Often times we are drawn to make modifications to our vehicles that set it apart from the masses and make a visual impact. These include light bars, bumpers, and lift kits, for example. Some upgrades are just as functional, but make less of a visual impact. Examples would be lower axle gears, locking differentials, and skid plates. Yes, skid plates are a smart investment to protect your drivetrain and suspension components, particularly if you spend time in the rocks. Owners of obscure vehicles are often left fabricating custom skid plates, but if you own a Jeep Wrangler JL or Wrangler JK you are in luck. There are a multitude of skid plate options to protect your Jeep from tip to tail.

Artec's Nighthawk sway bar skid plate is an easy upgrade to their Nighthawk front bumper. It is made in the USA from CNC laser cut and formed steel and includes all required hardware. Why not standard on the Nighthawk bumper? Only owners of Rubicon model Wranglers with electric sway bar actuators need this upgrade.

Sway Bar Actuator Skid Plate

Starting at the front of the vehicle, the first thing that you should protect is the actuator for your electric disconnecting sway bar if you have a Rubicon model. Skid plates are available from Artec, Poison Spyder, DV8, Fab Fours, and Addictive Desert Designs; and all cost far less than a new actuator. The actuator is a dealer-only part that cost well north of $1000.

Rubicon Express offers an oil pan skid plate crafted from 3/16-inch thick steel for JL Wranglers and JT Gladiators fitted with the 3.6L V6 engine. The high and tight mounting maximizes ground clearance and the skid plate uses CNC laser cut construction to bolt right on without issue.

Oil Pan Skid Plate

The oil pan on Jeep Wranglers is not the most vulnerable component since it sits right on top of the front axle, making it difficult for a rock or other object to damage the pan. This upgrade is more about risk versus reward. A hole in your oil pan could allow all of the oil to drain out, which is not only bad for the environment, but also bad for your engine. Rather than take the risk, an oil pan skid plate from ARB, Rubicon Express, or Westin can provide peace of mind at a reasonable price.

Rough Country's JL Skid Plate Armor Kit is made from 3/16-inch thick steel with recessed mounting points to ensure you never snag a bolt-head when crossing over tough terrain. This easy to install skid plate system features a 100% bolt-on installation process with no cutting or drilling required.

Transmission/Transfer Case Skid Plate

The first skid plate we recommend adding to your Jeep Wrangler is a transmission and transfer case skid plate. The rationale is that the transmission and transfer case housings are made of cast aluminum and an impact could break them, leaving you immobile on the trail. The likelihood of this happening is higher than some other components, such as your oil pan, because the transmission and transfer case sit between the front and rear tires, making it more likely that you come down off an obstacle and contact these components. There are a variety of transmission and transfer case skid plates available from Rubicon Express, Artec, Rough Country, and more. Look for features like recessed hardware that will not get caught up on obstacles and the ability to remove the skid plates without interference with the suspension or drivetrain.

Rubicon Express' gas tank skid plate is designed to fit right over your factory gas tank skid with easy bolt-on installation. The 3/16-inch thick steel is finished with a durable black powder coat finish and works with the factory suspension as well as Rubicon Express Long Arm and Short Arm Suspension Systems.

Gas Tank Skid Plate

From the Jeep CJs, when the fuel tank was moved out from under the driver's seat, through the TJ Wrangler, Jeeps had the fuel tank mounted in the rear of the chassis between the frame rails. With the advent of the JK Wrangler in 2007, the fuel tank was moved to the passenger side of the frame between the axles, and the muffler was moved to the rear of the chassis. This position makes the fuel tank more vulnerable, particularly with the longer wheelbase of four door Wrangler Unlimited. Fortunately, Rubicon Express offers a robust fuel tank skid plate made from 3/16-inch thick steel to slide over the toughest of obstacles.

Protect your JL's Muffler from off-road hazards with Rough Country's Muffler Skid Plate. This durable, 3/16-inch thick steel helps to protect your muffler from rocks, debris and anything else you might encounter on the trail.

Muffler Skid Plate

As noted above, with the introduction of the JK platform some of the components under the Wrangler changed location. These include the muffler, which is located in the back of the chassis between the frame rails. A muffler skid plate is not the first upgrade we would recommend, but if you are looking to armor your Jeep from front to rear you won't want to leave this off your list.

Rancho JL Rear Shock and Control Arm Skids are made from ¼-inch thick high strength, low alloy steel. These skids bolt on using the control arm and shock bolts and are designed to glide over obstacles and keep you moving down the trail.

Control Arm Skid Plates

Control arm skid plates are a little different than other skids for the drivetrain. They do provide a smooth surface to assist with sliding over obstacles, but they also reinforce the thin steel control arm mounts on factory axle housings. Rancho and Rough Country offer control arm skid plates that box in the mounts to provide an increase in strength in addition to impact protection.

Steel skid plates are strong and cost less than their aluminum counterparts, but they also can rust if they are not properly maintained. Using a flap disc to smooth out any gouges and touching up your skid plates with spray paint after hard use will help keep them looking new.

Steel Versus Aluminum

Steel is the most common material used for skid plates. It is affordable, easy to weld to, and offers great resistance to impacts and gouging, allowing your Jeep to slide over obstacles. Steel does have its downsides though. It weighs three times as much as aluminum, and steel can rust if it is not properly painted and maintained. Also consider that while steel weighs more, you typically need thicker aluminum skid plates (for instance, ¼-inch thick aluminum skid plates instead of 3/16-inch steel), which will negate some of the weight savings.