JEEP SKID PLATES - BUDGET JKU Skid Plate Review

Skid plates definitely DO NOT have to break the bank to protect your rig! Check out this review video and the facts below to understand….
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Smittybilt Skids: 3/16 steel plate
Other “high end” plates: 1/4 to 3/16
*****Rubicon Express Gas tank skid: 3/16 steel plate
Stock jk skid: 1/8 thick
Other “high end” plates: 3/16
****keep in mind the Rubicon express tank skid is the same thickness as the “high end” options but goes over the factory option which makes it EVEN Thicker!!!!****
Check out all the other things I have used with great results in the War Paint Amazon Store!
www.amazon.com...
Smittybilt JKU Engine/Transmission Skid:
www.amazon.com...
Smittybilt JKU Transfer Case Skid:
www.amazon.com...
Rubicon Express JK (2 door) Gas Tank Skid:
www.amazon.com...
Rubicon Express JKU (4 door) Gas Tank Skid:
www.amazon.com...

[@Crystal-jr7lp]

I just bought & installed all 3 skids for under $500. I agree with your logic, these are 3/16 steel. I noticed Smittybilt and Rubicon Express are owned by the same parent company.

[@StormbornJKU]

I totally agree with you man. I’ve got a rugged ridge skid for the oil pan to the crossmember, and a rubicon express gas tank skid. Still running the factory transfer case skid as I’ve barely hit it over the years. The thickness of each of my aftermarket skids is right up there with the big name brands, and they cost a fraction of the price. Once a year I pull them off and sand them down and spray paint them with rustoleum and keep it moving.

[@WarPaintOffroad]

Yeah man. It’s crazy how much they charge for the high end ones. I researched it before making this video. I knew mine were close to the thickness of the high end…but it turns out they are the exact same thickness.

[@TwoFeatherChannel]

repainting skids is same as repainting steel targets after I'm done shooting, I just spray on a new coat and targets are ready for next time out

[@WarPaintOffroad]

Definitely. Just prevents rust and keeps them in good shape. The only reason I mentioned it is because people like to say the expensive ones have a better coating…And they do. But no matter what the coating, they’ll scratch on a rock.

[@TwoFeatherChannel]

@@WarPaintOffroad yep and I hear some people complain about those expensive powder coating, how they chip and flake larger portions at impact spot than ordinary paint would

[@WarPaintOffroad]

Good point!

[@Jinx7red]

Just recently purchased the SB plates, will get the rubi express plates to fit. I am not planning on rock crawling, but I did bottom out more than a few times on the Naches trail even. 2018 JKU Willys. Great advice and also subbed.

[@WarPaintOffroad]

Thanks for the support. They’ll hold up great. I obviously wheel and it weights a lot with the big axles and tires…it handles the abuse great. You won’t have any issues.

[@victorybulldog4085]

I went with the Smitty tranmission skid, Rubicon Express Transfer Case, Gas tank, and Evap......don't froget the Evap canister. If you are adding skids you might as well add that one. It was the cheapest. I added mine after banging and smashing the bar Mopar calls a "transmission skid plate." That thing is a joke. I feel much better now.

[@WarPaintOffroad]

Awesome! I did the same. My EGR canister was relocated.but the skid is good

[@AustinH7]

I noticed the smittybilt engine/trans skid in steel is 54 pounds and the quadratec engine/trans skid in aluminum is 46 pounds. Not that much weight is saved in my opinion for the money you spend for the Quadratec skid

[@WarPaintOffroad]

I agree. Aluminum is definitely lighter. The only way for it to make a big difference is to spend all the cash and do bumpers and everything in aluminum. But even then it’s only a couple hundred pounds or so. Doesn’t make much sense to me.

[@sagoodman988]

Hey Dan, getting ready to FINALLY put my skids on my JKU. Quick question, does the factory gas tank skid have to remain installed? Mine is rotted out and was planning to remove it when mounting the new gas tank skid. Thanks for the great videos and knowledge!

[@WarPaintOffroad]

They Scott! Thanks for the support! I’m glad you asked. So it depends on the gas tank skid you buy. The factory “skid” is what holds the gas tank up. Some aftermarket skids replace it. The one in this video bolts to the factory skid to offer more protection but wouldn’t be able to be installed if you removed the factory one first. I hope that helps.

[@Apflawda]

Great video. But video audio needs some work. Music you are playing is waaay too loud!

[@WarPaintOffroad]

Strange. That might be the device you are playing it on. It’s pretty even on my end. I also haven’t heard that from anyone else. I even just rewatched it on my end…I didn’t experience that. Might be an internet connection thing?

[@stevevets]

What's the difference between the Rubicon Express 1015 and 1016

[@WarPaintOffroad]

Great question. The 1015 is for a 2 door. The 1016 is for a 4 door. The 2 door has a smaller gas tank. So the skid plate isn’t as long.