Mopar Skids Discontinued up to 2004

rescu2000 · **Posted:** Tue May 20, 2008 5:39 pm

It seems that the Mopar skids for the KJ up to the 2004 year have been discontinued. Anyone know if the 2005 skids can be modified to fit the 2003?

Thanks,
Rescu2000

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Tue May 20, 2008 7:39 pm

I don't know that it would be worth it IF you had to buy them from a dealer. Everyone on here calls them junk! So, why by junk and have to rework it to fit? Buy after market that does fit and a better product.

Terry

rescu2000 · **Posted:** Tue May 20, 2008 9:18 pm

Cost mostly. The mopar ones are fine for minor offroading. You can get the set for about half what the aftermarket ones cost.

I'm kinda torn at the moment. On one hand, I'd like to build a good off-road rig, but I'm not sure it makes sense. I'm thinking of just keeping the jeep like it is (just add light skids) for minor offroading. Then build a trail rig from an older SFA Jeep.

Here is why:
The Libby is a daily (sometimes long distance - 600 miles) driver. I would have to have the setup below to be happy using it as a daily driver AND true offroad rig:
ARB lockers front and rear - ~$2000
Full Skids ~$1000
ARB Bumper ~$1000
Winch ~$1000
Al's upper arms ~$400
On Board Air ~$200

THEN I'd have to consider a larger lift and bigger tires and/or a SFA swap if I want to get real serious. Another $10k minimum, maybe more if I want 35" tires.

Alternatively, I could either build up a Wrangler, or maybe a Cherokee. Maybe one that has even seen better days (no worries about damage, etc)
I'd already have the SFA. I can get an already lifted and somewhat modded Jeep for less than the cost of the SFA swap alone.

Bottom Line, I'm questioning whether modding the Libby is cost effective for me. It would be different if I had my own plasma cutter, bender, welder, and the skill to do all of the installs and mods myself.

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Tue May 20, 2008 9:23 pm

It should fit - but the only person who's had both said the 05's are thinner (I believe it - I've bent mine - and I don't think many people have bent the 02-04's)
I tried to order an 04 - but they were out
I'll probably end up with a Skid row

Inc · **Posted:** Tue May 20, 2008 9:27 pm

For me, I kept my Mopar skids and don't plan on replacing them until I bend them into unusable shapes. I don't wheel hard enough to warrant any super HD skids, not until the Kj get put away and I get another dd. Then I will build the kj into something that warrants new skids, a winch, f&r bumpers, etc. Even so, I still think I might get a different trail rig and keep the KJ as my dd and go hardcore with something that is already a SFA rig. Anyway, I'd check ebay, craigslist, put a post down in the wanted section of the LOST site and see what happens. it depends on how you will use your jeep and cost is always a factor. My 2 cents

rescu2000 · **Posted:** Tue May 20, 2008 9:38 pm

At least I'm not crazy and others have had the same thought. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have a hardcore offroad Libby. I just think I could have a better rig for less money by going with another vehicle.

InCommando · **Posted:** Tue May 20, 2008 9:52 pm

Then build a trail rig from an older SFA Jeep.

Here is why:
The Libby is a daily (sometimes long distance - 600 miles) driver. I would have to have the setup below to be happy using it as a daily driver AND true offroad rig:
ARB lockers front and rear - ~$2000
Full Skids ~$1000
ARB Bumper ~$1000
Winch ~$1000
Al's upper arms ~$400
On Board Air ~$200
THEN I'd have to consider a larger lift and bigger tires and/or a SFA swap if I want to get real serious. Another $10k minimum, maybe more if I want 35" tires.

'79 Jeep Cherokee: 360 V8, T18 ( 6.32 first gear) 4spd, D20 x-fers, D44's F/R $800
285/75/R16 (33") Trxus M/T's (not new but never mounted) $400
16x8 Soft 8's $225
Rebuild brakes sytem front to rear for safety $200

Total $1625

To do's:

Install 4.27's that were given to me $50 for lube, etc
bob rear frame at shackles and remove back half of roof (chop) $0
If no deal on Detroit is found for rear go with mini spool $100
"Lift" kit to go to 35's ( sawzall electricity) $1

Having less than $2k in a streetable, dependable trail rig you do not have to rely on for DD duty or worry about the body or worry about the front diff all the time $ ( you know)

With a lot of people bailing on the motorsport thing right now, it would probably be a good time to look for a project jeep.

jason thompson · **Posted:** Tue May 20, 2008 9:54 pm

IMO you are going over board as far as what you want in a DD/weekend trail rig
skids are a must no getting around that but even on a TJ they are a must and I paid ~$600 to get just 1 on my TJ
so even if you go with the best it will still be less for the KJ
That one skid was an Nth* Tummy tucker and an SYE was needed
I am also getting a Kilby high clearance fuel tank skid ~$250

