What would you say are the most important skid plates to add to a stock JKU, and in what order, if you could only purchase one at a time?

(Already have rock rails/nerf bars/whatever you want to call them)

 

Lot of that depends on how you wheel. Guessing you are up in big rocks?

The factory TC skid is adequate protection. You might look at relocating the evap if you have not already. That is typically a better option than covering it better. The gas skid, though wimpy, is at least protection. That would leave the oil/tranny skid as the first thing to address IMO. You can do a little reading and decide if a simple box that covers your oil pan or the kind that hangs down with arms and provides a full surface is better for you. I used to think the full flat skid was a better idea, though as the years went on and the heavier my jeep got, I kinda think just covering that oil pan would suffice just fine. What I would do as a first step is replace the cross member with a heavy duty version. They don't cost a whole lot and that is something you bang on the rocks all the time.....and once it's dented up it becomes a pain in the ass trying to line any skids up.

**Keep in mind you're adding a lot of extra weight. There's nothing really sexy about skid plates and unless you're wheeling in big rocks you're banging all the time then the money and weight might be spent better elsewhere.

 

Excessive weight is the enemy of the JK, so consider aluminum unless you are going to be really hitting it hard. I have been running this aluminum engine/transmission skid plate and with a little modification, using the factory transfer case skid plate. My base model sport came with a factory fuel tank skid plate of sorts, it has held up fine so far, but I don't do anything hard core.

https://www.quadratec.com/p/quadrate...ep-wrangler-jk

 

I would second the HD cross member and maybe just the oil pan. I have the tight oil pan skid and I have never touched it and I play in the rocks from time to time. Skids are overdone by newbs and a waste of money that cost you clearance and weighs you down.

 

Skip to 5:40, that was me a couple weeks ago. I’ll take my waste of money and extra 80lbs all day long.

 

looks like you hung up on your cross member. If you would have taken the same line as everyone else you would have been fine.

 

There were only 2 other rigs that tried that. Both were well built rigs on 40’s and 42’s. Any other Jeep on 37’s just took the bypass.

 

Lol - well it’s been a long time since I’ve been called a newb.

Hah, hah - maybe I just like fabricating stuff - but ....

I’m in Sv_dude’s camp - I’ll use the protection now, so things are still rosey the next morning.

TheDirtman, MrClortho, and resharp001 are wayyyyy more knowledgeable about this stuff than me - but I gotta admit that skid plates were one of my first considerations !

To the Op - likely the Oil Pan & Transfer Case are the first pieces you’re gonna get - but you can add to your protection as you go along.

Here is a shot of the plates I fabbed up just back from Powder Coating


And here they are installed - ohhhhhh now THATS pretty sexy !


Of course, they don’t look quite that good anymore - but they keep me in one piece !

Hah, hah - ok guys, demolish me !

C. Neville Esquire

 

Neville, those look great....as does the entire undercarriage.

I guess I just stress for each to be honest with themselves about use, terrain, and what they really need for protection. So many people feel they need skids, but really aren't wheeling like you guys are. I'm not opposed to full skid systems, but in reality they are just extra weight for what many are doing. There was a time I was also in the camp of "meh, it's just a few more pounds and I'd rather have <fill in the blank>". It sure does add up over time though. Sounded like OP is on a budget and will need to piece things together over time. Start with a cross member, protect the oil pan in some form or fashion and go from there. If wheelin continues down an aggressive path, by all means protect things.

 

I'd agree with the above. My stock crossmember looked like a banana (opposite the way it's supposed to be) after just a few trips out. I have a full set of skids now and, while I don't bang on them like I did when I was at stock height, I'm happy they're there.