Do skid plates increase fluid operating temperatures?

[mr. cob]

Howdy All,

I have a 2021 Gladiator Rubicon, with the 3.6 gas engine and auto transmission. I was not aware until AFTER I had installed the "More" steel engine / transmission / transfer-case skid plates that it was possible to view temperature gauges for the engine oil, transmission and coolant. I have the smaller screen so all the gauges can't be displayed at the same time. Because I didn't know about these display BEFORE I installed the skid plates I don't have any stock reference fluid temperatures to compare what is now being displayed on these gauges.

What I am getting now at normal highway speeds with no load in the truck is this, engine coolant 210/215* oil 215/220* transmission 195/205*

When I tow a small tandem axle trailer with my SxS in it, total weight around 4,500/5,000 pounds, I get these reading, engine coolant 220/230* oil 220/235* transmission 210/230*

These numbers seem high to me but I don't know what the temps were BEFORE I installed the skid plates so don't know if this is a concern or if it's normal for the new engines which I know run hotter then the older engines I am used too.

I now have 21,347,3 miles on the Jeep, so far NO problems, seems to run well and perform well for what it is. I would be interested in what fluid temps others have and what conditions these temps occur and if any skid plates are involved. Thanks for any information you can share.

Dave

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[bd100]

At highway speeds I'm sure there is plenty of airflow such that the skid plates won't matter. At rock crawling speeds then I can see radiated heat being somewhat trapped by the skids.

 

[Jaxmax]

Dave , I noticed no difference in temps when putting on a New Venture Modular skid which is about the same as the More skid just aluminum. My temps pulling a 4000 pound camper is a bit lower but 1,000 pounds will probably do that and unloaded is in the ranges you are….Jack

 

[LouisvEarlleJT]

Just a guy in the internet, but those temps wouldn’t bother me. I’ve had plenty of gas engines see 220 under load and be fine.

 

[ALT2870]

My temps seem to be normal both on and off road with the front skid. Nothing that appears alarming to me granted I have a Max Tow package so maybe that factors a little. I've had normal temps at 12k+.

 

[Mojave20]

I have the same MORE skid and my temps are around what you are getting. I see close to your towing temps on mine during full days of wheeling when ambient temps here in FL are 90+.

 

[Blade1668]

Howdy All,

I have a 2021 Gladiator Rubicon, with the 3.6 gas engine and auto transmission. I was not aware until AFTER I had installed the "More" steel engine / transmission / transfer-case skid plates that it was possible to view temperature gauges for the engine oil, transmission and coolant. I have the smaller screen so all the gauges can't be displayed at the same time. Because I didn't know about these display BEFORE I installed the skid plates I don't have any stock reference fluid temperatures to compare what is now being displayed on these gauges.

What I am getting now at normal highway speeds with no load in the truck is this, engine coolant 210/215* oil 215/220* transmission 195/205*

When I tow a small tandem axle trailer with my SxS in it, total weight around 4,500/5,000 pounds, I get these reading, engine coolant 220/230* oil 220/235* transmission 210/230*

These numbers seem high to me but I don't know what the temps were BEFORE I installed the skid plates so don't know if this is a concern or if it's normal for the new engines which I know run hotter then the older engines I am used too.

I now have 21,347,3 miles on the Jeep, so far NO problems, seems to run well and perform well for what it is. I would be interested in what fluid temps others have and what conditions these temps occur and if any skid plates are involved. Thanks for any information you can share.

Dave

I see around the same temperatures with mine, I've got Asfar aluminum skids. I do think it holds more heat in but should shed off some being aluminum. And wishful thinking of cutting down drag. I thought I might have a few pictures of the temperatures I've seen but I didn't locate any. It's been some concern to me a few times with elevated oil temperature, and coolant but not much on transmission temperature.

 

[mr. cob]

Howdy All,

Thanks for your replies. I am used to towing with a V8 or a diesel both ran cooler then the temps I am seeing with the Jeep. Old school horse power and colder running engines sure makes a difference, this is the first vehicle I have owned that is newer then 2003 and that was a Dodge one ton dually with a Cummins.

Dave

 

[Minty JL]

Yeah the 3.6 with slushbox run warm compared to other platforms.

My fully built Tahoe PPV with a 5.3, 6L80e and 3.73s would run super cool compared to my JTM.

Coolant temp 180* max, trans temps never above 165* even while doing 1-4 gear burnouts.

 

[Sweetums]

I ran a fully plated rig for 15 years in Moab (3/16" steel from radiator to rear axle, full width) I never had issues with heat. Your trans should be cooled up front and the T-case won't make enough heat to worry about.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Howdy All,

I have a 2021 Gladiator Rubicon, with the 3.6 gas engine and auto transmission. I was not aware until AFTER I had installed the "More" steel engine / transmission / transfer-case skid plates that it was possible to view temperature gauges for the engine oil, transmission and coolant. I have the smaller screen so all the gauges can't be displayed at the same time. Because I didn't know about these display BEFORE I installed the skid plates I don't have any stock reference fluid temperatures to compare what is now being displayed on these gauges.

What I am getting now at normal highway speeds with no load in the truck is this, engine coolant 210/215* oil 215/220* transmission 195/205*

When I tow a small tandem axle trailer with my SxS in it, total weight around 4,500/5,000 pounds, I get these reading, engine coolant 220/230* oil 220/235* transmission 210/230*

These numbers seem high to me but I don't know what the temps were BEFORE I installed the skid plates so don't know if this is a concern or if it's normal for the new engines which I know run hotter then the older engines I am used too.

I now have 21,347,3 miles on the Jeep, so far NO problems, seems to run well and perform well for what it is. I would be interested in what fluid temps others have and what conditions these temps occur and if any skid plates are involved. Thanks for any information you can share.

Dave

Totally normal.
Don't get freaked out because these have the ability to show you all that stuff.
I've posted from older TSMs from the 70s and 80s about thermostat testing and so on, - back then a 195 stat didn't fully open until 224 degrees. These are fully open a little cooler than that, but the fan is also controlled as well.

Heat in the engine isn't a bad thing unless it's too much. And you aren't at the too much level.

In short - that's normal, although some still are stuck in the past with other engines, for these, it's fine.

 

[Sandman 4x4]

You should be fine. Just be sure to use a high quality name brand like Mobil 1 full synthetic oil, with changes done at 50%-60% oil life on the monitor, NOT as low as even 40%! Especially when towing! Then change by 60%! That will be around 4,000 miles, no more when towing!

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