Jeep Armor and Protection Guide
Quick Answer
Every rock, stump, and trail obstacle is a potential threat to your Jeep undercarriage, body panels, and drivetrain components. Proper armor turns expensive damage into a minor scrape. This guide covers the essential protection upgrades from belly skid plates to rocker panel armor.
Installation Overview
Difficulty
Estimated Time
4-8 hours
Install Cost (Pro)
$400-$2500
Tools Needed
9 items
In This Guide
Skid Plates: Protecting Your Underbelly
The underside of your Jeep houses the engine oil pan, transmission, transfer case, fuel tank, and exhaust. A direct rock hit to any of these components can leave you stranded on the trail with a catastrophic fluid leak. Skid plates bolt underneath the vehicle to shield these components. The most critical skid plates are the engine/transmission skid (protects the oil pan and transmission housing), the transfer case skid (protects the T-case and crossmember), and the fuel tank skid (protects the fuel tank from puncture). Stock Jeep Wranglers come with lightweight plastic skid plates that provide minimal protection. Aftermarket steel or aluminum skid plates are 3-6mm thick and designed to slide over rocks rather than catch on them. Full underbody skid plate systems cover everything from the front bumper to the rear bumper, creating a smooth glide surface that reduces the chance of getting hung up on obstacles.
Shop Skid Plates: ProtectingRock Sliders and Rocker Guards
The rocker panels (the body panels below the doors) are the lowest point of the Jeep body and the most frequently damaged area during off-road driving. Stock rocker panels are thin stamped steel that dents and tears easily on rocks. Rock sliders replace or cover the rocker panels with thick-wall steel tube or plate that protects the body and also serves as a step for getting in and out of lifted Jeeps. There are two main designs: bolt-on sliders that attach to the frame using factory mounting points, and weld-on sliders that are permanently welded to the frame for maximum strength. Bolt-on sliders are more popular because they can be installed at home and do not require a welder. Tube-style rock sliders use round or DOM tube and are lighter. Plate-style or trail armor sliders use flat steel plate for maximum surface area and sliding capability over rocks.
Fender Flares for Larger Tires
When you install larger tires on a Jeep, they often extend beyond the stock fenders, which is both aesthetically unfinished and potentially illegal in some states (tires must not extend past the fender in many jurisdictions). Aftermarket fender flares solve this by widening the fender opening to cover larger tires. Flat-style flares provide minimal coverage with a clean, modern look. They are popular on JK and JL Wranglers because they replace the stock flares without adding bulk. Pocket-style flares (the riveted or bolted look) add aggressive styling with wider coverage for extreme offsets. High-clearance or tube fenders completely replace the stock fenders with minimalist tube steel designs that provide maximum tire clearance and approach angle but leave the inner fender exposed to mud and debris.
Shop Fender Flares forDifferential Covers and Guards
The differential housings on Dana 30, 35, and 44 axles sit low on the axle tubes and are exposed to rock impacts. A stock differential cover is thin stamped steel that can crack or puncture on a hard hit, draining the gear oil and destroying the differential gears. Heavy-duty differential covers are cast from thick aluminum or machined from billet steel, providing significantly more impact resistance. Some designs include fins for improved gear oil cooling and a drain plug for easier maintenance. Differential guards (also called diff skids) are separate steel plates that bolt over the differential cover to take the impact instead of the cover itself. They are available for both front and rear axles and are one of the most cost-effective protection upgrades for any off-road Jeep.
Corner Guards and Body Armor
Corner guards protect the rear quarter panels, which are impossible to unbolt and replace because they are welded into the body structure. A dent or tear in a quarter panel requires expensive body work or panel replacement. Bolt-on corner guards cover the most vulnerable area with thick steel and also add a mounting point for additional lighting or recovery points. Full body armor kits include corner guards, rocker guards, cowl guards (to protect the windshield frame area), and sometimes A-pillar guards. These are primarily designed for Jeeps that regularly navigate tight trails with dense vegetation and rocky obstacles. For overlanding and expedition-style builds, consider adding front and rear fender armor, windshield protection bars, and a full-length roof rack that doubles as rollover protection.
