Product Description
Next Venture Motorsports Aluminum Belly Skid (Gladiator JT 2020+)
Want to be ready for any trail, any time? Skid plates provide advanced protection for your JT's most critical components -- your engine, transmission, transfer case, 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. Similar steel skid plates can increase weight by as much as 150 lbs over the factory skids; whereas aluminum belly skids net only a 10-20 lb increase in weight as 86 lbs of factory skid plate material is removed during installation.
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 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.
An access panel can be removed separately for servicing the water separator and fuel filter assembly without removing any of the large skid plate components.
We also designed these pieces to be compatible with popular aftermarket suspension kits (such as the Rock Krawler and other similar Long Arm Suspension systems), larger axles, and multiple engine choices.
Kit Includes:
- One (1) belly skid system
- Necessary hardware
- 1/4" 5052 aluminum construction
- Removal of the fuel tank skid is required
- Compatible with aftermarket suspension kits
- Available in UHMW- Ultra High Molecular Weight
- Made in the USA
Notes:
** THIS ITEM IS MADE TO ORDER. PLEASE ALLOW A LEAD TIME OF 3-5 WEEKS FOR PRODUCTION AND SHIPPING DEPENDING ON DEMAND. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US PRIOR TO ORDERING FOR A CHECK ON INVENTORY.
*** UHMW- 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. JT 3.0 EcoDiesel UHMW kits weigh in at 30 lbs.
**** 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.
