I am having a very hard time deciding on which skids I want to go with. I am looking at the JCR and the RockHard4x4 skids. Right now I'm looking at just the engine/oil skid (including exhaust loop skid if I go with the JCR).

I know there are other systems out there, but these are the two I am looking at. A couple of things I have considered when looking at these two units.

1. The JCR offers the exhaust loop skids and RH4x4 does not. RH4x4 says they don't due to heat concerns. Thoughts?

2. The RH4x4 has the dome washers to help protect the bolt heads and JCR has exposed bolt heads. Don't know that that is a very big deal or not. Is it?

3. Could order the dome washers from RH4x4 and use them with the JCR. Any thought son this?

4. JCR has an opening for access to the oil drain plug. RH4x4 has a cover that can be removed, so you have a full plate without an opening. Thoughts on this...matter...doesn't matter?

5. RH4x4 comes with a shim plate and offers another one for an additional costs to help with installation in cases where the exhaust cross over pipe hangs lower. For example, when you have exhaust spacers installed. As far as I know, JCR does not and may have to use washers. Thoughts?

Again, these are the two I have narrowed it down to so I am just looking for comments, thoughts, opinions, reviews, etc. on these two manu. skids. Thanks.

 

I have the JCR skids but my JKU is an 09 so no exhaust loop.

I'm not too concerned about the bolt heads because I don't rock crawl.

Both times I changed oil I had a mess because the oil does not all stay center of the hole. I think my access hole is also off centered some. I will put a funnel in there next time to catch it.

 

I'm a little biased in my answer since I'm in Michigan, they are a Michigan company, and I'm pretty much going all JCR with my new jeep. I've already got front bumper on, rear bumper came this week, engine skid is on order, and buy hammer will be swinging on a set of their new sliders very soon - they are a great company, great people, and make great products.

That being said, none of the above actually answers any of your questions, lol - but I did want to throw in one caveat with JCR; they typically build to order, and the wait time is often 4-6 weeks. Worth the wait, if your willing to wait.

I've ordered from RH4x4 before in the past for my last jeep, and things usually came pretty quickly - I do not know if that is still the expectation as of late though. Its been a few years.

Now to throw my 1.5 cents in on your questions -

1. Yes there is a lot of heat coming off the exhaust, but I'm not sure how/why this would be an issue under a skid? Aside from using a powder coat or other heat resistant coating for the skid.

2. Dome washers might offer a little bit of extra protection, but a direct hit from a rock is still going to take its toll. Its nice, but I wouldn't consider it a must have.

3. I don't see why not! I almost want to reference finish washers from a hardware store here, but don't think they'd hold up very long, lol.

4. I do like the idea of the oil hole cover... though conversely, it would take a jagged point of a rock to hit just right to catch in the open hole and become an issue. Again, nice to have, but not sure if its a must have feature.

5. Not sure on 5, not familiar enough with either skid and their clearances in regards to the crossover pipe. I'd like the idea of using a shim plate as opposed to offsetting with washers though.

 

I've got the rock hard skid and I like it. Changing the oil is still somewhat of a mess. Install was pretty easy. The dome washers are pretty thick seem pretty stout. To be honest I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

 

I beat the crap out of my Jeep in the rocks and my skids are held in with hex bolts. Maybe had a couple that I decided to replace last time I pulled the skid, but honestly they were fine. I wouldn't think twice about the washers if you go another route.

You should skid the loop and crossover. If there is no ventilation, add some. Don't bother replacing the t-case skid. The stock one is perfectly fine.

I know you are stuck on the two choices, but this is one time where I will actually give the nod to EVO for those who are budget minded and not dropping $1500 on the Artec system. For less than $400, you protect the oil pan, trans, exhaust loop, exhaust crossover AND most importantly, the transmission crossmember! Literally every time I wheel with someone who didn't skit the trans crossmember, they dent and bend it. Last time I was out, the Jeep that bent the crossmember had a auto trans that wouldn't shift into 3 different gears. So, if you are determined not to skid it, then at the very least buy an HD trans crossmember. The EVO stuff also has vents built in (which is also there to allow water and debris to wash out).

When it comes to skids, I don't care who makes them. It is a question of if they do the job that needs to be done.

 

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1. I call B.S. on that one. If there were heat concern with the exhaust and skid plates then companies wouldn't have the engine skid cover the crossover pipe. The exhaust loop is exposed and I can see getting caught on a rock.
2. Washer are a nice addition. The crossmember is going to take the most hits.
3. They are not cheap.
4. Don't see a reason to choose one over the other with this one.
5. Don't know.

I will add a few things.

6. JCR can be purchased unpainted making them a lot cheaper.
7. In the pictures it looks like the HR engine skid offers more coverage.
8. In the pictures it looks like the JCR transfer cae skid offers more coverage.

 

I am in the same position in deciding between those 2 systems. I have JCR bumpers and sliders but will probably wind up with the RockHard skids in aluminum for weight savings....

 

Up until this comment, I was pretty set on RH for oil pan/tranny skid. Now I'm going to have to look into Evo... Unless I'm missing something, I don't see any reason why I'd choose RH over Evo just based on this bit of information.

 

I had the evo system and beat the hell out of it. I swapped to the rock hard plate because I didn't like the way the evo crossover plate mounted into the control arm bracket.

 

I went for aluminum also to save weight but I chose tnt customs.