JLU Diesel Aluminum Belly Skids
Now available for the JT Gladiator EcoDiesel here! Looking for our JLU gas belly skids? Click here.
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.
Product Details
We build these skids out of 1/4" thick 5052 Aluminum because of 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 fuel tank skid is required for install, netting you a 1/2" gain in ground clearance; in addition, you will lose the weight of the factory steel gas tank skid.
A removable access panel is featured below the fuel filter/water separator housing so maintenance doesn't require dropping the entire fuel tank skid plate.
We also designed these pieces to be easily modified for use with popular aftermarket suspension kits (such as the Rock Krawler and other similar Long Arm Suspension systems), larger axles, and multiple engine choices.
The skid system weighs approximately 117 lbs, however, you will be removing about 86 lbs of the factory skids and cross members, replaced by this setup -- for a total weight gain of just over 30 lbs.
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. It's the 3/8" thick black cutting board like material that can be optioned onto these skids; it is more abrasion resistant than carbon steel, and it's fairly lightweight. 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 pre-installed on the bottom of the aluminum skids. JLU 3.0 EcoDiesel UHMW kits weigh in at 29 lbs.
Additional Details
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 get the best product we can produce and 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!
Customer Reviews
Based on 7 reviews
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W
I loved the look of the NV skids and have had experience with UHMW on my Razor skids and that stuff is awesome. They were on my wishlist for quite some time and they went on sale so I pulled the trigger. They are not easy to install by yourself, highly recommend having a friend over when it comes to installing the fuel tank skid and do it with an empty tank. I had to modify the rear skid to accommodate my DEF tank 5” lift and it turned out awesome. I mounted two ViAir compressors in place of the second muffler to the DEF tank skid.
I am an overlander and pull an overland camp trailer and we went on a trip where there was a water crossing about 3’ deep and here is where my NV skids saved my day. There was a boulder about 2’ x 3’ that I encountered and when I hit it, it rolled the rock up on end when the front diff hit it and it smashed my engine skid all the way against the oil pan and that rock rolled all the way down my skids and out the back. What a ride! Then the trailer hit it and smashed my fresh water tank. It pretty much destroyed my engine skid, but I drove out the other side and there was no other damage to my Jeep! I cried seeing my beautiful skid plate all smashed up, but that is why I bought them, for the best protection out there and a smooth surface for rocks to side on. Thanks NV for saving my Jeep and keeping us on our adventure!
R
The quality is outstanding, and the fitment more so. Highly recommend to anyone looking for lightweight full underbody protection.
R
Well worth the wait due to unparalleled design and quality. I ordered with with the UHWM and glad I did. Super slick and not that heavy. Install was straight forward as I made sure fuel tank was near empty and used the temporary straps as recommended. Shipping was expensive but worth it as they use foam in place molded to each box (4 total) and there was not even a scratch on the product. You won't be disappointed!
J
Anyone not living under a rock should know by now that most companies cant get raw materials due to supply chain shortages (yes even those originating in the US). That said, It took some time to get my skids (4 mos and 3 days to the exact) and I had some initial issues with not having instructions, but NVMs corrected that quickly and now they are installed. Based on the quality I am sure that i am going to be very happy! Hats off to everyone from the engineers to the welders and packers....top notch product! FYI if you are living under a rock beware Im coming to test these out so just ignore the loud scraping sound(-:
L
The only reason for 4 stars is the online instruction link didn't give me much usable info. I struggled and spent close to 10 hours putting them on. Then i Spoke to dan @ nextventure and it sounds like they are updating instructions.
These things are stout and mounted to strong points. They come with all the hardware you need, and had no interference with any of my other mods! I can't wait to beat them on some rocks.
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.
