Protect Your Jeep with Rancho rockGEAR
Undercarriage Protection
From seatbelts to airbags, you take steps to protect yourself every time you climb behind the wheel of your vehicle. The exterior of your Jeep Wrangler or Gladiator needs similar protection – especially if you spend time on the trail. There is no shortage of hazards that you may encounter when you take your Jeep on the trail. Control arms, shocks, differentials and oil pans are all parts that can be damaged by fallen trees, rocks, mud or other obstacles. Protect the body of your vehicle with skid plates and differential covers that shield important components from damage.
What Are Skid Plates?
An effective way to protect the undercarriage of your Jeep, skid plates bolt directly to components that can be damaged during a day on the trail. Protecting these key parts can not only help you avoid a breakdown, but they may also spare you from costly repairs. Skid plates are available for individual components to safeguard parts like the gas tank, oil pan, transfer box and differentials. Another option is to put a full-body skid plate on your rig. Offering protection from the oil pan to the gas tank, a full-body skid covers the exposed components under your vehicle.
Do Skid Plates Come Standard On My Jeep?
Some Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator models come from the factory with skid plates covering certain parts. Factory skid plates provide the bare minimum when it comes to protection and may be adequate for a daily driver where your biggest concern is dodging potholes on the way to work. However, if you like to go off-roading or rock crawling, you may consider upgrading to something that can handle the rigors of the trail.
What Are Skid Plates Made Of?
Skid plates are typically made of steel or aluminum. Each material has distinct characteristics appropriate for different situations. Steel skid plates are typically stronger and more durable than stock skid plates and are ideal for the conditions you may encounter on the trail. Aluminum is another popular material used in skid plates. Aluminum comes in various grades, so when choosing skid plates for trail use be sure look for high-strength aluminum. Avoid lightweight aluminum that doesn’t have the strength to handle the punishment of the trail.What Parts Should I Protect?
When deciding which parts to protect, look under your Jeep and take note of the lowest hanging items. Consider covering those parts and any that contain fluid. If you can’t buy everything on your wish list at once, consider starting with products that’ll help you avoid expensive damage to crucial drivetrain parts. Once you have the drivetrain components covered, turn your attention to parts that if damaged could end your day on the trail.
Rancho® rockGEAR®
Before you hit the trail, protect your Jeep with rockGEAR from Rancho. Protective products from rockGEAR are made of durable materials to handle the severe off-road conditions found on the trail. Rancho has rockGEAR for the Jeep Wrangler JL, Jeep Wrangler JK, Jeep Wrangler TJ/LJ and Jeep Gladiator JT.
Differential Glide Plate – Rancho rockGEAR offers front and rear differential glide plates for Jeep Wrangler JK and JL Dana 44 and Gladiator JT. Made from 0.25-in. high-strength steel with a durable red powder-coated finish, they deliver a smoother glide over obstacles.
Rear Shock Skids – Prevent damage to the rear shocks with Rancho rockGEAR rear shock skids. Made from 0.25-in. high-strength, low-alloy steel, rockGEAR rear shock skids glide over obstacles and keep you moving down the trail. Easy to install with exclusive mounting tab attachment design and includes both driver’s and passenger side skids.
Differential Cover – Designed to shield your differential from direct contact in severe off-road conditions, the Rancho rockGEAR differential cover is manufactured from high-strength nodular iron for added axle and internal gear protection. With ribbed external construction for added strength, it also features an off-set, oversized fill plug for increased fluid capacity and easier/quicker filling.
Front Track Bar Support Bracket – Reinforce the front side track bar on a Jeep Wrangler JL or Gladiator JT with the Rancho rockGEAR track bar support bracket. This heavy-duty bracket reduces the threat of a failed OE bracket on lifted vehicles or those with larger than stock tires. Made from high-strength, low-alloy steel, this bracket features a durable powder-coat finish and comes with all necessary hardware for easy installation.
| Part Number | Part Name | Application |
| RS62124 | Front Differential Glide Plate | Jeep Wrangler JL – Dana 30 |
| RS62116 | Front Differential Glide Plate | Jeep Wrangler JL/Gladiator JT – Dana 44 |
| RS62117* | Rear Differential Glide Plate | Jeep Wrangler JL – Dana 44 |
| RS62138* | Rear Differential Glide Plate | Jeep Wrangler JL/Gladiator JT – Dana 44 |
| RS6212 | Front Differential Glide Plate | Jeep Wrangler JK – Dana 44 |
| RS6242 | Rear Differential Glide Plate | Jeep Wrangler JK – Dana 44 |
| RS62137 | Rear Shock Skids | Jeep Gladiator JT |
| RS62125 | Rear Shock and Control Arm Skids | Jeep Wrangler JL |
| RS62135 | Rear Shock and Control Arm Skids | Jeep Wrangler JK |
| RS62119 | Front Differential Cover | Jeep Wrangler JL/Gladiator JT – Dana 44 |
| RS62120 | Rear Differential Cover | Jeep Wrangler JL/Gladiator JT – Dana 44 |
| RS6209 | Differential Cover | Jeep Wrangler TJ/JK - Dana 44 |
| RS62133 | Front Track Bar Support Bracket | Jeep Wrangler JL/Jeep Gladiator JT |
*RS62117 will be superseded by RS62138.
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The content in this article is for informational purposes only. You should consult with a certified technician or mechanic if you have questions relating to any of the topics covered herein. Tenneco will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on any content.