Well the Rubicon comes with some pretty substantial skids but not near enough really. It will get you through a few bumps and scrapes and probably get you home but it will not hold up to too much beating.
I wheeled one day with a group and banged her a good few times. The upside ? The factory...
That's two questions there . I'm on the fence with the factory cover. It's nice and serves a good purpose but with a bed rack it's a pain. I even lifted my bedrack to make access easier but in the end it's nuisance when you really want access. But still I like the cover it hides shit to the...
Just like the Gladiator, I suspect it will leave you lacking as to what you would like and expect. Car manufacturers pretty much have their hands tied as to what they can put on the market. The glory years are gone unless you live where you can buy a series 70 Toyota yet.
I cut down 10 Junipers that were 7" to 12" at their base and hauled them out to the back forty and pushed them in with the tractor for the wildlife to use. cut them down because we are redoing the landscape around the abode.
Added a 1.5" leveling kit to balance out the factory rake + the added weight of a steel bumper and winch. Still have the Rock Hard full aluminum belly skid coming. We"ll have see how it sits after that install.
You should have gotten the Rock Hard control arm and shock mount skids, at half the cost and well designed. I had the rancho ones on my 16 JKUHR but the hard Rock are just as strong and half the cost. I did put the rancho front and rear diff skids on my truck. Some will say getting good...
Polarizing? Maybe. I get questioned now and then about my JTR. Mostly those who ask a question like it. I got the JTR for two reasons, 1 it doesn't look like any other truck period! But more so I bought it for what it is and can do. Nobody makes anything comparable in capability in the US...
Cheaper than the alternative repairs if left unprotected.
I also ordered rancho front and rear diff sliders and some coil spacers to make up for the added weight of the steel bumper , winch, full belly pan and the factory rake. Spacers and front slider are here already but the rear is back...
I have these items coming. Rockhard aluminum full belly skid and RH front and rear LCA skids
https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/skid-plates/rh-80548-rock-hard-4x4-complete-bellypan-skid-plate-system-w-dual-crossmembers-aluminum...
Bought 6/1/2019 20,000+ miles and zero hiccups. I traded in a "16" JKURHR with an unsurmountable electrical problem ( 200+ days in the shop) I'm due for a smooth run:)