Which skid plate is the most important

The Texan · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2015 11:55 am **Posts:** 19

Trying to build up my 2011 Libby as I have the funds. The OME lift kit is paid for and the money for the front extraction bar is set aside waiting for mine to be built. Now I need to look at the underside and start there. Will not be doing any rock climbing or really nasty trails, but will be using it on BLM & USFS fire trials and designated Jeep trails to get to back country lakes and out of the way scenic areas. Looking for ideas from experienced off roaders, so educate me please ....Thanks

NAMoulton1 · **Joined:** Tue Aug 12, 2014 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1054

Honestly...all of them...but so far I've only dented two: engine skid and gas tank.

tommudd · **Posted:** Sat Apr 25, 2015 12:39 pm

All of them are, you may get the front wheels over something only to slip sideways and hit the transmission or gas tank
You never know what or when you'll need them.
Skid plates have even saved me a ton of money when hitting crap on the road ( like ladders/ a transmission/ lawn chairs etc )
So its pretty much all of them or take your chance

The Texan · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2015 11:55 am **Posts:** 19

To carry the question a bit further, which is better, both in quality and price, OEM or aftermarket skid plates?

NAMoulton1 · **Joined:** Tue Aug 12, 2014 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1054

The Texan wrote:

To carry the question a bit further, which is better, both in quality and price, OEM or aftermarket skid plates?

Only ones 100% test fitted on KKs are MOPAR skids. Skid Row skids would be the way to go for the engine, transmission, transfer case (gas tank is different than KJs) but they're nearly 4 times the price.

lfhoward · **Posted:** Sat Apr 25, 2015 8:46 pm

Which skid plate is most important? ...Yes. :wink:

My engine skid took a direct impact from a disembodied driveshaft last month, but I am glad to have all of them. Sort of expensive up front, but cheap insurance considering what components they protect.

TIJKK1220 · **Posted:** Sun Apr 26, 2015 2:54 am

Funny enough at the dealership the fuel tank skid costs less than the flimsy fuel tank bracket

ajohns1288 · **Posted:** Sun Apr 26, 2015 9:25 am

I would say the transmission skid is, but you need the engine skid to go with it. Story time: after a long day at work, I completely missed the barricades and drop off that I parked in front of and went to go forward over them. I basically belly flopped hard right onto my trans skid and slid along the rest of them. The noise was awful, but the only damage was the trans skid bent up just enough to touch the exhaust and the scratched paint.

The Texan · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2015 11:55 am **Posts:** 19

OK, I took your advice and ordered all 3 skid plates from Cherokee Jeep in the Atlanta area. They were the best in both price and shipping I could find.

Now onto the next question, installing the 3 plates, easy or hard for this old man in my garage? What will I need in the way of tools or should I just go ahead and have the mechanic do the install?

Thanks for all the help folks, I am new to this world.

tommudd · **Posted:** Sun Apr 26, 2015 6:53 pm

The Texan wrote:

OK, I took your advice and ordered all 3 skid plates from Cherokee Jeep in the Atlanta area. They were the best in both price and shipping I could find.

Now onto the next question, installing the 3 plates, easy or hard for this old man in my garage? What will I need in the way of tools or should I just go ahead and have the mechanic do the install?

Thanks for all the help folks, I am new to this world.

Engine and transmission ones are real easy.
Gas tank on a KK can be a bit of a mean one , just take your time , get the Jeep up enough to have room to move

NAMoulton1 · **Joined:** Tue Aug 12, 2014 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1054

Being at 4" lift I can shimmy my way under the Jeep with the skid laying on me and just hold it in place as I bolt it up. As Tom said, engine, transmission, and (especially) the transfer case skids are easy. Gas tank skid is a little tricky...depends on if you trust ratchet straps enough or feel you'd rather disconnect everything and drop the tank out. Both viable, both a pain in the rear and preferably a two-person excursion...

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Sun Apr 26, 2015 10:36 pm

Yep, 3.5" of lift and I can crawl right under. Being 22 helps, but that said my 49 year old old man can do it too. But he's also active and is almost as fit as me.

If you're stock height jack stand or the ramps you drive up on will make it easier for you.

The Texan · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2015 11:55 am **Posts:** 19

Bmxer524 wrote:

Yep, 3.5" of lift and I can crawl right under. Being 22 helps, but that said my 49 year old old man can do it too. But he's also active and is almost as fit as me.

