Skid Plate Rubicon Difference

[Don Bulee]

Hello,

I was checking videos and web pages for skid plates for my Rubicon 06, and I saw that they are different from mine so I was wondering.... are the rubicon skid plates any different from the other TJs? because I see a 6 bolts pattern in the skid plates that everybody sells (barnes, RC, etc) and mine has an 8 bolts pattern with a bit of protection in the front part of the skid plate (see in the picture) what I'm understanding (please help) is that if I go that route and order a barnes skid plate I would be reducing the protection in the below part of my rig (grab a screenshot from their video on youtube).... is that right?

Ps. My pumps have been relocated, no issue there.. the BL, MML, and all the tummy tuck stuff has been installed... just wondering about the skid plates....

Ps2. if I get one, I think Barnes would be the one that I got, unless I figure it out how to DIY one and be cheaper...

 

[jjvw]

You are seeing the difference between the 97-02 skid plate and the 03-06 skid plate. Rubicon has nothing to do with it except that Jeep charged all 03-06 TJs to the later skid to accommodate the Rubicon.

 

[Don Bulee]

You are seeing the difference between the 97-02 skid plate and the 03-06 skid plate. Rubicon has nothing to do with it except that Jeep charged all 03-06 TJs to the later skid to accommodate the Rubicon.

but the after market skid plates that I've seen only covers the 6 bolts area, not the extra oil pan area.... aren't they like... less protective than the OEM one? I understand that they are reinforced and better steel... but... less area covered.... aren't they?

 

[jjvw]

but the after market skid plates that I've seen only covers the 6 bolts area, not the extra oil pan area.... aren't they like... less protective than the OEM one? I understand that they are reinforced and better steel... but... less area covered.... aren't they?

The factory front skid is for the automatic transmission. Still not a Rubicon specific thing.

 

[Alex01]

The oil pan skid is a separate piece. The skid on your jeep is actually a trans skid.

Check out savvy or UCF oil pan skids. UCF also makes minor tucks for the transfer case like Barnes.

 

[Don Bulee]

The factory front skid is for the automatic transmission. Still not a Rubicon specific thing.

okay! not a rubi thing... but again... since the skid plates that I've seen are only covering the 6 bolts area.... and not the other 2 section (auto trans) if I get one of those skid plates, am I not getting less coverage under the jeep..?

 

[jjvw]

okay! not a rubi thing... but again... since the skid plates that I've seen are only covering the 6 bolts area.... and not the other 2 section (auto trans) if I get one of those skid plates, am I not getting less coverage under the jeep..?

My Rubicon didn't come with that front skid. If you want the protection up front, then you need to reuse the pics you have or get an aftermarket engine skid. There are many to choose from. I like aluminum.

 

[IPerkWVU]

You definitely want something protecting the oil pan at a minimum. Full engine skids like UCF do that and protect the trans and connect to the transfer case skid