Weight vs cost

[HannahWCU]

My first Jeep was a 2005 Rubicon LJ. Living in NC, we run in rocks a lot. I learned from that LJ that armor is your friend. I never worried about weight with the LJ. I added engine and transfer case skids along with sliders and front and rear bumpers. Now with my 2023 Rubicon Gladiator, I want to do the same. It seems most on here are worried about weight and go aluminum. But, aluminum is more costly. I really like Rock Hard 4x4 products, and they do sell most skid and bumpers in both steel and aluminum.

The front and rear bumpers with the full belly skid:

Steel - 482 pounds - $4500 (+shipping)
Aluminum - 245 pounds - $5650 (+shipping)

So aluminum will save me 237 pounds but will cost me at least $1150.

I am not overlanding, and it isn't my daily. But I will be using it for trips and off roading. After the armor I will do a lift, 37's and regearing (probably 5.13's).

$1150(+) doesn't seem worth saving 237 pounds. Thoughts and insights?

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[Gvsukids]

My first Jeep was a 2005 Rubicon LJ. Living in NC, we run in rocks a lot. I learned from that LJ that armor is your friend. I never worried about weight with the LJ. I added engine and transfer case skids along with sliders and front and rear bumpers. Now with my 2023 Rubicon Gladiator, I want to do the same. It seems most on here are worried about weight and go aluminum. But, aluminum is more costly. I really like Rock Hard 4x4 products, and they do sell most skid and bumpers in both steel and aluminum.

The front and rear bumpers with the full belly skid:

Steel - 482 pounds - $4500 (+shipping)
Aluminum - 245 pounds - $5650 (+shipping)

So aluminum will save me 237 pounds but will cost me at least $1150.

I am not overlanding, and it isn't my daily. But I will be using it for trips and off roading. After the armor I will do a lift, 37's and regearing (probably 5.13's).

$1150(+) doesn't seem worth saving 237 pounds. Thoughts and insights?

After that lift and 37's, you won't touch much. It's all about the line. Never understood all of that extra protection when everything underneath is already protected. I have 33's and have to pick my lines a little easier than the guy behind me with 35s or one with 37s and 2 1/2-in lift.

 

[Main Line Willys]

put 482 lbs in your bed and drive around for a week.
Then repeat with 245lbs

See if you can tell a difference.
50lb sand bags or similar should do the trick for you.

 

[cranbiz]

If you are wheeling in rock, go steel. The factory and aftermarket aluminum won't hold up. If you are primarily overlanding on unimproved roads, gravel roads and the occasional rock, I would stay with the factory skids. If you feel you need more than that, buy steel pieces that fill in the voids.

I just can not buy the theory of aluminum skids. They just don't hold up from my experience and the factory skids do a good job unless you are an extreme off road type.

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