a little more time. How many days were you on the trail?

 

[fourfa]

Planned on four, only needed two

 

[fourfa]

Sorry, you asked about oil drain too. There’s an oval slot cutout in the engine skid on mine - which made an absolute mess as it both overshot and undershot and the hot oil flowed all over and dripped out from the most unexpected places. I installed a Valvomax drain plug, so fortunately it was a one-time thing for me.

I’d plan to pull the engine skid unless the mess doesn’t matter to you

 

[MaximusTX]

Thanks guys. Are they worth it? I think both of yours have access panels for oil change and fuel filter?

The metal cloak ones are very thick and sturdy but the mounts are not as solid or I just hit them pretty hard as mine shifted and I ended up catching my rear pinion on the skid plate at full extension but I also have 44inches of flex. The oil drain has a hole in the front and the fuel filter has a flush mounted access panel you can remove. You can check out pics on my build thread. The skid plate is on post #88. I also completed the Rubicon trail a couple months back and that's where I found out about the pinion catching the skid plate. It held up fine on the trail otherwise.

Maximus Build Thread

 

[Trail_Limo_Tim]

Thanks, fellas!

 

[Chance575]

Metal cloak here and they work great

 

[ATX_Jeeper]

I have the Artec skids to save weight since I drive on the road more than dirt. Quality parts and smooth belly.

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