what's next?
this product has been discontinued.
our next generation skids are here!
the page below will remain here for support & reference documents.
this product has been discontinued.
our next generation skids are here!
this page will remain here for support & reference documents. Need help? Give us a call!
JLU Aluminum Belly Skids
This page is specifically for 2.0 Turbo 4 cylinder JLU Models. We also offer skids for 3.6 V6 JLU Models, Factory 392 Hemi JLU Models, and 3.0 EcoDiesel JLU Models.
Want to be ready for any trail, any time? Skid plates provide advanced protection for your JL's most critical components -- your engine, transmission, transfer case, DEF tank, and fuel tank -- while you're tackling tough terrain, technical obstacles, and of course for the ride home.
When you're looking to save weight, given the added protection these skids offer over factory pieces, full belly skids become the largest piece of real estate to consider on or under your Jeep.
You can find out more about the features of our skid system, and how it installs in this video!
Product Details
We build these skids out of 1/4" thick 5052 Aluminum for its superior formability and strength -- compared to many other alloys. The design and shape of the skids largely determine how rigid they will stay over time. We've designed these belly skids to tuck bolt heads up and out of the way, where possible (as can be seen on the rear crossmember and fuel tank skids).
Removal of the factory gas tank skid is required and nets you a 3/4" gain in ground clearance; in addition, you also lose the weight of the factory steel gas tank skid and some of the other steel underbody protection that is replaced with this system. The weight of our system is 104 lbs (110 lbs with the optional e-torque skid) however the total weight gain is offset by the removal of the factory steel gas tank skid etc as mentioned above.
We also designed these pieces with compatibility in mind for popular aftermarket suspension kits (such as the Rock Krawler Long Arm Suspension with minimal modifications required), larger axles, and multiple engine choices (such as the Hemi 6.4 seen in some of these photos.)
UHMW - The Ultra High Molecular Weight Option
Want to make these skid plates slippery and even more impact-resistant? Select the UHMW Option! UHMW stands for Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethelene.
It's the 3/8" thick black cutting board like material that can be optioned onto these skids; it is more abrasion resistance than carbon steel, and it's fairly light weight. It helps to better distribute and absorb impacts, and keep you sliding along rather than getting stuck or hanging up on an obstacle since it's slippery and self lubricating. If you select this option, the UHMW will come included in your skid systems packaging ready to bolt on to each skid.
uhmw faq
will the uhmw hardware damage the fuel tank?
No: The UHMW panels are secured to the 1/4" aluminum skid using small nylock jamnuts. Countersunk bolts of very specific lengths are used to avoid excessive threads on the backside (top) of the skid. We also provide rubber snap on covers to provide additional protection to prevent wear on the fuel tanks!
jl/jt belly skid FAQs
A 1.5" lift (or just 1.5" bump stop extensions on the front) is recommended for clearance to the motor mounting brackets on 3.6 V6 JL models from 2018-2020. JT 3.6 V6 and JL 3.6 V6 model year 2021 and newer can typically be run without any lift or bumpstop extensions.
No lift or bump stop extension is required for the 2.0 I4 engine, 4xE, Diesel or 392, however we do suggest cycling your suspension and testing your bump stops each time you make a change to the configuration of your vehicle.
These belly skids will work with Rock Krawler*, EVO, and Teraflex** Long Arm kits with minor modifications.
*Please note that the Rock Krawler "Rockzilla" kit is an entirely different animal from the conventional long arm kits and requires deletion of the factory fuel tank and replaces it with a custom fuel cell. Our skid system is not compatible with this, however we are working on skids that will work for this!
**Teraflex long arm kits do require slight modification to the fuel tank skid as this suspension kit relocates the rear lower control arms underneath the frame rail where the fuel tank skid would otherwise interfere -- 5 minutes with a cutoff wheel prior to installation resolves this issue.
Yes; however you will have to remove your belly skids if they are already installed in order to place the UHMW onto your bare metal system. We carry special washers to fill the previously countersunk aluminum areas of the skid that are required before installing the UHMW. Contact us for more details!
Additional Details
The skids shown in some images are pre-production units; production units shipping now have countersunk bolts that mount flush on the bottom-most surface of the skids.
*If you completed an engine swap on your JLU, please contact us before ordering so we can get everything right! 2 Door Skids Are Now Available As Well!
Products are designed and fabricated to fit vehicles that have varying tolerances from the factory, minor hand fitting may be required.
Products are shipped bare metal unless otherwise specified by the customer. Bare metal products may have scratches or surface imperfections as a result of raw material handling, manufacturing, and fabrication. However, these imperfections are easily covered up with a textured powder coat finish. Additional finishing, sanding, and prep work may be required if you wish to also have them finished with a smooth powder coat or paint.
Projected lead times are estimates only, and are subject to changes due to production realities, including material and labor availability and sudden variability in order volume. Lead times are not guaranteed, but we do guarantee that we are hard at work trying to produce the best product we can and get it into our customers’ hands as quickly as possible.
All Next Venture Motorsports products are laser cut, CNC formed, and hand-weld with pride in the USA. We are a Colorado-based business, and welcome visitors by appointment at our Grand Junction, CO headquarters. We hope to see you out there on the trail soon!
Why next venture?
parts inspired by the trail
Our team got into the game after rock crawling, wrenching, fabricating and being inspired to design and build parts for what we love to do: hit the trail.
what our customers are saying
★★★★★After this go around with Moab and Holy cross, the diff skids did their job and protected my Jeep. My rear aluminum bumper performed phenomenally on the trail!
Rennato Lopez
Colorado Springs, CO
★★★★★Can’t say enough about Dan and his ultra skilled team! Dan was able to get us in for a skidplate with UHMW & sliders for our JKUR. The fit, finish and quality are just out of this world! Can you say “stacked dimes”? Absolutely gorgeous welds…
Lance Wende
Montrose, CO
★★★★★2 years later I'm writing this review. I've beaten the crap out of this thing hitting rocks, winching, draging it down obstacles, and now exposed to the Florida elements. The bumper looks like it did the day they sent it. You will not find a better company to work with that cares about their clients and their products!
Kelly Colwell
Panama City, FL
★★★★★My rear Next Venture diff skid takes a beating! Best rear diff skid available. Well done!
Lee Bower
★★★★★Without a doubt, Next Venture Motorsports is my first stop for epic Jeep parts. Their JL aluminum front and rear featherweight bumpers are solidly built, easy enough to install, and crafted to perfection. I can't wait for more products for my 2 door JL!
Michael Collette
Kimberly, WI
★★★★★They invited me and my whole crew in for a tour of the facility on our way to Moab. These guys not only produce amazing armor for your Jeep, they are really good people. So, I’ve been running their rear diff skid for 9 months and it has easily held up to everything I’ve thrown at it.
Gary Swogger
Felton, DE
