Oh, you're talking about the front skid plate. I thought you were taking about the thing that goes between the bumper and the fender flare on some of the sport models.
On some models, like my Overland, there is a large air dam mounted just under the bumper in the area where the skid plate is located on the Rubicon and Mojave.
The air dam or the skid plate?
hmmm, I just dealt with dropping gas mileage in my JK. I lost 2 mpg. Got me curious so I took out my non contact infrared thermometer and checked the brakes. Sure enough, one caliper was sticking and dragging. Replaced the caliper and mileage is back at 17 mpg.
The air dam is just for aerodynamics. It covers things up fairly well, but has no real protective value.
Considering I can average 12mpg while towing a 5,700lb boat? Yeah, that doesn't sound right.
Not on Mojaves and Rubicons. That's a bonified, big heavy steel skid plate. The air dam on an overland must be different. The Rubicon one is there to protect the sway bar disconnect motor (and front end). The Mojave one is there to protect the shocks. Without that skid plate, the sway bar disconnect motor is naked and in the open. They are very much functional on both. It's a real skid plate.
Right, but the post I quoted didn't state what they were talking about.
I stopped looking. Made me depressed. Now I'm happy but broke!
I just assumed they were talking about the air dam, since they mentioned aerodynamics. Both the air dams and skid plates get removed on many aftermarket bumper installs.
Yep. Skid plate fit perfectly.
Regardless, air dam or not, it wont make a 6-7 mpg difference.
