I found an '89 with a factory front skid plate in the junkyard the other day so I grabbed it, figured I could resell it and make a couple bucks, but now I'm debating about keeping it. Looks like it would help protect the tie rod and drag link on a stock height XJ, however I'm planning to lift mine about 4", so those will angle down below where the skid covers. Is it worth keeping or should I let it go to someone with a stock height Cherokee?

 

having looked into the same thing, most people say after 3 inches of lift it no longer is in position to protect anything, on stock or 2 inches of lift it is still good to go.

 

That's kind of what I figured, guess I'll sell it. How much do these usually go for?

 

They do offer some splash protection and look cool for bigger lifts.

 

Huh... you might be on to something with the splash protection. Personally seeing a front skid always makes me think I'm looking at an IFS Toyota though. I kinda prefer seeing a nice solid axle on a lifted XJ.

Love your sig BTW, I totally get it... got a gas tank skid off the same XJ which I'll be keeping and found another XJ with a lift on it. Hopefully I can go back and snag that the next couple days.

 

On a lifted jeep it does not work as well for protecting the lower suspension parts, but will help keep water/other stuff away from your pulleys/belt. IF you got it, use it.

 

Is the stock gas tank skid worth having? I am sitting on 4.5" lift w/ 31" tires. But there are a lot of rocks where I am going. I guess I'm wondering if its worth pulling from the junk yard.

 

I've heard good things about the OEM gas tank skid, I'd say if you can get it for a good price, go for it. I grabbed a gas tank skid off the same XJ that I got the front skid from, gonna keep it and sell the front one.