I keep looking at belly armor for my '12 JKU and it looks like its down to EVO ProTeK Skid System [offroadevolution.com/store/proddetail.php?prod=EVO-PROTEK] or River Raider Skid Plates- Complete System [riverraider.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=38&product_id=65] . EVO is less than half the price of the RR, but the RR covers more and is smoother.
Any opinions out there?

 

I was in the exact same spot as you with my 2012 2 door a few weeks ago. I went with the RR for a few reasons. One was that I got a smokin deal on them. I also prefer that the RR oil pan skid does not mount to the oil pan bolts. Also, for 2012 the oil pan/ trans skid is one piece, and fewer seams are better. I'll be putting them on today hopefully, but I can tell you that they are rock solid pieces. I also like how the RR skids all match up nicely and provide a single smooth surface to drag my stock height Rubicon over every rock in sight.

 

the EVO protek protects only what you need and nothing that you don't need. your jeep comes with a factory gas tank, transfer case and even evap skid and they all work great. i have been pounding on my factory skids for over 5 years now and they all have held up just fine. sure, they look beat to all hell but, that doesn't mean they aren't doing their job. installing anything more than you need will just add more weight than you need, trap excessive amounts of heat, make it difficult to service your jeep, will hide leaks that you really want to see, can be extremely difficult to remove when the bolts get damaged and of course, cost more.

 

unless you can prove how it would be a problem, i can tell you from experience that there's nothing wrong with bolting a skid directly to the oil pan.

also, when you're wheeling correctly, you put your tires on the obstacle - not drag the belly of your jeep over them.

 

I assume you aren't talking about a 2012. Haven't looked with any great detail yet, but hardly any factory skids compared to my 2007

 

the OP has a 2012 and yes, the evo protek skid system will protect the oil pan, transmission cooler line, transmission sump pan, exhaust cross over and and cross member - these are all things that ARE NOT protected from the factory. on an 07-10, i would still recommend the evo oil pan skid and on 11's, the transmission skid as well as one was no longer offered that year.

 

Gotcha. Id just love to know why they would omit the factory skids on the 2012s. They're a start and certainly better than nothing. Damn soccer moms :p lol

 

I bought my 2007 used tho so it could have had aftermarket skids and I'm just sounding stupid now

 

I've read through a bunch of these these threads and agree with your assessments but dont recall the comment on a transmission skid for 2011s before. Is that just for auto transmissions or for manuals as well?

 

i'm hoping if people bitch enough to chrysler they will fix that line on the auto tranny. nice of them to address the evap skid and add tranny coolers to the 12.