Quadratech, aluminum skid plates, are they good enough for LIGHT duty off roading?

[mr. cob]

Howdy All,

I need something to protect the drive train of my JT but I do NOT plan to abuse this Jeep. Forest service roads, and easy off road is all I plan to do with this Jeep. I have spent days researching skid plates, looked at all the major brands, watched the videos, read threads on this forum and am suffering from information over load.

Bottom line I honestly don't think I need the full belly pan type skid plate, Steel is cheaper but it also weighs more, I am liking the modular design of the Quadratech, and think that their engine-transmission skid plate,

https://www.quadratec.com/p/quadrat...kid-plate-gladiator-jt-3.6l-engine-12500.0203

coupled with their transfer case skid plate would serve me well.

https://www.quadratec.com/p/quadrat...skid-plate-wrangler-jl-unlimited-gladiator-jt

I honestly don't think I am going to need the gas tank skid plate which is another 500 bucks.

However this comes to $700.00 and doesn't offer the protection that can be had for double the price add in shipping for the full belly pan and it's a total of close to $3000.00

So being the CHEAP bastard that "I" am, and not planing to abuse the machine, opinions both in favor or and against what I am contemplating are most welcome. Thanks for any advise and personal experience you may have with these products will be most appreciated.

Dave

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[JeepOfTheseus]

Honestly, if you’re not going to abuse it - you don’t really need the added weight of any skids at all. I took mine to Mengal Pass and only got minor scuffs.

Reason I’m saying this is: if you do want something…shop around. When Quadratec lists something out of stock, it could be months - and they won’t respond to you. You’re gonna have a frustrating time ordering from them.

 

[PJZ]

Check these out. Have the oil / transfer case skids. Decided not to get the gas tank one. Lots of JTs on here with them and a lot of wranglers. Price is right, good quality, and light weight. Some pics on my build thread.
https://www.asfir.com/manufacturer/...facturer=12200&car_model=12533&car_year=12534

 

[mr. cob]

Honestly, if you’re not going to abuse it - you don’t really need the added weight of any skids at all. I took mine to Mengal Pass and only got minor scuffs.

Reason I’m saying this is: if you do want something…shop around. When Quadratec lists something out of stock, it could be months - and they won’t respond to you. You’re gonna have a frustrating time ordering from them.

Howdy ryanlsmith,

Thanks for your reply. I have done enough off roading in the past 60 years of beating the HELL out of Jeeps to know that even on logging roads it's only a matter of time before a rock, rut or tree branch will slam a hole in the very exposed transmission oil pan or tear those low hanging and again very exposed transmission lines off. So I need something just not the full meal deal.

On a side note, to the best of my knowledge myself and my long time riding Partner Don, are the only people to date that have successfully riden our Ural two wheel drive sidecar motorcycles over Mengal Pass in both directions more then once. We have riden over nearly every road in the Death Valley area, sure shocked a lot of people when we showed up at some of the places we have been.

Dave

 

[Blade1668]

Check these out. Have the oil / transfer case skids. Decided not to get the gas tank one. Lots of JTs on here with them and a lot of wranglers. Price is right, good quality, and light weight. Some pics on my build thread.
https://www.asfir.com/manufacturer/...facturer=12200&car_model=12533&car_year=12534

How has it been doing since you got and have been using awhile? I know I'm going to need to protect transmission lines at least.

Dave:
thanks for starting this one I've been sidetracked for awhile and forgot about this.

 

[Orange01z28]

I'd love to get these

I ordered the engine plate on Christmas and still haven't received it yet

 

[@californiajeeping]

How has it been doing since you got and have been using awhile? I know I'm going to need to protect transmission lines at least.

Dave:
thanks for starting this one I've been sidetracked for awhile and forgot about this.

I also have been looking at these.

 

[PJZ]

How has it been doing since you got and have been using awhile? I know I'm going to need to protect transmission lines at least.

Dave:
thanks for starting this one I've been sidetracked for awhile and forgot about this.

Hey,
They arrived before my JT did, but just got them on a couple weeks ago. No test yet but soon. Should deflect those branches and pointy rocks with no problem. They are thick aluminum.

The oil pan one is a pain in the a$$ to install. Not the plate itself but removing the motor mount bolt to replace with a longer one was very difficult. No space for wrenching and those bolts will never come loose on their own, very tight.

 

[PJZ]

There is an additional discount here in the forum as well. Another 5% I think.

 

[brianinca]

I've cleaned my Asfir with snow, trying to get over a berm of snow/rock/mud the plows left at the end of a dirt road that leads to Highway 180. My wife got REAL tired of trying different lines, so I turned around, but the Al held up just fine. Super pleased with the weight/protection ratio.

How has it been doing since you got and have been using awhile? I know I'm going to need to protect transmission lines at least.

Dave:
thanks for starting this one I've been sidetracked for awhile and forgot about this.

 

[brianinca]

Wait, the oil/transmission plate? I don't recollect having any trouble at all with that, I was pleased how easy it was. Stacking the little plates for the transfer case was fussy, though.

Hey,
They arrived before my JT did, but just got them on a couple weeks ago. No test yet but soon. Should deflect those branches and pointy rocks with no problem. They are thick aluminum.

The oil pan one is a pain in the a$$ to install. Not the plate itself but removing the motor mount bolt to replace with a longer one was very difficult. No space for wrenching and those bolts will never come loose on their own, very tight.

 

[bd100]

The Quadratech skids supposedly come from Russia, so supply may be quite limited for a while. They add a strong crossmember in front of the exhaust crossover, so they may be able to handle more abuse without bending than skids without that extra brace.

For those with manual transmission, it would almost make sense to offer a short skid with the crossmember to protect the exhaust crossover, but without the extra length and install complexity of going up to the engine mounts.

One problem with the Quadratech skid is that it doesn't protect the exhaust loop, although the new crossmember might help protect it some.

The Asfir seems to be for automatic transmissions only.

 

[Tommyd]

Honestly, if you’re not going to abuse it - you don’t really need the added weight of any skids at all. I took mine to Mengal Pass and only got minor scuffs.

Reason I’m saying this is: if you do want something…shop around. When Quadratec lists something out of stock, it could be months - and they won’t respond to you. You’re gonna have a frustrating time ordering from them.

Second that!!

 

[PJZ]

Wait, the oil/transmission plate? I don't recollect having any trouble at all with that, I was pleased how easy it was. Stacking the little plates for the transfer case was fussy, though.

Yes, that one was difficult to remove the stock bolts on an eco diesel. Easy to install the plate for sure.

 

[brianinca]

Ooooooohhhhhhh, yeah, no, gasser here!

Yes, that one was difficult to remove the stock bolts on an eco diesel. Easy to install the plate for sure.

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