Looking at adding skid plates to my JKU. I'm considering one of the aluminum skid systems that cover the oil pan/transmission/TC/gas tank. My factory gas tank skid has taken some heavy hits as well as the cross member, and I've been playing in the rocks much more lately so I'd like to protect those areas better in addition to the unprotected areas like the oil pan. Besides the factory skids, I currently have skids on my evap can and LCAs.

I like the weight savings with aluminum, but wanted to hear from those that have beat on them how they've held up. Also, some aluminum skids can be ordered bare metal or with a finish. Is there any reason not to leave aluminum unfinished? I've been looking at Rock Hard and River Raider, any other comparable brands I should consider?

 

In europe we use aluminium alot for skids etc.....no problem there, 8mm is the way to go and aircraft grade 6 still works ok. Get it un-finished as paint etc just is a waste since its is going to be bashed anyways. It doesn't rust, self protects thanks to alumium oxide.

 

I have the aluminum skids on mine, I forget what brand but they were not what you have listed. So far I have not really needed them, but I will say they were a bear to install. I spoke to the shop I purchased them from and they said yeah, most of the kits the holes don't line up and you have to re-drill them?? Once on and the oil drain holes enlarged to work I feel safer in the rocks.

The drain holes for the oil pan and transfer case were not even close to working!

Here are some bad pics of what I got installed.

 

A couple of things about aluminum. Its obviously not as strong as steal so if you are looking at kits that weren't designed to be made out of aluminum from the get go, then you probably aren't going to get something that will hold up for very long. Aluminum made products need additional bracing/reinforcement to make the structural product stronger overall.

Next aluminum gauges so if its not layered with something like uhmw (I think that's the acronym) it wont last very long either.

Food for thought.

 

The River Raider skids can be purchased with UHMW but it about doubles the price. I'm not sure I understand what it is about aluminum that won't last long if it's not coated with something like UHMW or even paint. I know that it can eventually corrode, but that takes a very long time doesn't it?

 

I had a full set of Aluminum skid plates on my previous Jeep, and purchased the same for my current Jeep.

Both are from ASFIR. Link - Front Skid Plate - Jeep

This company has lots of experience with Aluminum skid plates, and also sell them to a few armies.

Never coated or painted mine, and never had a problem.
Aluminum skid plates are at least as strong as steel, in fact stronger than some steel skids -- at least the ones I've been using, from ASFIR.
They are well designed and made, and need nothing in addition. I've seen them get seriously abused by the "craziest" drivers here, and they held up very well.
Again - mine weren't coated or painted, and there was no corrosion on 2 Jeeps in succession.
I don't know about salted roads, we have very little snow here. In any case, the tough Aluminum alloy is less sensitive than steel.

The front skid plate was moved with the ARB bumper to the current Jeep, untill I switched to a XRC bumper which has it's own skid.
This is how it looks after years of DD and offroading on two Jeeps -- bare Aluminum alloy, no corrosion. (The dark spot that looks like something in Chinese, is a grease or oil stain, not corrosion)
Notice the conical protection for the bolts (didn't come with the skid).

 

It depends of the specific Aluminum alloy. Some alloys are very durable.
See the bare Aluminum on airplanes - no corrosion.

 

I wasn't aware of this company. Thanks, I'll take a closer look at these.

 

I can vouch for asfir too......really good stuff!!!

 

Aluminum gouges a lot easier than steel so as you go over rocks, the skids will get more and more tore up. Eventually it will be bad enough where they will work against you when trying to slide over a rock.