I have noticed that most folks are not running the large front skidplate on their jeeps. I am not a hardcore rock crawler, but see my share of trails. So I am wondering if I should toss the front skidplate or leave it on.

 

Partial hijack for similar question if you don't mind...

Should I put my splash guard back on after I'm done messing around under there? Its all busted up and crusty.

 

HYRYSC- No, but if you do I'll take it off your hands


OldLaredo- No, that **** just gets in the way. They are Jeep, sometimes they get thirsty and need a drink out of a big *** puddle

 

None of mine have skidplates, better off without them imo.

 

Until you bend the **** out of your tie rod. Theres a reason people pay out the *** for them, they protect your rig. And allow you to slide off **** easier

 

A tie-rod is cheaper than a skid plate. I've never had one, never been able to afford one and, luckily, I have never needed one yet. If I did things where I would need one, I would save up and buy one. No splash guard either. I took mine off because it was easier to work on stuff without it and it didn't do that much to keep stuff out of the engine bay.

 

I've ripped skidplates off, including the gas tank skid on my 90 XJ. I'd rather spend my money getting parts out of the way of obstacles. For example, I moved my gas tank, and I'm going to high steering, to get the tie rod up out of the way.

 

I have no skids on my jeep front one doesnt fit do to axle swap. gas tank is now around 13gals and havent built a tcase skid into my custom crossmember.
my opinion a good spotter and nowing your rig will be better than a skid plate any day. but if I had armor that would work I would have it for that one miss step.

 

I love this forum.

 

When you ripped it off what did it do to the gas tank?

 

i ran it for a while but my jeeps to high for it to really make a difference now. id say theyre usefull up to 3'' of lift

 

Destroyed that gas tank. Crushed it in, put a hole in it, I had to get towed off the trail. That wasn't a great day of wheeling. I now have a 15 gallon tank that I haven't even put a dent in yet, because of how I mounted it. My bumper and leaf springs get hit before my gas tank does.
As far as the front of my Jeep goes, I've hit the axle on rocks, and got hung up on the axle in ruts, but I haven't hit the tie rod on anything yet.

 

After I pulled mine off to do my alternator in became scrap metal . More in the way then woth the time to remove/install. IMOP

 

tell that to the dents in my oil pan, crossmember, and frame rails.