Skid Plate or lift? Opinions on need.

[vagabond]

I've got a Sport S with 3.73 gearing. Right now I have 33" KO2's and besides a front bumper & winch, that's pretty much all the mods I've done so far. I'd like to do more offroading, nothing major, more overlanding really but I'd like to be able to go on some of the more mild trails & passes in Colorado & other places. I figure right now I'm sitting maybe 1/2" lower or equal to a stock Rubicon. I'm not into rock climbing but a good lot of the trails to be on will have rocks, some larger than others. I also want to be able to drive it home after the trails/passes as it is a daily driver.
I don't really want to do a lift, 2" Mopar is what I've considered, since I like the way it looks now & I'm afraid with a lift I'd want to go to 35"s which I feel would really create a need to regear. 1k on tires already, not really wanting to do another 1k plus regear. There's also the possibility of a front leveling kit.
There's also the idea of the Rock Hard belly skid plates instead of the lift. My thoughts are without a lift a skid plate would almost be a necessity. I can probably fabricate a front skid plate if needed.
Which of these would be the better option? Or do I really need either one? If I could get by easily with what I've got, it's leave money for the more fun mods, like a sunrider top & maybe the Insane Audio Nav system. The list is endless....
I may be overthinking this or underestimating the capabilities of the Gladiator, it's the first Jeep I've owned so I figured I'd ask the people who have way more knowledge on these things than I do. Thanks!

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[Commodus]

I've got a Sport S with 3.73 gearing. Right now I have 33" KO2's and besides a front bumper & winch, that's pretty much all the mods I've done so far. I'd like to do more offroading, nothing major, more overlanding really but I'd like to be able to go on some of the more mild trails & passes in Colorado & other places. I figure right now I'm sitting maybe 1/2" lower or equal to a stock Rubicon. I'm not into rock climbing but a good lot of the trails to be on will have rocks, some larger than others. I also want to be able to drive it home after the trails/passes as it is a daily driver.
I don't really want to do a lift, 2" Mopar is what I've considered, since I like the way it looks now & I'm afraid with a lift I'd want to go to 35"s which I feel would really create a need to regear. 1k on tires already, not really wanting to do another 1k plus regear. There's also the possibility of a front leveling kit.
There's also the idea of the Rock Hard belly skid plates instead of the lift. My thoughts are without a lift a skid plate would almost be a necessity. I can probably fabricate a front skid plate if needed.
Which of these would be the better option? Or do I really need either one? If I could get by easily with what I've got, it's leave money for the more fun mods, like a sunrider top & maybe the Insane Audio Nav system. The list is endless....
I may be overthinking this or underestimating the capabilities of the Gladiator, it's the first Jeep I've owned so I figured I'd ask the people who have way more knowledge on these things than I do. Thanks!

I think with a winch a leveling kit is almost a must just to bring the front back up. Like you I do not want to lift my Rubi, but feel the need for a oil/trans. skid. Just waiting for someone to release one without having to purchase a complete skid system

 

[sass JT]

Here’s my .02 ... go to a trail you like, and go wheel it... if you come to a part that you don’t think you can make it turn around, head home and add what you need. Ie skids or lift or both...

If you want to make a decision now... get the armor, all it takes is one time and bamm your out of an oil pan and money for the cool mods.

or... just bite the bullet and do everything that you want...

but enjoy your rig... it is very capable.

 

[Xenephobe]

I think you should go with a 2 inch leveling kit on the front and run it as it is. 33s with a winch and leveling kit will be more that capable of what you're looking to do with it. Fab up a skid plate or buy a Rubicon one if you find think you need it.

 

[uplandgunner]

Northridge 4x4 has some skids for the JT other than the Rockhard full belly pan. Rubicon Express makes single unit skids for a bunch of areas.
https://www.northridge4x4.com/scp/exterior/armor/skid-plates

 

[vagabond]

Northridge 4x4 has some skids for the JT other than the Rockhard full belly pan. Rubicon Express makes single unit skids for a bunch of areas.
https://www.northridge4x4.com/scp/exterior/armor/skid-plates

Thanks for the info. I've seen the Northridge one as well. Rubicon express doesn't have any listed for the Gladiator. Would the ones for the Wrangler JL or another model fit?

