I killed a rear cover sliding backwards. Did not look all that bad, but it would not hold fluid.

 

I walked a rock course and picked out my line. Then promptly forgot about a big rock on the other side of a hill 2/3's of the way down. I was just over crawl speed and caught it with the front diff. It put a pretty good dent in it. If I would have been going any faster it might have been bad.

Also my rear diff was pealed back enough to leak thats why I got the Riddlers from Dave. That being said they hae sat in my garage since Christmas but not much wheeling to be had in Michigan in the winter.

 

I would not put diff covers into the "bling" category. I got mine for the higher drain plug, when lifted... to correct pinion angle issue. If you rock crawl armoring up is a great idea. If you have a street machine and no lift then do not bother. In that case just spray paint the factory one pink,green, or red if you want bling.

 

I'm beginning to think this is "pick on Skip day" by you my man. J/K


You all make good points. I think what I'll do is get the oil plate skid from TNT Customs (the Treks skid) and a set of Riddlers. That's about $500 worth of Metal. If I decide I need more protection I can add the rest of the Treks kit later. I don't think I really need to worry to much about clearnace on the oil pan regardless of who's kit I get.

WayOf, thanks for the info on the belly up skid. Talking to my TJ friends that's all the rage. I'd never seen one for a JK and was almost certain it wouldn't even be an option for us based on gas tank placement, etc.

I'm running a 2.5" TF lift and 35" tires. I plan on getting into more rock crawling as I prefer that to mudding. Nothing on my JK has been done for "bling" factor. I've gone out of my way to avoid that at all costs.

 

i like the look of the covers. i've peeled my rear cover back, and dented it while backing up, and just rather not deal with any issues. $200 for the riddlers gets me what i wanted. Should work out just fine and i dont need to worry about it.

 

Skip, the stereo upgrade is really close to bling in my book.

Sorry could not resist.

 

i was a TJ owner for 10 years and just sold mine last year. the TJ had what most of us called, "the shovel". the t-case skid plate hung notoriously low and was constantly in the way. for it, a belly up was something that we all wanted. the JK is a totally different beast and a belly up skid simply is not needed as nothing like a bigass shovel exists under it. in fact, it was one of the things i thought the designers of the JK did right.

regarding skids, this is another area that i think needs clarification. back in the 2000 and early TJ's or heck, YJ's and CJ's, there were NO skids what so ever and things like your gas tank were mearly strapped on to the bottom of your jeep with a piece of tin foil. this strap did very little to protect your fuel cell and actually left the plastic sides and corners of it exposed to rocks. back then, a skid plate was absolutely necessary and something i made sure to get on my jeep. having said that, the JK's have been designed with armor on everything except the oil pan. these skids offer ample protection and do the job well. trust me, i have beat the living crap out of mine and they have not been compromised what so ever. sure, the gas tank skid can "look" pretty bad after a while but, it does the job and without adding any extra weight on your jeep. honestly, i would say to save your money when it comes to skids.

oh, as far as oil pan skids go, this is all i have on my white JK and it works great and was cheap....

 

Well now that it's decided I'm going to get the Riddlers what's your opinion of Lube Lockers? Get em or just go old school?

 

I suggest using JB Weld vice the supplied sealer to attach it--mine came off while on a muddy trail. I "found" it on my return trip down the road. LOL.

Quadratec Listing for Rancho Skid Plate

 

in my experience, nothing beats "the right stuff" made by permatex. it comes in what looks like a cheeze wiz tube and holds better than anything i have used in the past.