Hittin’ the Skids: A Comprehensive Guide to Jeep Skid Plates

Updated on Jan 11, 2024

While the adventures of off-roading and overlanding in your Jeep are enticing, winding up stranded on the trail surely isn’t! You may find yourself stuck for any number of reasons, ranging from debeading a tire or shearing an axle shaft to punching a hole straight through your oil pan, fuel tank, or radiator.

Luckily, there’s a widely-available aftermarket solution to the latter issue, enabling your Jeep to bounce, jounce, and rattle over sizable rocks, felled trees, and more! All without so much as a knick of your oil pan or scuff of the fuel tank; of course, we’re referring to skid plates!

In this article, we’re covering this popular aftermarket modification, including what they are, their purpose, conventional constructions, and everything that differentiates them from factory-installed belly pans. We guarantee by your next wheeling trip, you’ll be hittin’ the skids off every obstacle in sight!

What Are Skid Plates?

Ever since the first Jeepers bombed their leaf-sprung, skinny-tired CJs through treacherous trails for sport, the need arose for body protection; bashing fenders, grilles, and rocker panels is a sure-fire way to dampen an otherwise enjoyable hobby. Soon thereafter, we saw the emergence of heavy-duty bumpers, sliders, and–you guessed it–skid plates!

Skid plates are one of the more pertinent modifications to any off-road-centric rig; while they don’t guard against aesthetic damages to the body, they mount beneath the chassis to protect essential components, like the fuel tank, radiator, oil pan, and transmission pan, against impacts and abrasions, which could otherwise result in punctures and tears–not ideal when you’re miles away from civilization on a remote trail!

What Are Skid Plates Made Of?

Most skid plates are…just that, alloy plates engineered to skid across obstacles. As such, there are a few boxes they need to check for effective and reliable service. For starters, skid plates need to be tough enough to resist abrasions and impacts without puncturing, tearing, or warping, the latter of which could cause contact with the very components they're supposed to protect, resulting in damage or irritating rattles. Skid plates should also resist corrosion, considering they mount at the underside of the frame, exposed to moisture, road salt, etc.

To satisfy these needs, skid plates are typically constructed from heavy-duty, thick-gauge carbon steel with a corrosion-resistant coating, like powder coating or zinc plating. Alternatively, some manufacturers utilize stainless steel for added corrosion resistance or aluminum to shed excess weight; however, it’s tough to beat the value and durability of conventional steel.

Skid Plates Vs. Belly Pans

You may think, “My Jeep already has a plastic skid plate, and so does my car!” And while an understandable assumption, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Most vehicles within the last 30 years feature some sort of underbelly protection, whether in the form of molded plastic panels, fiberglass-reinforced sheeting, or fiber-reinforced rubber guards.

These shields, often referred to as “belly pans,” serve two primary purposes: firstly, they improve overall aerodynamics for increased fuel efficiency, and secondly, they guard against minor impacts with road debris; however, anything sizable or sharp will likely tear off or damage the belly pan.

Skid plates, on the other hand, are engineered exclusively for protection. These heavy-duty alloy plates shrug off even direct impacts from rocks and other sizable debris, keeping your Jeep’s underbelly safe and well-guarded.

Top Skid Plates

Skid plates come in several shapes and sizes, engineered to suit a wide variety of applications, ranging from differentials and transfer cases to fuel tanks and oil pans! While we’ll always recommend installing one of each, check out a few of our favorites.

Rugged Ridge Differential Skid Plates

Your Jeep’s factory stamped-steel differential cover is highly vulnerable to impacts and abrasions, resulting in dents, bends, and punctures, expelling fluid and introducing abrasive dirt and grime. To protect your front differential against direct impacts, consider investing in a premium differential skid plate, like the Rugged Ridge Differential Skid Plate!

This heavy-duty skid plate is manufactured from premium 3/16-inch steel for maximum strength and durability. For maximum longevity, Rugged Ridge applies a premium black powder coat finish, resisting scrapes, chips, chemicals, oil, and more!

Installation is quick and easy, featuring a simple bolt-on design that utilizes the differential cover mounting holes; no cutting, trimming, or drilling is required.

Features:

3/16-inch thick steel construction
Rugged black powder coat finish
Protects your Jeep's differential from hazardous terrain
Available with stamped Jeep logo
5-year warranty

Shop

Rugged Ridge Engine and Transmission Skid Plate

Your Jeep's powertrain is arguably its most valuable system, specifically the engine and transmission. These components rely on the lubrication and hydraulic pressures from oil and transmission fluid; it only takes a single puncture or tear of the engine oil pan or transmission pan to weep fluid which, if left unchecked, can result in irreparable mechanical damage.

Why risk the health of your powertrain on the trail? Instead, consider Rugged Ridge’s all-new Engine and Transmission Skid Plate, guarding against damaging impacts and abrasions. Featuring a rugged aluminum construction with integrated composite overlays, the Rugged Ridge Engine and Transmission Skid Plate is as robust as it is lightweight! The primary aluminum structure provides most of the skid plate’s durability, while the composite outer panels reduce surface friction, enabling your Jeep to slide over obstacles with ease.

Features:

Durable and versatile design
Exclusive Trail Armor Technology with a flexible composite overlay
Reduces surface resistance and enhances impact resistance
Easily replaceable composite exterior panels
Recessed mounting hardware reduces the risk of hang-ups
Convenient drop plate for easy access during maintenance
Unparalleled underbody protection for engine and transmission
Limited 5-year warranty

Shop

Rugged Ridge Gas Tank Skid Plate

Another integral component of your Jeep is the gas tank; after all, without gas, you’re not moving! Unfortunately, climbing a steep hill or dropping off a sharp ledge can cause the fuel tank to drag, resulting in a puncture, tear, and leak. To prevent fuel leaks and potential fire risks, guard your Jeep’s fuel tank with a premium gas tank skid plate from Rugged Ridge!

Features:

Custom-made for Jeep Wrangler models
Constructed from robust powder-coated steel with rust-resistant E-Coating
Designed to withstand the toughest trail conditions
Easy bolt-on installation using existing frame mounting locations
Seamlessly replaces the factory skid plate, offering genuine and reliable fuel tank protection
Backed by a 5-year warranty