Rancho makes a nice oil pan protector

http://project-jk.com/wpg2?g2_itemId=134777

 

Indeed, I installed that on my jeep and it's great..

 

First thing if you are actually going to use the 4 wheel drive function and test the "trail rated" badge. Recovery equipment, meaning a winch and accessories. Nothing sux more than being stuck in the middle of no-where and way to get your self out. If not using it then start putting on chrome and drive to the mall.

Syn. ropes are great but if you are on a budget get shackles, pulley(snatch block), hi-lift jack, and straps. Ropes are nice but steel cable will do the job quite well, has for decades. Then a CB, does not have to be fancy just operational.

 

Armor for sure... Protect first, then enhance

 

I'll agree with everybody else..

armor, armor, armor... Protect your investment!

 

You should be find with what you have, the stock skids are strong as hell, some o the largest rigs on here are still running the stock skid plates. Just think of it this way, the more clearance you have, the less chance of bottoming out. Also a winch will be used more than a skid plate will on most moderate wheeling, upgraded skids are really only used efficiently when you do some decent crawling.

Others may agree or disagree with this but this is just the experiences I have had with MY jk

 

Thanks for your suggestions! I definitely already have a CB and recovery equipment (as well as first aid kits, fire extinquisher, etc) for the trails and I think I'll move forward with more armor a winch and then a snorkel.

Here's my previous rig with a snorkel which was reassuring crossing the deep stuff:



And yes, I do take my JK out on the trails - that's why I bought it!





Thanks again for your help!

 

I like the look of that area, always liked the forrest scene but most of what we have around here is pretty dry minus some stuff up in the mountains, I've got a big bear trip this weekend for three days, I'm excited for a change of scenery