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Best XJ Under Armor Options

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Old 08-14-2014, 10:46 PM
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Default Best XJ Under Armor Options

So I'm in the middle of a build and my next phase will be protection of vital parts under the vehicle.

This build is not an extreme rock crawler, it will never have more than 1 inch of lift, it will see offroad trails and old mining roads rough enough to need traction devices both front and rear for security.

So

I just purchased a pair of Rusty's Rocker guards...

Now I need advice for

Engine & Tranny
Gas Tank
Transfer Case

Or any other area that members think I should be protecting.
Old 08-14-2014, 11:54 PM
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If you're seeing rocks at all definitely get a gas tank skid. You'll hit it without even knowing it. Other than that, you'll scrape the tcase a bit. Best option is a belly pan. Next best is a long arm cross member that has a tcase skid. Third best option is to run the stock cross member with some plates welded to it and clock your tcase up. No floor cutting required. Very easy to do with the IRO jig

That's all I run tho. Gas tank, rock slider, and clocked tcase. You'll be hard pressed to hit the transmission
Old 08-15-2014, 12:06 AM
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I've been looking at gas tank skids from stock to aftermarket. Not sure which to go with, I'm also checking out belly skids, any particular recommendations for gas tank and belly protection?

Rusty's has a gas tank skid for $219 and a transfer case guard for $129 and an upgraded transfer case cross member for another $129

Last edited by Jrozar; 08-15-2014 at 12:09 AM.
Old 08-15-2014, 02:19 AM
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Build a custom 3/16 solid one piece bumper to bumper! Rock rails, that skid and frame stiffeners, my dream.
Old 08-15-2014, 06:09 AM
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I have a stock front skid you can pick them from junkyards. A warn tcase skid, I have hit it plenty of times. Enough to make me glad I spent a little over 100$ on it. Also a tomken has tank skid. All fairly cheap and great quality parts. You might want to think about some diff protection too. I made my own but new covers are only about 120 a pop
Old 08-15-2014, 08:38 AM
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I found a factory gas tank skid plated new online for $149 but would it need any extra hardware to mount it?
Old 08-15-2014, 10:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Jrozar
I found a factory gas tank skid plated new online for $149 but would it need any extra hardware to mount it?
That's super expensive for that tiny little cute factory gas tank skid. Do yourself a favor and get a real one.

And you will need nutstrips and hardware if you do not have a trailer hitch
Old 08-15-2014, 10:49 AM
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Gas tank skid prices

Tomken $182
Rusty's $219
Rocky Road $264
JCR $290

Has anyone run the Tomken or Rusty's?
Old 08-15-2014, 11:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Jrozar
Gas tank skid prices

Tomken $182
Rusty's $219
Rocky Road $264
JCR $290

Has anyone run the Tomken or Rusty's?
Wow, I was lucky mine came with one. But hit the Junkyard and go find one. $20 at u pull it.
Old 08-15-2014, 11:36 PM
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Ok I scored a Tomken gas tank skid for $135, long story I bought a gift certificate off someone for a tompken gas tank skid plate.

Now I'm torn between

Rusty's engine, transmission & transfer case guards

TnT Customs belly pan skidplate

DPG belly skid.....

I bought a set of Solid Axle Industries differential covers for F&R diffs.
Old 08-16-2014, 03:36 AM
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don't worry about an engine or transmission skid.
Old 08-16-2014, 08:32 AM
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With that being said, what would you get for the transfer case?

Originally Posted by Atmos
don't worry about an engine or transmission skid.
Old 08-16-2014, 01:22 PM
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serious offroad long arm crossmember is super sweet looking. I love T&T's belly pan

but I recommend clocking the tcase up with IRO clocking jig, plating your factory crossmember, and building a skid off the back of that temporarily. it's cheap and it works. other than that, I don't really know about many aftermarket options
Old 08-16-2014, 01:44 PM
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I was going to recommend a ZJ gas tank skid. I got mine for 40 bucks. But I see you already got the Tomken.
Old 08-16-2014, 02:35 PM
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I pulled the trigger on a jcr transfer case guard.


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