Now back to what you "want" and what is "real life"
Yes ARB's are nice but not needed for 1/2 the cost of ARB's you can get a Detroit locker rear and a Tru-Trac front
sure you dont get 100% lock up in the front but for what any KJ can do the TT will be more than enough with the Detroit
out back ,and I have one in my TJ they are not bad at all as far as road manners
You dont need a winch ,use common sense and wheel with a group then instead of a $1000 winch you can get a $50 strap
The ARB bumper ,again like all things ARB nice but not NEEDED, the plastic on the lower portion of the bumper will flex so the extra clearance from the ARB not really needed
I also think that on board air is over rated ,WAY OVER RATED, CO2 is the way to go

You have a Jeep put the OE skids on other than the tranny skid ,complete waste of time and money
spend your money on a Tranny skid
get a lift and some good MT's
Lock the rear ,Detroit, put the Tru-Trac up front and go wheel
when you bend the cheep skids to the point they can not be used then replace them
I mean hell for about $3K you can have a great trail rig that will eat most of the cookie cutter TJ's for lunch
unless they are locked the "one wheel peel" will kill them and I have found that more than 3/4 of the TJ's on the road who are lifted on 33's are running open front and rear ,on a rail that is like bringing a knife to a gun fight

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Tue May 20, 2008 10:15 pm

check ebay and craigslist for some good aftermarket, I posted some from craigslist not too long ago

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Tue May 20, 2008 10:43 pm

or for stock try jparts.com
http://jparts.com/product_info.php?cPat ... bf4bf4a393

Transmission-$41.23
Front Engine-$65.14
Gas Tank-$98.12
T-Case-$41.23

DryBones · **Posted:** Wed May 21, 2008 7:26 am

just ordered a complete set fot my 05. Also decided to get the factory rock rails too! Rattlecan yellow....here I come!!!

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Wed May 21, 2008 11:37 pm

Im with the DD group so the stock skids are fine for me. Ive hit them a few times and even slid over the tranny skid pretty good, nothing has ever bent.

The first time you bring the weight of the Jeep down onto that tranny skid, its gone.

DryBones · **Posted:** Thu May 22, 2008 10:26 am

Fulltimer wrote:

I don't know that it would be worth it IF you had to buy them from a dealer. Everyone on here calls them junk! So, why by junk and have to rework it to fit? Buy after market that does fit and a better product.

Terry

Terry what are you using for skids?

rescu2000 · **Posted:** Sun May 25, 2008 8:50 pm

Ok, I got the 2005 skids. They KINDA fit the 2003. There is one hole on each plat that does not line up. (Two on the tranny skid, but one is common with the engine skid.) One of the things I am thinking about is the weak tranny skid. Has anyone tried tying that skid to the transfer case skid? I wonder if welding all three skids into one solid skid would strengthen them any? I'm going to try it, as soon as I get the rest of the mounting holes drilled. They'd still be removable, but only as one solid piece. It's free, so it's worth a try

Any thoughts?
Rescu2000

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Sun May 25, 2008 10:15 pm

There were a couple of folks who were welding angle iron on the outside of the tranny skid - looks good - don't know how they hold up .
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=184777#184777

(and check page 5 for callaway)

- and to fit the 05 tranny skid - I think you have to drill a hole in the crossmember and run a bolt through it. - the 05's have a nutsert hole there.

DryBones · **Posted:** Tue May 27, 2008 4:44 pm

my skids should be here tomorrow!!! I know they are "only" Mopar OEM skids but they should be good enough for me. Rock rails are on back-order

but that should give me time this weekend to install the skids and hopefully get the rails next week.

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Tue May 27, 2008 5:10 pm

DryBones wrote:

my skids should be here tomorrow!!! I know they are "only" Mopar OEM skids but they should be good enough for me. Rock rails are on back-order

but that should give me time this weekend to install the skids and hopefully get the rails next week.

your not talking about the stock rock rails are you??

DryBones · **Posted:** Tue May 27, 2008 6:32 pm

yep, I am a poser! :lol:

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Tue May 27, 2008 7:32 pm

well for just a little bit more you can get some real rock rails and then you dont have to mess with the darn nutserts, and trust me they arent that much fun to install

DryBones · **Posted:** Tue May 27, 2008 7:49 pm

well I hope these will be ok for my needs. I am really not interested in drilling and such unless I have to. I may even try to replace bolts and nutzerts with real bolts and nuts if possible.

Mopar Skids Discontinued up to 2004

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