Review on 🚙 Rugged Ridge 18003.51 Skid Plate for Engine and Transmission, Compatible with 2012-2018 Jeep Wrangler JK/JKU by Daniel Revlon

I called Rugged Ridge and they told me this skid plate would fit a 2012 Wrangler, although it would be best with some metal removal and modifications. I think Rugged Ridge just wanted to make a few quick changes to their existing 2007-2011 Wrangler product without spending a lot of money, drilled a few new holes and said they fit. As a retired engineer with a PhD, the designer left out a few things that would make this skid plate problematic for 2012 Wrangler setups. More than 70,000 2010 Wranglers were recalled due to grass, branches, etc. catching under the skid plate and snagging on it. Fire because the skid plate also covered the catalytic converter. I think (not sure) that Jeep removed the skid plate under the engine and transmission on some models like the 2012 Wrangler and Wrangler Sport due to fire hazards and liability limitations. More skid plates are becoming available for new Wranglers and this is one of the best as it only connects to the frame and not the engine. A lot of people complain about vibration from the engine coupler in a jeep when they have to install a skid plate and add rubber isolation to reduce but not eliminate the vibration. While this is the best skid plate I've researched, it still has a major problem as it covers the 2012 exhaust pipe that runs from the driver's side to the passenger's side just before the transfer case crossover that connects this skid plate. . Every skid plate I've seen for a 2012 Wrangler engine/transmission covers this exhaust, which is why they all have this problem. I think there are two modifications that minimize the risk of fire damage. The easiest solution, but not the best, is to cut slots in that skid plate where the exhaust pipe runs, to allow dirt to be removed and heat to be drawn out of the exhaust pipe. I think the best solution is to remove about 6 inches from the end that attaches to the transfer case crossover and some other metal and bend a little to shape the skid plate to attach to the front crossover will and will not cover the exhaust pipe. general. This involves figuring out how to insert a couple of screws into the front crossover to hold the back of the skid plate securely in place. I called Rugged Ridge and mentioned these issues and their techs were unaware of the fire hazard and were unaware that the skid plate was covering the exhaust and was only a few inches from the skid plate. PROS: 1) This is the only skid plate I know of that fits a 2012 Wrangler that only attaches to the frame members and is therefore isolated from engine vibration associated with other Jeep skid plates. Issues with the passenger side mount (see cons). DISADVANTAGES: 1) There is a risk of fire as the protective plate covers the exhaust pipe. My old 4x4 had to remove the skid plate to change the oil, and I often found dry grass and twigs stuck between the skid plate and the oil pan after driving through the Arizona desert. To eliminate this risk I removed about 7 inches of the skid plate from the back, then drilled and taped the foremost crossover and screwed through the top of the crossover (or otherwise) so the rear end could be the skid plate appropriate. to the frame without blocking the exhaust pipe. 2) The passenger side mounting bracket needed to be replaced as it could contact the transmission coolant line feed block and the solution is to pry the coolant line feed away from the bracket - easier said than done and it could become damaged Think Rugged Ridge would have change the position of the bracket or bracket so it wasn't in close proximity to the cooling line. You could have installed the bracket on the other side of the engine mounting bolt, but it would probably have cost money to change the existing design on earlier Wranglers. Bracket for attaching the engine to the frame. I tried using a shorter screw with the same thread size but that didn't work and I had to buy a shorter screw with a smaller head to get the screw through the motor mount. which offer some protection but also make the Wrangler stiffer to minimize jeep roll and sway. They're there for a reason, and Rugged Ridge says you can take it off and put the front crossover back on the 18003.51 skid plate if you like. I couldn't reattach the front crossover on top and that was the main reason I decided as I needed a skid plate that I simply modified it by removing a lot of the metal and using the front crossover as the attachment point. This allows the jeep to have the same sway and roll rigidity and the exhaust pipe will not be blocked. It was probably a money problem when trying to come up with a skid plate that required the fewest modifications, but this is a poorly designed skid plate for a 2012 Wrangler. from strength. But trying to keep it in place, even with a jack, is not easy by bolting it on. This would be a great skid plate if it was aluminum. 6) I called Rugged Ridge and asked the technicians questions about the installation and if I could take better photos as they are having trouble understanding the instructions. try to direct the installer to do. The technician called the designer and gave me answers like "yes I forgot to mention that in the instructions" and yes they will send me better photos and the designer will call me back but he was out of town . Well I never got pics and never got a call back.