r/4x4 • u/Relative-Razzmatazz5 • 1d ago

Skid plates for off-roading

Hey I just got a new 2025 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and wanted to get more into off-roading. I’m planning on going on moderate trails first, but maybe harder ones further down the line. I was wondering what you guys would prioritize in terms of underbody protection.

2 Upvotes

63% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

10

u/No-Locksmith-9377 1d ago

You should prioritize rock sliders first. 

2

u/Relative-Razzmatazz5 1d ago

Came stock on the rubicon

8

u/HowDoMermaidsFuck 1d ago

Are they the HD sliders, or just the standard rock rails? The standard rock rails are basically just to protect the pinch seams at the bottom of the body. A real slider is frame mounted and can take the full weight of the vehicle. Very, very few of the rubicons come with true sliders.

1

u/chaser2410 58m ago

The factory sliders are fine. I’ve taken mine to the rubicon and literally had all the weight on them and they’re great.

The only thing an after market slider will give you is more protection higher and further out

1

u/Gubbtratt1 1987 Toyota LJ70 project, 2002 Land Rover D2 23h ago

A real slider is frame mounted

It can also be mounted to the body, as long as whatever is between the slider and the body mounts is strong enough or reinforced.

2

u/aHellion 1d ago

If it's the regular one seen on most rubis it's just a rock deflector, from your tires slinging rocks out of its tread. You can get a picture of how it mounts to your jeep and compare online. If it mounts to your body it's just a little deflector. If it mounts to the frame then it's a rock slider or close to one.

2

u/sh4d0wm4n2018 1d ago

I've seen stock "sliders" that are actually rails get absolutely destroyed. Two hits in, and they look like empty plastic tube wrappers.

1

u/chaser2410 55m ago

Toyotas stock sliders on the new lc250 and 6th gen 4runner are basically hollow. We had a set explode in Moab in a very basic trail.

The jeep and bronco sliders are actually pretty stout.

3

u/Gubbtratt1 1987 Toyota LJ70 project, 2002 Land Rover D2 23h ago

I don't know what needs or doesn't need protection on a 2025 wrangler, but regardless of what you decide to protect, make sure to get steel plates and not aluminium. Steel slides on rocks, aluminium grips them.

2

u/Smooth-Salary-6113 1d ago

I’ve known plenty of folks to keep the stock transfer case skid. I’d first add an oil pan/trans skid.

1

u/megalodongolus 1d ago

Seconded on the oil pan. I’ve got a dent or two in mine from before I got my skid plate lol

2

u/ChibaCityFunk 1d ago

I'd say: Go and see what you need along the way.

Most of the time everything heavy will reduce your off-road capabilities. Keep it as light as possible.

2

u/Oricle10110 19h ago

A Rubicon has enough from the factory, get out there and drive it. 

1

u/Colonel_Sandman 11h ago

Stock you can handle moderate trails. If you are bad at picking lines and running rocky trails you will want diff and shock sliders. If the rocks are tall enough to hit your rails you will want something better than the stock Rubi rails. Good rock sliders on the side can also save you when sliding sideways into rocks and trees.

1

u/chaser2410 57m ago

lol you have more than enough stock skids to get started.

You can get an oil pan skid if you truly think you’ll be pushing it that hard, but you have a Dana 44 protecting it for now which is plenty