skid plate worth it?

[ShadowsPapa]

I didn't see a thread here already........ I have the stock Overland. I was looking at/under/around about 20 different JTs at the dealer today while waiting to drop mine off for final stuff to be done.
I noticed at least two different skid plate types on the various trucks there - of course the one for the Rubicon with steel bumper where the skid plate actually attached to the bottom of the bumper as well as the frame area but I also saw a steel skid plate on one with the stock non-steel bumper, there was some space between skid plate and bumper bottom and the front of the skid plate was slightly rounded.
I suspect there are also non-MOPAR versions as well - but I was wondering about the "value" or "worth" of having one vs. the plastic shield down there. I've ripped those off of cars before by hitting hard snow and ice. Hit some RR tracks that had heavy ice build up and the ice popped up and snapped the whole front plastic off of one vehicle. They are good for keeping air out but not really protecting things that much. Of course then there's adding WEIGHT to a truck that's already low in towing and payload ratings.........
Thoughts?
Then I thought - ok, putting the front receiver on may nix the idea anyway since even that plastic bit has to be cut to clear the front receiver.

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[RH 67]

If you do not have a Rubicon then there is not much need for a front bumper skid, they are there to protect the quick disconnect motor which even they can be turned to eliminate the need for a skid.

 

[Ryan...]

Skid plates are something I'm mulling over for my future Gladiator purchase. I'll be in the market for a Sport, which to my understanding comes with no skid plates whatsoever.

Disappointing, considering you can get a brand new Ranger FX4 for about $28k now with full factory skid plates and locking rear diff.

 

[Renegade]

Skid plates are something I'm mulling over for my future Gladiator purchase. I'll be in the market for a Sport, which to my understanding comes with no skid plates whatsoever.

Disappointing, considering you can get a brand new Ranger FX4 for about $28k now with full factory skid plates and locking rear diff.

I’m pretty sure that all JTs get the transfer case skid, and all automatics get the transmission skid. Not having a front skid allows for a better approach angle, especially when climbing ledges and rocks. My Rubicon is the first Jeep I’ve ever used one on, because of the sway bar motor.

 

[Ryan...]

I’m pretty sure that all JTs get the transfer case skid, and all automatics get the transmission skid. Not having a front skid allows for a better approach angle, especially when climbing ledges and rocks. My Rubicon is the first Jeep I’ve ever used one on, because of the sway bar motor.

I hope that is correct, I've seen a couple different posts indicating their non-Rubicon JTs had no skid plates whatsoever. I forgot to look under the one I test drove earlier this month. It's probably not even something I'd need given how tame the trails are around here in Wisconsin (almost non-existent), but skid plates are something I'd rather have and not need, than need and not have...

 

[Mr._Bill]

The plastic cover is an air dam to help with efficiency. There is a metal plate behind it, but it is just to keep it stiff and not a skid plate. The receiver replaces the metal plate, and includes brackets to reattach the plastic air dam. The air dam just needs a hole cut in it for the receiver to poke through.

The Overland has a few skid plates along the bottom to protect major components.

 

[hjdca]

Fyi, the Rubicon can come with 2 skid plates - both steel, both to protect the sway bar disconnect motor. The skid plate with the plastic bumper does not tie into the bumper, it is separate with 2 additional brackets. The skid plate for the steel bumper ties into the steel bumper with 5 bolts , not using the additional brackets, and ties to the frame with 2 bolts making a very solid front end that the jeep can stand on. The steel bumper also has a different plastic filler panel than the plastic bumper. Skid plates are good !

 

[ShadowsPapa]

The sway bar disconnect sits up pretty high, almost behind the bumper itself. I'm thinking more to keep the crap out of the steering, protect the steering and the steering stabilizer or dampener. Heck, my SX4 has a front skid plate you can lift the car with.
I'm wanting something up there and am surprised it doesn't have one, to protect the steering components, etc. I've looked under a few of them and there's stuff down there that if I hit ice like I did with a car we had, or hit a deer (deer going under can really screw up some pretty solid parts at 70 mph). I've seen undersides really messed up by road debris here - chunks of construction debris off trucks, chunks of semi tires ripping sway bars loose, bent tie rods, bent steering dampeners, you name it.
If the skid plate was there "only to protect the disconnect" it would be 1/3 the size it is. Sorry, it's more than just that. They can call it what they want but if it's for that little disconnect, then put one on that's a fraction that size - that disconnect sits up there pretty high unless you get into serious rocks and it's only a few inches wide, doesn't need a full width plate.
If it impacts the approach angle - then so will that plastic and it would get busted all to heck as it hangs like some of the skid plates I saw under the JT. The skid plate really sits no differently than that plastic air baffle.
Maybe I'll end up making one or adapting an Eagle skid plate - or finding an after-market one as the more I look at what hangs down below that bumper, the more is at risk.

I've seen these with pretty impressive gouges in them and they are heavy steel plate. Odd that a Jeep wouldn't have such a thing protecting those steering parts among other things.

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