Ha! I had the same experience at Rausch this last weekend and my Rusty’s armor for the LCAs just arrived today. I feel ya.
Has anyone used the Rock Hard front and rear lower control arm skid plates? I have a set on back order from Extreme Terrain that I just need by early October.
I had off-road Wherehouse install the full set, including frame mounted skid plates. They said everything fit good. Rock hard off-road is a good companyHas anyone used the Rock Hard front and rear lower control arm skid plates? I have a set on back order from Extreme Terrain that I just need by early October.
The amount of Jeep aftermarket parts that have to be altered to fit is mind blowing. I think the fact that so many of us "make it work" is why these companies don't fix the problems. But any of us planning on off-roading need them and are going to be inclined to make them work, I reckon.
The Rock Hard kit includes Rear Lower Control Arm skid plates, but the Rusty's Rear Lower Control Arm skid plates cover the opposite end? Should I skip the Rock Hard kit and just get the Rusty's Rear LCA skid plates? It didn't sound like you were getting too much use out of your kit aside from in the front. I see they make the Rock Hard kit with just the front LCA skid plates. Maybe I would be ok with just that and the Rusty's.
The Rusty’s frame-side skids are the most critical on the JT. There is no debate. Maybe someone else will build some that are better?
Keep away from the DV8 front differential skid plate. Absolute garbage design. It clunks and makes contact just going over minor seams on paved roads. I called DV8 and they just told me to put rubber over the areas that make contact?!? I cannot imagine the damage this would do if you actually took it off road. Extreme Terrain was great about returning it though and we talked about other options.
Unfortunately, Extreme Terrain said that the Rancho differential skid plates are only designed for the Rubicon. So it looks like there are no differential skid plate options for the other JT models at the moment. (I have an 80th anniversary.)
I think I might get the Rock Hard Front & Rear LCA skid plates for a trip with Jeep Adventure Academy to the Badlands in Indiana in October.
Do you have contact info for Matt? Surprise surprise my u-bolt is too short for the Rancho front diff glide plate. Thanks!Ain't that the truth! I got the front diff skid from Rancho and the U bolt was too short, and then my skid from Rustys was so off-center I couldn't get the side bolt through. Matt from Rancho mailed another U bolt out, which I should have time to try tomorrow. But my guess is they keep making them this way because Jeep folks are inclined to modify if needed and make them work. Maddening.
Short U bolt:
Off center hole:
I'm trying my Rancho again tomorrow (got the rear diff set too) but supposedly they fit all Gladiators (out side of the part where they send too short of U bolts, etc.). I'll update whether I can make them go or not. I'm going to be irked if they won't.
I don't have personal experience with them on MY jeep yet, but they are a local company in the town I live in, so I'm going to support them for sure. They make these right in Pennsylvania. I saw their skid plates mounted on a JT at the Carlisle Pa jeep show a few weeks back, and they looked great, and they are THICK. The guy I talked with was a machinist and he wheels hard. He was awesome to talk to, and seeing the parts on the JT at the show gave me some confidence to go with them. I should have bought the oil pan and exhaust skid plates right there, but I'll get them on soon. They are very heavy, but that's a good thing when it comes to stuff like this.
