what armor is critical?

fasthid · **Posted:** Thu Oct 11, 2007 7:32 pm

what should be the sequence of adding skid plates, rock rails, etc. onto our auto-4x4 KJ '04 that came with nothing?

is the factory stuff decent, and is it a cost savings over aftermarket?

which items are most critical?

I've done only a quick look and cringed when I saw the auto trans pan :?:

AND is a front diff guard or HD cover important??

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Thu Oct 11, 2007 7:47 pm

1) engine skid
2) tranny skid
3) sliders
4) fuel tank skid
5) transfercase skid

Some stuff from the CRD Tech section that applies to all:

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... hp?t=24961

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 11, 2007 7:52 pm

1-front skid
1-tranny skid
1-t-case skid
1-fuel tank skid
2-rock rails

No It's not a typo,they all are equally important.For right now stock skids ,I believe, are the only one available.OEM rails are junk,spend a little more and get good ones like the Skink Sliders from Rock Lizard(click on link in sig for pics),they are worth there wieght in gold.

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Thu Oct 11, 2007 8:56 pm

They're all neccessary (or to reverse the question - which part of the driveline can you get home without)
factory or aftermarket depends on where you're driving
if you're doing fireroads and graded trails - factory stuff is fine and cheaper.
However - you're in California - there are a lot of really good trails close - and there are some serious rocks
aftermarket skids are cheaper than tow trucks back to civilization.

Rock Lizard has great stuff - All J's does too but they stopped carrying the superskid
(Rock Lizard was going to pick up the designs I don't know if that happened)
others - check Troy's
http://www.youngs.org/kjparts/

Gringo Loco · **Posted:** Thu Oct 11, 2007 9:40 pm

All of what has been said up top. I really pounded on my stock skids and have a new found respect for them. The sliders me and my dad fabbed also took a beating, but held up fine aside from some gouges from the granite we were wheeling on.

*edit*
I just wanted to add that the hitch is also a great skid to have. I know it saved my butt a few times.

jason thompson · **Posted:** Thu Oct 11, 2007 10:20 pm

IMO it will come down to where you wheel
we wheel wooded trails with lots of sticks and logs with some steep hills , all be it very short hills still steep
I would say you need them all and we dont have any rocks to worry about
fuel tank gets a hole and you can not get home
bust a hole in the tranny same thing you are "hichin"
bust up the T-case and about the same
the front skid protects the front diff and the oil pan so guess what

I have seen all of these parts take a hit from a big log or stick and not do well
now for us the OE stuff is fine less the tranny skid it will not take even 1 good hit on a log

nlife · **Joined:** Thu Aug 16, 2007 11:43 pm **Posts:** 226

Front skid would have saved me a whole crap-load of trouble and some $$. Although this is the first thing that's happened to one of my vehicles since I started driving the trails in 1992. I used to roll in a a chev sprint back then too

N

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 11, 2007 10:56 pm

sorry off the topic i know but would 1/8" thick RR's be strong enough to use as a jacking point? assuming you have the three supports and 8 or so bolts through the pinch weld

fasthid · **Posted:** Fri Oct 12, 2007 10:31 am

hey, all of this is useful stuff. using the rock rails as a jacking point? I would think a hi-lift would be into the body unless you can open that door, since the curved body sticks out beyond the rock sliders.

the sliders are probably stong enough to lift w/o damage though. I've done it on a TJ, no damage.

WoodysKJ · **Posted:** Fri Oct 12, 2007 3:20 pm

The only one that is CRITICAL is the one you DIDN'T PUT ON. Put them all on, or you will wish you had.

It's called Murphy's law of off roading. That damned rock will find your weakest spot. I promise you it will.

sandracer · **Posted:** Fri Oct 12, 2007 7:00 pm

What about adding rear differential protection to the list?

Now, which ones won't interfere with the factory fuel tank skid plate?

fasthid · **Posted:** Fri Oct 12, 2007 7:11 pm

unless I missed something, no one said front diff guard. isn't it likely to be the first thing to hit an unseen rock?

BeepBeepJeepJeep · **Posted:** Fri Oct 12, 2007 7:18 pm

spacomponents wrote:

unless I missed something, no one said front diff guard. isn't it likely to be the first thing to hit an unseen rock?

The engine skid takes care of that

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Fri Oct 12, 2007 8:05 pm

sandracer wrote:

What about adding rear differential protection to the list?

Now, which ones won't interfere with the factory fuel tank skid plate?

I added the RuffStuff diff cover and have had it on for probally 6-8 months and have done some really nasty trails here in CO and not once have even touched it once.It's not a bad idea by any means but I have yet to touch mine.

jason thompson · **Posted:** Sat Oct 13, 2007 12:35 am

sandracer wrote:

What about adding rear differential protection to the list?

Now, which ones won't interfere with the factory fuel tank skid plate?

IDK wih one will stay out of the fuel tank on a KJ but I do know that on my TJ with a D44 wich I beat to hell
the OE cover was shot
so if you plan to use your KJ like a jeep was ment to be used then a diff cover is not a bad idea

nlife · **Joined:** Thu Aug 16, 2007 11:43 pm **Posts:** 226

BeepBeepJeepJeep wrote:

spacomponents wrote:

unless I missed something, no one said front diff guard. isn't it likely to be the first thing to hit an unseen rock?

The engine skid takes care of that

I did post a pic of the first thing to hit an unseen rock...

N

C co Crusader 2/127 · **Posted:** Sat Oct 13, 2007 7:06 pm

well i know from expereince that the front skid does wonders..... thank god it has a dent and nothing else does.. and i know again from first hand expereince that a fuel tank skid works wonders or in my case didnt........ because i didnt have one. There is nothing like having to have to stop at ever gas station and put 10 bucks in gas in ande buy 4 or 5 gas cans because you have a hole in yout tank the size of your fist

jeeplikens · **Posted:** Tue Oct 16, 2007 4:02 am

Now now.. come on fellas.. We all know that the most needed armor for the KJ is SIDE DOOR impact protectors. Given the ground clearance, these things jump most curbs, potholes and large Burger King sacks of trash found in most major shopping mall parking lots. It's when you squeeze into those tight parking spots that can destroy your Liberty in as fast as 2 hours of back to school shopping can put you in debt. So, I think they need 2 rub rails strategically placed so those Ford rusted out Escort doors don't reach out and ding the heck out of ya.. :wink:

But in the short 3 years I owned my KJ, had only 1 small ding. Ground clearance sometimes has more advanatage then one thinks. :roll:

what armor is critical?

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