Skids
 

what kind of skid plates will i need under the jk??? I plan on geting the 4dr rubicon. I know i will need dif covers, which ones are the best?

Look at the AEV front skid plate. It is also narrower than the stock to allow for larger meats with no rubbin. There supposed to start shipping this week/next. This is the best one I have seen, my thoughts anyhow...

If you're planning on keeping the stock exhaust set-up, you'll probably want a skid for the muffler. I think Kilby is working on one.

Northridge4x4.com has some killer deals running for RockCrusher diff gaurds, I got 2 for like 130 shipped! about half the price as any other ones, and they seem real hard core.

For me personally, I would forget trying to protect the muffler as you can still drive without one. Once it gets beat up enough, I would just relocate it next to the drive shaft. IMHO, a skid for this would be a waste of money.

Now, the one place I have seen every JK take the most beating has been the gas tank. And, so far, the factory skids seem to do okay to protect from punctures but they are still getting pretty deformed from the hits. Need I say, this would be a nice upgrade once one is available.

As far as other areas I think need protecting goes, definitely the rockers and in my opinion, the oil pan.

What about the large plastic "box" that hangs precariously between the frame rails back by the gastank? Any ideas what this is? It looks like it is part of the emission systom. It looks like it's just waiting to be snapped off by a rock or a stump.

It's the charcoal canister and being that it is just a part of the emission system, I would think you could loose it and still make it home. :yup:

Ahh.. good point! I wont worry about it then. :D

Good point about the muffler - it really depends on what you want, however. I will probably get a muffler skid because I don't think I want to replace the factory exhaust system. So, a skid will protect the stock muffler. Not a waste of money if that is your goal.

I agree with your other points - upgraded stock gas tank skid is probably a good idea (when one becomes available). Oil pan does also seem to be a bit vulnerable.

Yeah, but how much would it cost to replace it?? Maybe less than a simple/cheap skid? And if it gets smashed a second time, a skid almost certainly would have paid for itself. Just a thought, although it doesn't seem to be hanging all that low (it just stands out because it's the only thing located in that area).