So after many years of 'wheeling my TJ, and then a few summers of jet skis, I'm ready to get back into off road fun.

Picked up a 2012 Rubicon on 315s with a 3" BDS lift.

So, I'm thinking that before I hit the off road park, I'd like to skid plate up a few things, just in case

I'm thinking oil pan skid and sway bar skid?

who makes good, cost effective skids and what else should I look into?

My TJ had a skid under EVERYTHING. (I added). front diff, front control arm mounts, oil pan, transmission, rear diff slider, etc etc.

shame I sold it :(

 

A lot of this will depend on how your use your Jeep, but I will describe what has worked for me ...

Replaced diffy covers (stronger, and allow the lube level to be accommodate the lift).
EVO skids on front LCA brackets and rear shock mounts (these get beat up easily, so good to reinforce with the skids)
Rancho Rock Gear oil pan cover (reinforces the cover, but still allows easy access)
Shrockworks front bumper (comes with skid for sway bar motor--if I had one!)
Relocated steering stabilizer with Woods/Dominion Off-road kit. Also replaced it with TF because OEM got bent too easily.
Relocated evap canister with Woods/Dominion Off-road kit
Replaced tie rod and drag link with Currie rod kit because drag link got bent off-road

I think that's about it. I depend on the OEM skids to protect those parts they were designed to protect--they show their wear and tear, LOL. But, they've held up well for the past nearly seven years. Mostly I'm into overlanding/expedition travel, but I have played hard on the rocks every now and then. And that's when the real damage occurs, of course.

 

thanks for the list, I will check them out!

I am concerned about the sway bar motor. seems like an easy hit.

I plan to start off easy on the trails to get back into it, but with a capable vehicle, we all know how long that will last!

I usually preferred the rocks to the mud so I could SEE what I broke without getting covered in dirt...

 

The sway bar disconnect motor has a crash bar to give it limited protection. I really like my EVO Protek skids. Depending on front bumper you can get a skid to protect the disconnect motor. Poison Spyder makes a good combination.

 

I have the mopar skid.

 

I love my evo protek skid plate set on my 2012 2 door JK with a 3" BDS lift

I should probably get the LCA and rear shock mount from Ace

As it just sort of worked out all applicable mods wound up being Ace products except the skid plate system from evo

Matthew