At what point are additional skids needed?

[usnavycdr]

I did Hot Springs in a 16 Cherokee Trailhawk with 2.5" lift on 31.5" tires. Snake Trail rubbed the rock rails a tiny bit but with Willys' 32s and overall greater ground clearance you should be ok.
The toughest trail (I forgot the name but it's badged) was much harder and we didn't get past 1/4.

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[RodRecket]

while I'm not familiar with the terrain down there, I would say start with the lowest points that hit. Its real rocky where I wheel so I figured it was best to protect what can bend easy or get hung up. Once the damage is done, it's done and can be tough to straighten back out. There is plenty more to protect, but this is a start:
Rustys frame side CA skids $90
Rockhard 4x4 F&R CA & Shock skids $175
Ranco F & R Diff Sliders $160/ea

Well I went down a pretty lengthy rabbit hole looking at different skids, reading different forums, going out to the garage to check out where I've scuffed up my truck so far, and I pretty much came back to this list. Though, I decided to get just the front diff slider instead of F & R for now.

Still spent close to $500 I wasn't planning on today

 

[chithead]

Still spent close to $500 I wasn't planning on today

That's exactly what happens every time I log on here too!!!

 

[Blue Ridge]

So looking at the complete package, there's one for $1850 and one for $1550. First two listed here. I'm trying to tell the difference and it looks like they even used the same photo for both. I may calm down and just get the ones listed earlier, especially since my oil change place would hate me.

 

[Blue Ridge]

I'm ordering one of each, but wanted to be sure I'm getting the correct one for a Gladiator. The Ranco one says for '97 to 2006 TJ. Is that a fit?

Ranco F & R Diff Sliders $160/ea

 

[MPMB]

At what point are additional skids needed?

About 3-5 seconds after you realize they were needed.

 

[j.o.y.ride]

Here is my opinion. And I convinced my wife with it as we watched some offroading videos.

If the cost of the repair is like 2x+ the cost of the armor, get the armor.

Why I got the GenRight sliders and the Motobilt Crusher rear bumper. The GenRights, nothing is better. The big very beloved off road shop here agrees on the GenRight sliders, nothing out there is better. And the Crusher has integrated bed protection. It isn't worth saving $500-$1000 on another product that could result in $5,000 of body damage.

 

[AZCooWhip]

Let me offer some very cheap advice ..... GO SLOW over obstacles. I see videos of people thinking they are on the race track. I have witnesses quite a few “similar” descents where there was some rubbing. One was coming away with a mark or two. Others have been where bumper was shoved out of alignment.

Secondly ...when you rub the first time, and you will, remember the cringe you make. It gets a bit easier as you get more miles under your belt.

S. L. O. W.

 

[j.o.y.ride]

Let me offer some very cheap advice ..... GO SLOW over obstacles. I see videos of people thinking they are on the race track. I have witnesses quite a few “similar” descents where there was some rubbing. One was coming away with a mark or two. Others have been where bumper was shoved out of alignment.

Secondly ...when you rub the first time, and you will, remember the cringe you make. It gets a bit easier as you get more miles under your belt.

S. L. O. W.

Yessir. But slow doesn't make that pointy rock go away.

 

[AZCooWhip]

Yessir. But slow doesn't make that pointy rock go away.

Nothing more true .... I was assuming most would avoid those. Hard core wheelers ...different story.

 

[Axeman]

I'm ordering one of each, but wanted to be sure I'm getting the correct one for a Gladiator. The Ranco one says for '97 to 2006 TJ. Is that a fit?

I got the RS62116 front, and RS62117 rear. They fit as they should. Rancho has one listed for the gladiator as RS62138 but I don't know anyone thats tried that one yet.
Rancho Rock Gear

 

[mx5red]

So looking at the complete package, there's one for $1850 and one for $1550. First two listed here. I'm trying to tell the difference and it looks like they even used the same photo for both. I may calm down and just get the ones listed earlier, especially since my oil change place would hate me.

more expensive one is aluminum. I believe weight savings is 180# vs 260#, so 80# less for aluminum. They still put beefy steel crossmember under the aluminum ones.
Personally what I would go with, though I haven't been able to convince myself I need these vs just an oil pan skid to protect the (oil pan) transmission coolant lines and crossover exhaust pipe...

 

[Blue Ridge]

Thank you both!

I got the RS62116 front, and RS62117 rear. They fit as they should. Rancho has one listed for the gladiator as RS62138 but I don't know anyone thats tried that one yet.
Rancho Rock Gear

I notice they mention this is for a Rubicon under "notes." I bought a Willys, and am guessing the differential casting would be the same?

 

[brianinca]

Wait all this Rancho diff skid stuff, the Metal Cloak options are excellent and barely more expensive (I couldn't believe it either).

https://metalcloak.com/jl-wrangler-jt-gladiator-front-differential-cover-skid-plate-kit.html
https://metalcloak.com/jt-gladiator-m220-rear-differential-skid-plate.html

 

[Blue Ridge]

Wait all this Rancho diff skid stuff, the Metal Cloak options are excellent and barely more expensive (I couldn't believe it either).

https://metalcloak.com/jl-wrangler-jt-gladiator-front-differential-cover-skid-plate-kit.html
https://metalcloak.com/jt-gladiator-m220-rear-differential-skid-plate.html

The rear diff mentions that these are "made specifically for lifted JT trucks." Any issues putting them on a stock one?

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