I'm looking at doing some light to moderate off-roading in my XJ. I've got 31" tires and a 3" suspension lift, but no aftermarket skid plates or armor. I'm looking at plates for the gas tank and rear axle, but I'm unsure what REALLY needs protection from light trailing, without spending $1,000 just in armor. What would be the main components that I should protect when off-roading?

Cheapest way would be junk yards. I see them all of the time on junk XJ's. I am thinking the Grand Cherokee gas tank and front skids fit our xj's a little bit of modification.

My next welding project will be adding some metal and angle Iron on to my factory Plates and Diff Covers to beef them up substantially.

I would start with the gas tank and transfer case. Those are both places that can use protection, and both plates can be found for cheap at the junk yard.

I agree fuel tank and TC skid then rocker panel skids nothing fancy even 2x4" or 2x6x3/8" rectangular steel ones work well. Sometimes these are hard to find in JY's in my area anyway yours may be different, they are lightweight one though. These are the 3 I would start with that is "IF" you already have good recovery points (D-Ring type) front and rear these are very important and should be at the top of your list before armor.


If you don't have any use a Class IV receiver hitch with nut strips and a receiver with a d-ring adapter hole in it. For the front several kits can be bought that are strong and mount properly to the frame rails.

Yeah fuel tank and t case armor are a must to me.Cheapest gas tank skid is http://www.tomken.com/detail.php?id=109 cheapest t case skid i know of is http://www.rocky-road.com/xj-transfe...kid-plate.html And cheap diff kinda protection http://www.rocky-road.com/xjrockguard.html

You state "light to moderate" off-roading so you may not need armor at all, but a gas tank skid would be a really good idea. I think my tank skid is factory and it's taken a beating. I've also bent the crossmember pretty badly as well as hitting/bending control arms and mounts, body parts, trailer connector shield, etc. Mine's nearly stock height and I take it to somewhat ridiculous extremes, often with a full passenger and cargo load, you may not experience issues.