Does it help any (at all?) to take the skid plates off when you're not actively off-roading? Has anyone done this and has it improved any fuel consumption, performance, etc.?

Related question: how heavy are the full set of OEM plates?

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DIRTY KJ :: flickr photostream
"Primitive life is very common and intelligent life is fairly rare ... some would say it has yet to occur on Earth" --- Stephen Hawking

Try it and let us know how it works.

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99 TJ
71 C101
04 KJ
03 SFA KJ Sport
LOST JEEPS So-Cal

I do for the winter. Helps keep the bottom of the KJ clean. Actually get more snow/ice/slush/salt up under the KJ but its easy to flush out. With the skids don't get as much but hard to clean.

I think it helps with ride quality and it gives back some clearance up front(probably just me w/ bumper and winch up front).

I think it helped with the mileage, Maybe 1-2mpg.

People have had problems with the factory mounting points failing so I don't want to take them off and put them on all the time. When I take them off I put the bolts back and tighten them down to keep junk out of the threads.

Never really have, but I doubt it really can make that much of a difference. An extra passenger would have a greater effect, if you are just considering weight. I honestly doubt you would notice a thing.

If anything I heard it improves mileage on the highway because your underbody is now more aerodynamic.

I've been pulling the engine and tranny skids each time after wheelin. Mainly to remove rocks and mud. I leave em off until the next outing but haven't noticed any improvement in mpg.
Later
dono

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Crawl 4 the Cure

Good grief that sounds like a lot of work for nothing. Leave them on, they are not that hard to clean off.

Of course the guys at the oil change place hate them because they have to clean out the oil they spill on them. At least it helps prevent any rust on the top of the skids.

Bill Tolle
04 Sahara
04 Liberty

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