Topic: Skid Plate Throwdown

[jeeper78]

I'm working on a budget (LOW BUDGET) to fit my 97 TJ with some sacrificial steel for the underside and I'd like to hear from others who have tried theirs out. Personally I'm leaning towards pieces from Rusty's, Skid Row(local) and Tomken, but all opinions are welcome.
In this search I'm looking for the following:

Gas tank skid
Steering skid
Oil pan/tranny skid
Control Arm skid
Radiator skid
Diff skids (front and back)

Keep in mind that I'm looking for low budget pieces, but that doesn't mean I'll sacrifice function for cost!!

Also interested in hearing about anything belly up related -- (home brewed and aftermarket) that will work with a 2 inch suspension  lift and no slip yoke eliminator.

Yes. I could go through a few years worth of JP magazine and 4 wheel and offroad articles( and read the opinions they're getting paid to print) and I could also listen to a bunch of mall crawling punks on jeep forum, but I'd rather hear about real world experience -- from 4 bangers who actually use their jeeps!!

[Bounty Hunter]

I don't know what skids are going for these days, but I will add that I wouldn't bother trying a belly-up without installing a SYE.  You will gain a lot of ground clearance with a belly-up but your driveshaft is likely already at its travel limits.

[aw12345]

for the tank skid use the savvy one it's not terribly expensive it will grow with your Jeep
front control arm mount skids are very easy to make so home brew is the way to go
Belly up you can make yourself or take your pick for something different try the Nth degree diffskid/rear stinger and belly up combo. Some people swear by that setup and should be available again through AEV. An other place for some quality stuff is Rockmen
rear diff skid is not all that hard to make either.
For an oilpan skid, I don't care for the rusty's one it hangs way to low. I made my own and have been very happy with it, has held up very well with some serious rock abuse

[FourbangerYJ]

I'm working on a budget (LOW BUDGET) to fit my 97 TJ with some sacrificial steel for the underside and I'd like to hear from others who have tried theirs out. Personally I'm leaning towards pieces from Rusty's, Skid Row(local) and Tomken, but all opinions are welcome.
In this search I'm looking for the following:
Gas tank skid X2 on the Savvy
Steering skid There are many on the market shop around
Oil pan/tranny skid I LOVE my skidrow (YJ)
Control Arm skid If you can make your own it's cheap and easy
Radiator skidI don't think this is really needed
Diff skids (front and back)Buy a HD diff cover don't put a skid on
Keep in mind that I'm looking for low budget pieces, but that doesn't mean I'll sacrifice function for cost!!

You did not mention rocker gaurds. There are alot on the market, shop around for a deal. Most are made from 3/16. Or you can make your own using angle iron
.http://4bangerjp.com/forums/index.php/topic,7716.0.html
Here is a belly up in the for sale section

[jeeper78]

You did not mention rocker gaurds. There are alot on the market, shop around for a deal. Most are made from 3/16. Or you can make your own using angle iron

I already installed a set of Rugged Ridge rockers/step so the g/f can get in. Not the best, but for the money I couldn't complain. (The rockers are good too  )

[jeeper78]

I don't know what skids are going for these days, but I will add that I wouldn't bother trying a belly-up without installing a SYE.  You will gain a lot of ground clearance with a belly-up but your driveshaft is likely already at its travel limits.

I'm not too concerned with getting a belly up at the moment, but If someone had a good in depth write up about a homemade one, then I would definitely go that route. With the money saved from doing the belly up myself, I would be able to buy the AA SYE.

Basically I want to hear from people about what they have and the pro's and con's of the product. (Poorly designed, Easy install, great protection, things of that nature.)

[jeeper78]

For an oilpan skid, I don't care for the rusty's one it hangs way to low. I made my own and have been very happy with it, has held up very well with some serious rock abuse

Hey AW, I was wondering if you had any pics of your homemade oil pan skid, you may inspire me to make my own.

[chrisfranklin]

I have 4x Doctors diff guards and gas tank skid.  Gas tank skid hasn't seen any use.  The diff guards have been fine and I haven't noticed any negatives with them on trails like Rubicon.  Also used a Skid Row Oil Pan skid plate on the Rubicon that got banged up hard but worked (its clearance isn't ideal and smaller tires like 31's don't help, but I'm pretty sure it saved my oil pan on a couple of occasions on that trail and was a good investment.   

[Bounty Hunter]

I made my own oilpan skid that mounts easily to the bellhousing:

[chrisfranklin]

And I added Shrockworks rockers designed for TJs.  Those saw some use on the Rubicon just like the Skid Row Oil skid.   

[aw12345]

Here goes this thing goes from the engine all the way to the bellyup and will support the entire weight of the Jeep. Has taken a good banging and works very well.
Has a frame made out off angle iron with a 1/4 thick 6160 t6 aluminum plate on it









Here it is doing what it's supposed to be doing and I did drive off that marble



And one more of the belly of the little beast

[neale_rs]

I made my own oilpan skid that mounts easily to the bellhousing:

Cool.  I did something similar.  I'm pretty happy with it and it would have prevented the oil pan damage my Jeep has just fine.

[jeeper78]

Here goes this thing goes from the engine all the way to the bellyup and will support the entire weight of the Jeep. Has taken a good banging and works very well.
Has a frame made out off angle iron with a 1/4 thick 6160 t6 aluminum plate on it









Here it is doing what it's supposed to be doing and I did drive off that marble



And one more of the belly of the little beast

Now that looks like a really beefy design. I like it    Where did you attach the two front mounts to? And is the rear just bolted to the stock mudshovel or is it bolted to the tranny?

[jeeper78]

Cool.  I did something similar.  I'm pretty happy with it and it would have prevented the oil pan damage my Jeep has just fine.

I made my own oilpan skid that mounts easily to the bellhousing:

Those both kinda look like the Rock-it oil pan skid. Nice designs as well. 1/4 inch steel I'm guessing?
Seeing as how they're not attached anywhere in the front wouldn't that be problematic if you were to get high centered on the skid?

[aw12345]

The front legs are made of 1" thick wall square tubing and bolt to the motor mount brackets of the frame pretty much like all the 6 cyl setups. The rear bolts to the terra low belly up and helps stiffen it the frame is 1 1/2" angle iron