If you're stock height jack stand or the ramps you drive up on will make it easier for you.

LOL .... what is working against me is 74 years of life, but I still try.

wildemt · **Posted:** Sun Apr 26, 2015 11:59 pm

Lots of excellent how-to's around here to help as well. I consulted them when I started and they were quite helpful.

Skid plates are under "Exterior Mods" and subcategory "Armor."
viewtopic.php?f=104&t=80240

In fact, now that I think about it... can't we call them "armor" all the time? It sounds WAY better. I'd rather drive an armored Jeep than a skid-plated Jeep. Just sayin...

NAMoulton1 · **Joined:** Tue Aug 12, 2014 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1054

wildemt wrote:

In fact, now that I think about it... can't we call them "armor" all the time? It sounds WAY better. I'd rather drive an armored Jeep than a skid-plated Jeep. Just sayin...

I like to think my Jeep is "heavily" armored haha.

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon Apr 27, 2015 11:00 am

The Texan wrote:

Bmxer524 wrote:

Yep, 3.5" of lift and I can crawl right under. Being 22 helps, but that said my 49 year old old man can do it too. But he's also active and is almost as fit as me.

If you're stock height jack stand or the ramps you drive up on will make it easier for you.

LOL .... what is working against me is 74 years of life, but I still try.

At over 60 I still get around and under mine pretty good even outpacing most of the younger guys when doing lifts and such
Of course they don't see me crawling out of bed the next morning and getting my body started :ROTFL:

Mine sits high enough as well to roll under and do everything I have to as well, helps a lot

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 27, 2015 12:45 pm

tommudd wrote:

The Texan wrote:

Bmxer524 wrote:

Yep, 3.5" of lift and I can crawl right under. Being 22 helps, but that said my 49 year old old man can do it too. But he's also active and is almost as fit as me.

If you're stock height jack stand or the ramps you drive up on will make it easier for you.

LOL .... what is working against me is 74 years of life, but I still try.

At over 60 I still get around and under mine pretty good even outpacing most of the younger guys when doing lifts and such
Of course they don't see me crawling out of bed the next morning and getting my body started :ROTFL:

Mine sits high enough as well to roll under and do everything I have to as well, helps a lot

My 81 year old grandpa still does roofing side jobs and isn't afraid to get down and help in the bilge of a boat or work on cars/trucks. He's a little limited now having both knees replaced for the 2nd time, a bad back, and being overweight, but he'll get the job done.

He actually was with me when I was installing my hitch. I sat under the Jeep with the hitch and he handed me tools. After 20 years of working with him and my dad, the roles reversed haha.

The Texan · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2015 11:55 am **Posts:** 19

Well, I am bummed out. I ordered the skid plates from Factory Chrysler Parts.com(Cherokee Chrysler Dodge Jeep, Canton, GA) off their web site last week. They took my money and I didn't hear from them for a week. Now I get this email from them ..... "We are sorry to inform you we do not ship anysheet metal, glass, full length brake lines(length) or any over sized items.These items are not shipped due to the following reasons damage that occursduring shipping , requires a freight shipment or the part is to large to shipinternational. We will refund the payment and cancel the order. we are sorryfor the inconvenience." They will go on my blacklist as a poor company to do business with for any reason.

Now back to searching for a DECENT company to order from.

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue May 05, 2015 9:07 pm

The Texan wrote:

Well, I am bummed out. I ordered the skid plates from Factory Chrysler Parts.com(Cherokee Chrysler Dodge Jeep, Canton, GA) off their web site last week. They took my money and I didn't hear from them for a week. Now I get this email from them ..... "We are sorry to inform you we do not ship anysheet metal, glass, full length brake lines(length) or any over sized items.These items are not shipped due to the following reasons damage that occursduring shipping , requires a freight shipment or the part is to large to shipinternational. We will refund the payment and cancel the order. we are sorryfor the inconvenience." They will go on my blacklist as a poor company to do business with for any reason.

Now back to searching for a DECENT company to order from.

try www.factorymoparparts.net

The Texan · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2015 11:55 am **Posts:** 19

Thanks Tom. I could not find any reviews of their service, but I went ahead and placed the order. Hopefully they have a little more integrity than Cherokee Jeep in GA.

The OME lift kit is in and I am super pleased with the results. It is an awesome high end system.

Which skid plate is the most important

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