Motobilt Diesel Skid

[Chief_jeep]

I reached out to Motobilt a few months ago inquiring about a full belly skid for the diesel. They weren’t making one at the time but said they’d have one soon. Anyways, I got a call this morning from Motobilt and their diesel skid is available. I’ve had nothing but good experiences with their products and customer service so I thought id share since it’s a great price. It’s only $1750 with free shipping!

https://motobilt.com/collections/newest-products/products/skid-system-for-diesel-jeep-jt-gladiator

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[aFatBird]

Man, now I need to decide on this or the metalcloak ones.

 

[Chief_jeep]

Are the metalcloak ones made out of steel or aluminum? That is the one down side to the motobilt skid is that it is steel. I guess if you beat the shit out of the skid then you'd want steel but most people won't and it's a lot of extra weight. Then again it's half the price of most aluminum skids.

 

[rharr]

the extra weight isn't so bad, it's down low effectively giving you a lower center of gravity.

 

[Cascade253]

Looks similar to the metalcloak, but you'll have to paint it to prevent rust

 

[RockJeep98]

Looks similar to the metalcloak, but you'll have to paint it to prevent rust

No bolts protruding on the Motobilt kit. Also you’re going to have to paint any steel skid once you use it as it’s going to get slid across rocks and other obstacles.
Just my opinion

 

[RubiNewbCB]

I wonder what effect this will have on the Diesel's Cooling issues? Will it trap excess heat?

 

[Chief_jeep]

No bolts protruding on the Motobilt kit. Also you’re going to have to paint any steel skid once you use it as it’s going to get slid across rocks and other obstacles.
Just my opinion

The bolts are a big deal if you actually use the bellypan. You could easily paint it with Rustoleum or something similar and touch it up as needed.

I wonder what effect this will have on the Diesel's Cooling issues? Will it trap excess heat?

From my experience, none.

 

[Cascade253]

No bolts protruding on the Motobilt kit. Also you’re going to have to paint any steel skid once you use it as it’s going to get slid across rocks and other obstacles.
Just my opinion

Have you looked at the metalcloak skid? It's all flush mount hardware.

 

[Chief_jeep]

Have you looked at the metalcloak skid? It's all flush mount hardware.

I haven't. I just saw @RockJeep98 comment. I went ahead and got an Artec skid a few months back so I stopped looking at different options

 

[RockJeep98]

Have you looked at the metalcloak skid? It's all flush mount hardware.

Those are not flush ie. they have a bit of a ramp built in but definitely not flush. Anything that sticks out past the surface of the skid.

 

[djthumper]

Are the metalcloak ones made out of steel or aluminum? That is the one down side to the motobilt skid is that it is steel. I guess if you beat the shit out of the skid then you'd want steel but most people won't and it's a lot of extra weight. Then again it's half the price of most aluminum skids.

MetalCloak is made of steel, 11 pounds lighter, and coated.

 

[DavoSmith]

I too am trying to decide between the Diesel JT Motobilt and Metalcloak full belly skids.

If anyone has any real world experience with either brand please post. If you know of anyone that is using either set up, please encourage them to post their opinions. Extra kudos for photos.

I would love to see some photos of the Metalcloak raised ramp washer like fasteners and their gold coating after some hard use.

In my experience using full steel skids in Western MT (salty roads, rocky trails, below average off-roader that always seem to take a ridiculous line) I need to drop the skids, sand and touchup paint each year. I can't imagine that Metalcloak's gold coating will hold up any better then paint, at least at the scratch/scrape marks. I'm guessing the non scratched portions would remain rust free a little better. Trying to remove scratched, gouged and deformed fasteners is a real pain.

 

[Chief_jeep]

I too am trying to decide between the Diesel JT Motobilt and Metalcloak full belly skids.

If anyone has any real world experience with either brand please post. If you know of anyone that is using either set up, please encourage them to post their opinions. Extra kudos for photos.

I would love to see some photos of the Metalcloak raised ramp washer like fasteners and their gold coating after some hard use.

In my experience using full steel skids in Western MT (salty roads, rocky trails, below average off-roader that always seem to take a ridiculous line) I need to drop the skids, sand and touchup paint each year. I can't imagine that Metalcloak's gold coating will hold up any better then paint, at least at the scratch/scrape marks. I'm guessing the non scratched portions would remain rust free a little better. Trying to remove scratched, gouged and deformed fasteners is a real pain.

That sounds like a fairly annoying process each year. Have you considered the Artec or Next venture aluminum skid? They are both more expensive but they wouldn't require you to have maintenance form rust.

 

[RockJeep98]

I too am trying to decide between the Diesel JT Motobilt and Metalcloak full belly skids.

If anyone has any real world experience with either brand please post. If you know of anyone that is using either set up, please encourage them to post their opinions. Extra kudos for photos.

I would love to see some photos of the Metalcloak raised ramp washer like fasteners and their gold coating after some hard use.

In my experience using full steel skids in Western MT (salty roads, rocky trails, below average off-roader that always seem to take a ridiculous line) I need to drop the skids, sand and touchup paint each year. I can't imagine that Metalcloak's gold coating will hold up any better then paint, at least at the scratch/scrape marks. I'm guessing the non scratched portions would remain rust free a little better. Trying to remove scratched, gouged and deformed fasteners is a real pain.

You do not have to drop the skid plate to touch up. Simply clean and scuff the area and paint from under neath. Maybe 10-20 minutes worth of work. I use Steel-It on my skids rockers, fenders etc and they look brand new again after wards.

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