 

[uplandgunner]

Thanks for the info. I've seen the Northridge one as well. Rubicon express doesn't have any listed for the Gladiator. Would the ones for the Wrangler JL or another model fit?

There are like four Rubicon express ones for the JT. Put your JT in the vehicle selector at the top of the page and they come up.

 

[WhatExit?]

Wheel first to make sure (1) you enjoy it and learn how to do it and then (2) decide on what you need.

You already bought a winch - do you "need" it?

 

[vagabond]

There are like four Rubicon express ones for the JT. Put your JT in the vehicle selector at the top of the page and they come up.

Wierd, I can't pull up the gladiator at all on their page. The vehicle selector doesn't even show it or give me the option to pick it. I'll try Chrome & see if it'll show up there. Thanks for the help. I'll keep trying.

 

[uplandgunner]

Wierd, I can't pull up the gladiator at all on their page. The vehicle selector doesn't even show it or give me the option to pick it. I'll try Chrome & see if it'll show up there. Thanks for the help. I'll keep trying.

Go to the home page and it should be right there. The box is shop by vehicle

https://www.northridge4x4.com/

 

[smlobx]

I've got a Sport S with 3.73 gearing. Right now I have 33" KO2's and besides a front bumper & winch, that's pretty much all the mods I've done so far. I'd like to do more offroading, nothing major, more overlanding really but I'd like to be able to go on some of the more mild trails & passes in Colorado & other places. I figure right now I'm sitting maybe 1/2" lower or equal to a stock Rubicon. I'm not into rock climbing but a good lot of the trails to be on will have rocks, some larger than others. I also want to be able to drive it home after the trails/passes as it is a daily driver.
I don't really want to do a lift, 2" Mopar is what I've considered, since I like the way it looks now & I'm afraid with a lift I'd want to go to 35"s which I feel would really create a need to regear. 1k on tires already, not really wanting to do another 1k plus regear. There's also the possibility of a front leveling kit.
There's also the idea of the Rock Hard belly skid plates instead of the lift. My thoughts are without a lift a skid plate would almost be a necessity. I can probably fabricate a front skid plate if needed.
Which of these would be the better option? Or do I really need either one? If I could get by easily with what I've got, it's leave money for the more fun mods, like a sunrider top & maybe the Insane Audio Nav system. The list is endless....
I may be overthinking this or underestimating the capabilities of the Gladiator, it's the first Jeep I've owned so I figured I'd ask the people who have way more knowledge on these things than I do. ThankS.

You’ll be surprised what your Gladiator can do in stock form. As a matter of fact even a stock F-350 with only minor mods can be very capable on some of Colorado’s trails.
Here’s some pictures of my F-350 CC LWB with our Hallmark camper at the top of Hurricane Pass the day after they opened it up last year.
The only thing I did was to ad a mild lift on the front and remove the stupid front air dam...slow and steady is the key.

 

[Renegade]

Given the 2 choices in the title, lift. It already has minimally sufficient skid plates.

 

[canyonrat]

You are right, the 33's on a 2" Mopar lift are going to look a little small. For "mild trails and passes" you are probably fine the way you are, taking into account the other advice already given in this thread. You could consider a 1.5" or less level kit for front for a little help, something like this:
https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/0-2in-lifts/kj09176kv-daystar-1-5in-leveling-kit

 

[Oilburner]

If it were me, I would be adding:
Level kit
Front swaybar disconnects
Skid plates
Rear overhang protection (Something like on the Rubicon)

When learning, the skid plates will quickly pay off for most people- especially if you don't have lockers.

 

[vagabond]

Go to the home page and it should be right there. The box is shop by vehicle

https://www.northridge4x4.com/

Got it. Thanks. I was going to Rubicon Express website. Thanks for the patience & help

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