Finally the time has come and the pay check as large and steady. I've been building my modest LCOG setup for a few years now. I've recently retired my ole girl from a daily driver so I'm going all out. Topic of discussion...armor. I've done fenders, bumpers, diff guards, and crossmember. I have the metal on the way for 2x6 tube rockers/mini boat sides. For sake of argument lets take any sort of cage out of the equation (I have plans). Here are the common products/designs I want to hear and learn about:
1.Engine/tranny skid, Are the worth it? Does it makes repairs too difficult?
2.Control arm mount skids, they don't seem too popular. Just a waste of money?
3.Fuel tank skid. I've gotten by without one and no issues. Is it a good "just in case" mod?
4.Anybody running a full belly skid? I would love to design and fab one but I hesitate with the added weight and reduced ability to access the under carriage.

FYI: Trail riding is my thing, but rocks make me as giddy as a school girl. No more mud for me. I spend most of my trail time at Rausch Creek. I'm running a 3" short arm lift on 33's. I'm here to prove you don't need massive lift or tires to hang with the big dogs. My motto, Keep it low, Keep it slow, and expect damage.

I know its asking a lot at once but throw in your two cents and pics certainly welcome.

 

I was really hoping to see some sweet low cog build plans here. the term LCOG gets tossed around too much. you just have a small lift kit.

if you want to hang in the rocks with the big boys (I mean the real big boys) it's lockers, 3 link, very high clearance armor, flat belly, hi clearance steering, frame plates, and you'll probably need to ditch that D35

if you're moving toward fabrication, the secret is to raise everything up. control arm mounts, shock tabs, gas tank, tcase, bumpers, rockers, everything. flat, plated, and raised up. lift height plays a very small part in your rigs capabilities until you start nearing the 6.5" heights which are gonna start to feel tippy. you're just going to have to start going out and breaking stuff to figure out what you really need.

here are the things I will never go rock crawling without again:
rock sliders
diff covers
middle frame plates
tcase protection recommended
gas tank skid

anything else is optional until it breaks or dents or budget provides

 

LCA skids are worth the money cheap but save an adj. lca from damage stay away from the bolt on ones, don't ask about either I paid for both. A transfer case and fuel tank skids are a minimum along with rocker sliders IMHO I use 2x6x3/16" ones.

 

Yes, just yes lol I'm at 2" and 31" and I'm skidded front to back and the gas tank got used recently lol
Ill post a pic of it in a bit.
Also get frame stiffeners!!!! Get the thicker a tough like ruffstuff frame stiffeners, trust me they will get used.

 

This video shows where my uniframe just scrapes against a ledge going over, if I didn't have my frame stiffeners, it would have sucked.

Here's what happens when ya accidentally land on your gas skid and are high centered on it lol

 

things I recomend
suspenion make sure you arent runing stock uppers run lca skids
also check shock travel and brake line length.

vitals make sure that the gas tank is moved up and out of the way or armored. same with tcase. frame stiffners with rock sliders run a belly pan.

axel high steer trusses diff covers and pinnion guards relocate shocks higher on the rear axle.

 

If your thinking about going long arm look at http://www.tntcustoms.com/Jeep_Chero...n_Upgrade.aspx