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jeepmedic46 · **Posted:** Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:20 am

Looking for advice on whether I should start my build up wit sliders and skid plates, or a suspension lift?

bugnout · **Posted:** Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:36 am

I went with sliders and skids first then took my kj to Moab. I did pretty well without a lift and was very happy that I had invested in sliders. I saved my rockers many times. I couldn't do a lot of obstacles without a lift, but I could do a lot more than I thought I could.

Sport · **Posted:** Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:37 am

All are important but I think most people would say work on your under body protection first. I didn't though, I lifted first. :lol:

jeepkj02 · **Posted:** Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:39 am

Protection and recovery first, then lift & tires, then lockers.

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:51 am

No matter how much lift you put on, there will always be somthing big enough to break something under your KJ. Skids are best, I agree with the group.

jeepmedic46 · **Posted:** Wed Aug 06, 2008 1:51 pm

Which type of sliders and skids should I go with? Should I go with Mopar parts?

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Wed Aug 06, 2008 2:04 pm

No on both counts.

Use aftermarket parts for protection. The Mopar stuff is cosmetic at best.

DryBones · **Posted:** Wed Aug 06, 2008 2:27 pm

depends on what kind of offroading you will be doing and what your budget is like. better costs more, that's for sure. Mopar tow hooks work and stay away from brush guards.

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Wed Aug 06, 2008 2:35 pm

you will be better off with some aftermarket skids and rock rails but it is more expensive but well worth the money, then after you have all of that get yourself an OME lift for about $650

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Wed Aug 06, 2008 2:35 pm

Oops, good point about the tow hooks. (Those are actually built proplerly) You will need the Mopar Tow Hooks as a front recovery point until you get a all metal bumper.

Skids to protect the Engine / Transmission / TransferCase. Rocker rails (rock rails)

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Wed Aug 06, 2008 2:37 pm

and a skid for the gas tank, just incase :wink:

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Aug 06, 2008 2:45 pm

Just to make you more confused

1) tow points front and rear
2) skids; Mopar are fine for most wheeling unless you are going hard core from the get go. front, trans and transfer case, gas tank skid can be a little later but should be soon
3) rock rails
4) tires stock tires are only good for getting the Liberty home, upgrade them
5) lift after you get caught up on the first two

DO NOT GO OFFROAD WITHOUT THE FIRST TWO preferably the first THREE at least and then also good tires will take you way farther than the stock crapyears

Tom

jerbacher · **Posted:** Wed Aug 06, 2008 3:27 pm

in my opinion, the only Mopar skid that is a problem is the transmission skid. and its really weak. the others (front, t-case, gas tank) are fine.

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Wed Aug 06, 2008 3:42 pm

A single rock or log strike on the transmission skid could still dent your transmission pan. I would not use it.

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Wed Aug 06, 2008 3:57 pm

the Mopar skids work really well - until - you're at Moab - and even though they listed a hard and an easy trail - everyone else wants to go on the hard one - and 'they say 'the guidebook overrates everything - it's really easy except for 1 or 2 places and they have by passes' yeah - right - never listen to those people - although to be honest - nothing's leaking - I mean the fact that the skids now look like warped potato chips - is cosmetic right? right?

and All J's stopped making theirs and while searching I found a really nice picture of a bent Skid Row - so now I'm waiting for Rock Lizard to finish his design.....

Skids first - at least with the Mopar skids I got home - without them I'd still be looking for transmission parts

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:25 pm

I have used MOPAR skids and have been all over MOAB. In fact I used to go at least once per month in 2007. They have dents, but the MOPAR skids are going strong.

I have never agreed with the opionion that they suck and even less agreed that they were cosmetic.

Inc · **Posted:** Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:38 pm

JL Rockies wrote:

I have used MOPAR skids and have been all over MOAB. In fact I used to go at least once per month in 2007. They have dents, but the MOPAR skids are going strong.

I have never agreed with the opionion that they suck and even less agreed that they were cosmetic.

This is weird for me too. I have never come close to "potato chipping" my skids by Mopar and they seem pretty good compared to all the negative reviews on here. I know they may not be as strong as others out there, but if someone wants inexpensive skids and doesn't plan on running Moab or any other really heavy duty trails, the Mopar would be fine. As soon as I do trash mine I will replace them with something stronger but as far as I can tell, that is a long way off.

jeepmedic46 · **Posted:** Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:00 pm

Thank You, I just ordered a set of tow hooks, now I have to figure out where to mount them. I have a sport apparently the renegade has a different set of bumpers. Going to be putting on the arb deluxe bumper someday, and the rocklizard bumper in the rear. I was talking with a guy at the local speed shop who off roads with his wrangler and he has warn sliders that he swears by and he seems to do some pretty good wheeling. Are there any good companies for skid plates that you would recomend?

Dje Ryu · **Posted:** Wed Aug 06, 2008 9:20 pm

The hooks will come with directions (so do Mopar skids, btw... which I also use and have yet to put any real dents in). Once you look under your bumper behind the tow hook cut-outs, with those directions in hand, you'll know what to do. They're pretty simple.

As for recommendations for skids, I say Mopar (they're cost-effective). As for sliders, Rock Lizard Fabrications has the best design, imo.

bugnout · **Posted:** Wed Aug 06, 2008 9:45 pm

icefisher45 wrote:

Thank You, I just ordered a set of tow hooks, now I have to figure out where to mount them. I have a sport apparently the renegade has a different set of bumpers. Going to be putting on the arb deluxe bumper someday, and the rocklizard bumper in the rear. I was talking with a guy at the local speed shop who off roads with his wrangler and he has warn sliders that he swears by and he seems to do some pretty good wheeling. Are there any good companies for skid plates that you would recomend?

For Skids:
I'd go for the MOPAR ones- fairly cheap and decent amount of protection.
http://www.jeepinbyal.com has the Skid Row brand
I have stock skids with the exception of an All-J's tranny skid, but they are not available anymore. My tranny skid has taken the brunt of the beating.

for sliders
http://www.rocklizardfabrications.com
http://www.boulderbars.com
http://www.rocky-road.com/

There are others as well. [/url]

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