Quadratec aluminum engine bay skid plate installed

[Geoarch]

Today I installed Quadratec's powder coated aluminum engine/transmission skid plate. It is an extremely well engineered skid plate that's easy to install and uses existing attachment points (see images). Included hardware is high quality. On Quadratec's web site they state in response to a query about using the OEM transfer case plate: "that [you] may notice a little less ground clearance, and engineers have designed it to be used without." This is not completely true. While it is true that you have to install the OEM plate over the Quadratec's plate, their plate is just 1/4" thick (see image). You do have to trim one of the OEM brackets, but that's all. Their transfer case skid plate costs $300.

This is an excellent skid plate to protect the crankcase and transmission (MT or AT). It, however, won't fit diesels according to their website.

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[Free2roam]

Wait wait I'm baffled! You actually received something from them?

 

[NachoRuby]

Wait wait I'm baffled! You actually received something from them?

Shipping-wise, they've been good to me. They haven't messed up any of my orders. It helps that they're in my state, though. On the customer service side, they've been pretty non responsive. But I'll keep ordering for now, as long as I have buyer protection haha.

 

[bd100]

This is an excellent skid plate to protect the crankcase and transmission (MT or AT).

And the exhaust crossover. This particular plate has that improved cross member as well. The only problem I have with it is that you then lose the exhaust loop skid plate, but the new cross beam may help shield the loop some.

 

[Geoarch]

Wait wait I'm baffled! You actually received something from them?

Yeah, and in less than a week!

 

[Geoarch]

And the exhaust crossover. This particular plate has that improved cross member as well. The only problem I have with it is that you then lose the exhaust loop skid plate, but the new cross beam may help shield the loop some.

It covers the crossover if I understand what you’re saying and I kept the transfer case plate.

Someone else on here installed the entire modular system and didn’t keep the OEM trans case plate.

 

[chorky]

Wait wait I'm baffled! You actually received something from them?

Same as OP, I ordered the engine and trans skid from them. Haven't put them on yet. But they arrived in about a week after purchase. But I think I ordered right as they got some fresh parts in stock. I've always had great response and service from them.

 

[RussellJT]

Ordered Quadratec’s aluminum engine bay, transfer and fuel tank skids. Installed all but the fuel tank skid (more on that in a second). The install was easy and pretty quick. I took a trip with the kids to AOAA last weekend and beat up on them a bit; they handled it well.

As to the fuel tank skid, … and I clearly screwed this up, I ordered the wrong one and was shipped the skid for the Wrangler. It doesn’t fit the Gladiator. I’m now past the return deadline (delayed install because of work and other reasons), and return shipping is more than I am willing to pay for an exchange. I’m also not able to take a day off work to drive it up for an in-person exchange. Now I need to offload it … if anyone‘s interested (Central MD/HOCO). Opened, never used.

 

[Tommyd]

Ordered Quadratec’s aluminum engine bay, transfer and fuel tank skids. Installed all but the fuel tank skid (more on that in a second). The install was easy and pretty quick. I took a trip with the kids to AOAA last weekend and beat up on them a bit; they handled it well.

As to the fuel tank skid, … and I clearly screwed this up, I ordered the wrong one and was shipped the skiD for the Wrangler. It doesn’t fit the Gladiator. I’m now past the return deadline (delayed install because of work and other reasons), and return shipping is more than I am willing to pay for an exchange. I’m also not able to take a day off work to drive it up for an in-person exchange. Now I need to offload it … if anyone‘s interested (Central MD/HOCO). Opened, never used.

Maybe post on wrangler jl forum

 

[RussellJT]

Maybe post on wrangler jl forum

My plan for today. ;-) I was just sharing that I liked the skid plates and expanded on the story a bit for a little self-deprecating humor.

 

[MrClortho]

I also installed the same skid last week and am happy with the fitment and quality. I got it in less than a week. I had the same basic skid on my JKU and it worked quite well.

Last weekend, I also installed the Quadratech steel/aluminum sliders and they went on easily as well. They seem to be pretty stout and half the price of many others out there, however, they do not bolt into the frame like I would have expected and wanted like the ACE ones on my JKU.

 

[KQL]

I just installed my engine skid. Received wrong pitch M12 bolts, so had to track down the correct M12x1.5 40mm. NAPA had them, no luck at oreilly or Ace hardware.

I’m kinda bummed at the ground clearance cost of this skid. I have manual transmission, so didn’t have the stock brace that automatics come with (was the reason I went with QT as theirs is compatible with a manual). Looks like I lost 2 inches of clearance in the middle. Everything above the skid has plenty of room, seems like they could have tucked it up a bit more without hitting anything. Just FYI for others looking at this system.

 

[Geoarch]

I just installed my engine skid. Received wrong pitch M12 bolts, so had to track down the correct M12x1.5 40mm. NAPA had them, no luck at oreilly or Ace hardware.

I’m kinda bummed at the ground clearance cost of this skid. I have manual transmission, so didn’t have the stock brace that automatics come with (was the reason I went with QT as theirs is compatible with a manual). Looks like I lost 2 inches of clearance in the middle. Everything above the skid has plenty of room, seems like they could have tucked it up a bit more without hitting anything. Just FYI for others looking at this system.

I agree completely. It will mainly be felt in breakover angle. We'll see. I have some 3-4' steps and waterfalls about 1/2 hour away I'll take my JTR to and see. I run that trail to test out new mods periodically and know it by heart, so it would be a good test. More on that when I finally get out there. Having said that, I do feel more comfortable that the oil pan and trans are safer now. I re-mounted the transfer case OEM pan. We'll see over time if the couple inches is a hindrance.

 

[bd100]

It has to go that low in order to clear the low-hanging exhaust crossover pipe. Which, with the manual transmission at least, could have been at least an inch higher.

 

[Geoarch]

It has to go that low in order to clear the low-hanging exhaust crossover pipe. Which, with the manual transmission at least, could have been at least an inch higher.

I think that's an adequate compromise to protect that part of the exhaust system.

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