Installation Steps
Difficulty: 2/5 | Time: 4-8 hours
Tools Required
- 1
Remove factory splash guards and skid plates
Lift the vehicle and secure on jack stands. Spray all factory skid plate and splash guard bolts with penetrating oil and let soak 15 minutes. Remove the factory plastic belly pan and any factory skid plates. Clean the frame mounting points with a wire brush to remove rust and dirt. Keep the factory hardware — some aftermarket skid plates reuse factory bolt locations.
- 2
Install engine and transmission skid plate
Position the engine/transmission skid plate under the vehicle and align with the factory mounting holes. Most aftermarket skid plates use the same bolt pattern as the factory parts. Start all bolts hand-tight before torquing to the manufacturer specification. Verify the skid plate does not contact the oil pan, exhaust, or any moving components. Check for adequate clearance around the front driveshaft.
- 3
Install transfer case skid plate
Slide the transfer case skid plate into position behind the transmission skid. Align mounting holes with the frame crossmember. Install and torque all bolts per the manufacturer instructions. Ensure the skid plate sits flush against the frame rails with no gaps that could catch on rocks. Verify the rear driveshaft has full range of motion without contact.
- 4
Install rock sliders
Remove the factory pinch weld covers or plastic rocker trim. Position the rock slider against the frame and body mount locations. Bolt-on sliders typically use 4-6 mounting points per side. Start with the front mount, align the slider level, then install remaining bolts. Torque all mounting hardware to specification with thread locker. Verify the slider does not interfere with door opening or closing.
- 5
Install fender flares
Remove factory fender flares by unscrewing the mounting clips and bolts along the fender edge. Clean the fender lip area of dirt and old adhesive. Position new flares and mark any additional holes that need to be drilled. Drill pilot holes, install mounting hardware, and secure flares. Most aftermarket flares include rubber gaskets or foam tape to prevent vibration and water intrusion between the flare and body panel.
- 6
Install differential covers and guards
Drain the differential fluid by removing the factory cover bolts starting from the top. Clean the axle housing mating surface with a scraper and solvent. Apply a thin bead of RTV silicone to the new heavy-duty cover, position it, and install bolts in a star pattern. Torque to the manufacturer specification. Refill with the correct weight gear oil (75W-140 synthetic is common for Dana 44). Install diff guards over the new covers if your kit includes them.
- 7
Final inspection and test
Lower the vehicle and perform a visual inspection of all armor components. Check that all bolts are tight, no components interfere with steering or suspension travel, and all panels sit flush. Drive over a speed bump or uneven terrain to listen for rattles or contact. Re-torque all bolts after 100 miles of driving as they may settle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What skid plates do I need for off-roading?
At minimum, an engine/transmission skid and a fuel tank skid. For serious trail use, add a transfer case skid and a full belly pan. Steel is stronger and cheaper. Aluminum is lighter but more expensive.
Are rock sliders necessary?
If you drive any trail with rocks, roots, or ruts that can contact the rocker panels, rock sliders pay for themselves the first time they save a body panel. They also serve as convenient steps for entering and exiting lifted Jeeps.
Steel or aluminum armor — which is better?
Steel is stronger, heavier, and cheaper. Aluminum is lighter (40-50% weight savings) and does not rust, but costs more and deforms more on impact. For most trail Jeeps, steel is the practical choice. For weight-sensitive overlanding builds, aluminum is worth the premium.
More Guides
The Complete Jeep Wrangler Lift Kit Guide
The definitive guide to choosing the right lift kit for your Jeep Wrangler. Whether you want a 2" leveling kit for sligh...
Jeep Bumper Buying Guide: Front and Rear
Aftermarket bumpers are one of the most popular and impactful upgrades for any Jeep. They improve protection, approach a...
Jeep Lighting Upgrade Guide: Complete Setup
Poor lighting is one of the biggest complaints from Jeep owners, especially those who hit the trails after dark. This gu...
Jeep Recovery Gear Guide: Essential Equipment for Off-Road
Getting stuck is not a question of if, but when. Every Jeep that leaves pavement needs proper recovery equipment. This g...
Jeep Wheel and Tire Buying Guide
Wheels and tires are the foundation of your Jeep build. The right combination improves off-road traction, on-road handli...
Jeep Performance Upgrades Guide
Performance upgrades help your Jeep recover the power lost to heavier modifications and unlock capability that the facto...