Best Skid Plates

[Kuhn]

I'm seriously worried about busting stuff under my Wrangler. I have a habbit of rolling over stuff a bit too fast and slamming the underbody on all sorts of stuff. I've been looking at the warn oil, gas tank, steering box, transfer case, and diff. skid plates. (Side note: What axle does the stock '02 Wrangler X have?) I'm sure this couldn't hurt, but what about building some sort of subframe? Has anybody built a subframe with some tubing and 3/8'' steel plating that covered pretty much everything? I'd like to bullet proof my wrangler before the summer. Thanks

[Ray H]

Originally Posted by Kuhn

I'm seriously worried about busting stuff under my Wrangler. I have a habbit of rolling over stuff a bit too fast and slamming the underbody on all sorts of stuff. I've been looking at the warn oil, gas tank, steering box, transfer case, and diff. skid plates. (Side note: What axle does the stock '02 Wrangler X have?) I'm sure this couldn't hurt, but what about building some sort of subframe? Has anybody built a subframe with some tubing and 3/8'' steel plating that covered pretty much everything? I'd like to bullet proof my wrangler before the summer. Thanks

Youll have to do an internet search for Wrangler skid plates. There are so many companies that offer them that its crazy and none of them stand out as having the best of everything. I dont know of anyone with a "subframe" though.
From front to rear, a fully protected TJ would have steering box skid, front diff skid, lower control arm skids, engine oil pan skid, auto tranny skid, t-case skid, rock rails, rear diff skid, fuel tank skid.
What comes on a standard TJ is a t-case skid and fuel tank skid. The stock t-case skid, which is actually the main crossmember where the tranny mounts, will generally hold up well to abuse. Must people keep those, although there are companies that offer "belly up" versions that give a couple inches more clearance underneath.
The stock fuel tank skid isnt much to brag about. It does well at keeping things from poking holes in the plastic tank but is thin and deforms easily.
Its hard to say which skid is more important. I think most people start out with a set of rock rails. There are two schools of thought on getting rock rails before other skids, one says the rockers are the most vulnerable part, the other says you can bang on the rockers all day and still drive home, unlike a transmission or oil pan.
The next most common aftermarket skid is probably either a gas tank skid and the oil pan skid. Most oil pan skids protect both the engine and auto tranny pans.
The steering box skid is pretty popular also. Ive never had a problem avoiding hitting a steering box as its easy to tell exactly where its at, directly in front of you. None the less, for playing in the rocks, its not a bad idea to have one.
The hardcore guys used to laugh at people with diff skids "if you dont know where your diffs are, you shouldnt be on the trail", but theyve become very popular in the last 5 or 6 years. Theyve made the diffs useful to slide over stuff, not just something to avoid hitting.
Lower control arm skids. They will keep you from bending/breaking or crushing your lower control arm mounts. Jeep used the thinnest possible metal for lower control arm brackets the they could find. Lower control arm skids add some beef to these mounts. There are two different types, bolt on and weld on. They both work, get what you want.
BTW your Jeep has a Dana 30 front axle and a Dana 35 rear axle.

[Kuhn]

Very helpful. Thanks! I'm going to a customs shop that my friend owns tomorrow. I'll ask him about the subframe idea. I fully admit that I am new to off roading... I just went from a lowered '98 eclipse to a lifted Wrangler. I want this thing to be indestructable so I can learn with it. I'll update this if I get any useful info.