Anyone have some good advise for skids. I want to be able to do some decently hard wheeling but the jeep is also gonna be my DD so i have to protect it. im not familiar with welding at all so preferably i want to be able to get just bolt on skids
which areas should i really protect and whats the best brand skid out there to protect it?

i will be putting these on a 09 JKU 6-speed

 

The Evo protek system, pure jeep skids, and the River Raider skids (but they aren't cheap). I'm sure there is more

 

Rock Hard has some pretty good complete ones as well....

 

if you've got a 2012, i would recommend the evo protek skid system. if you've got a 2011 or older, i would just install an oil pan skid like the kind evo will be releasing or the kind that rancho makes now. in spite of what the fear mongers will tell you, it really is all you need and the factory skids will do just fine protecting your jeep. sure, they get beat up but, after 5 years of beating our up, they're still working just fine. of course, we just go to the mall and back.

 

I second this, although I've made fewer trips to the mall. I have however had my jeep resting comfortably on each of the factory skids and also pushed a few large rocks around with them. They do what they're made to do.

I would recommend diff cover skids in addition to the oil pan skid. Being the lowest points and located where your tires don't protect them it's easy to ram them into objects. Plus they strengthen the axel.

As far as oil skids I have the Rancho skid. Requires zero knowledge to put it on as it basically just sticks to it. It won't fall off though, it's such a tight fit I had to use my jack to push it into place.

And then rocker guards of some sort. Whether steps or sliders. You can get Rubi take-offs pretty cheap on here. Mine have paid for themselves many times over.

 

good points - rocker guards are a must on any jeep that gets used

 

Thank you for the props. After posting I noticed he said he has a JKU, in which case the rocker guards will be even more important. If you get ones that double as steps and attach at the body mounts then make sure they attach in the middle as well as the ends. Due to the long JKU length some of these will bend while under pressure and end up denting the body.

 

TNT Customs has a slick skid system, I like that it come in 1/4" Aluminum.

 

One other skid to think about: evap canister. Either pick up a skid for it or relocate it. Between that, an oil pan skid, some rock rails, and the factory skids, you'll be well protected.

 

if you're into spending money on skids that you don't need, trap heat, make it difficult to spot leaks or service your jeep, sure, i suppose you could say they are slick

if anything, relocating it would be the better way to go but even at that, knocking off your evap is no big deal. i've knocked mine off several times and only had to replace it once. certainly, a damaged evap won't leave you stranded on the trail.