MetalCloak UnderCloak Integrated Armor System - First Look & Install

MetalCloak UnderCloak Integrated Armor System - First Look & Install - JEEP JKU

Рет қаралды 8,209

3 жыл бұрын

Have you abused the factory skid plates in your Jeep JKU, JLU or JT? Well MetalCloak has you covered! I have been hitting the rocks in my JKU and it is time to get some more adequate undercarriage protection!
I am not sponsored by nor am I being paid by MetalCloak for this Unboxing, First Impression, & Install.
In this video I will be unboxing the MetalCloak UnderCloak System, Removing the factory crossmember and transfer case skid plate. I will be showing how I was able to suspend an empty gas tank to drop the gas tank skid plate to pound out the dents before installing the UnderCloak system over it. Go step by step of the installation of the UnderCloak System and wrap up with my first impressions of the product and the installation.
Since a trip to Reiter Trails ORV with Kelly from MuddyBeards4x4 back in the summer, I got really high centered and my Engine Oil Pan was sitting on a rock... Fortunately it only kissed it and only left a scratch but from then on I knew that I needed to get a full undercarriage system for my JKU.
I had been patiently researching different systems and tracking sales of the products in the past. Coming up on Labor Day I made the decision to go with MetalCloaks UnderCloak Integrated Armor System
There were several factors that lead me to this system.
1) Price - Coming in at $1500 MSRP with 10% off for Labor Day making it $1350 including Tax and Shipping
2) Replacement HD Crossmember Included, not an extra cost (necessary for me since my factory one was bashed up!)
3) Already coated for protection, no need to invest the time or money to paint it or have it coated
4) Skid Guard Washer and All Hardware Included and ready to bolt in (with a few holes to be drilled and nutserts to install)
For my Jeep JKU I required something that would sufficiently protect the undercarriage and eliminate that terribly designed rock catcher... If you have gone out in the rocks in you JK or JKU you know the spot I am talking about! That nicely designed void after the factory crossmember and before the rear tube of the transfer case skid plate and between the gas tank skid plate and the transfer case skid plate.
The install was pretty straight forward with detailed instructions available online. It was a tad tricky to install by ones self but I have a few tricks up my sleeve to make it easier!
I intended to get this video up before my trip to Reiter over the weekend but I was not able to finish it up in time. But I can report that the MetalCloak UnderCloak System did not disappoint and I dropped hard on some rocks, pulled myself over several more, and I walked away with just minor scratches and a couple little dings!
Link to MetalCloaks website: metalcloak.com/
I hope you enjoy my video and find value in the content. Please leave me comments, questions, or feedback! I appreciate it!
We are VictorVectorJKU taking on this build and the trails with both Direction and Magnitude!
Thanks for watching!

Пікірлер: 38

@gillafunk 8 ай бұрын

Good video. Thanks for the effort.

@VictorVectorJKU 6 ай бұрын

Thanks for checking out my video Gillafunk!

@jeepinwithjulia Жыл бұрын

Another item I am getting :D I think I may have my mechanic install this system though. A little out of my skill set.

@VictorVectorJKU Жыл бұрын

It’s definitely a solid skid plate system! Better install than a lot of others out there!

@kevingremillion8010 3 жыл бұрын

Nice video. Going to install mine this weekend, weather permitting thanks to Hurricane Delta.

@VictorVectorJKU 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Kevin! And awesome! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for good weather this weekend so you can get your install done!

@powerstrokeeld 3 ай бұрын

Pop over to jeep jk no bs a fb and we need to hit the trails soon.

@VictorVectorJKU 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for checking out my video Powerstrokeeld! I’ll have to check it out!

@jimmiealldredge1939 2 жыл бұрын

Was surprised my metric impact socket set didn't have a 16mm! Did the math 5/8th!

@VictorVectorJKU 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for checking out my video Jimmie! That is a very good point a lot of wrench and socket sets don’t include a 16mm for some reason even tho this is a common size in automotive… but glad you figured it out!!

@NarleyAdventures Жыл бұрын

👍👍👍👍👍, Excellent install video !

@VictorVectorJKU Жыл бұрын

Thank you Narley! I appreciate you checking out my video!

@NarleyAdventures Жыл бұрын

@@VictorVectorJKU I'm sure to be watching other of your vlogs, a lot of good information to be had.

@VictorVectorJKU Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I hope you get value out of my other videos! I try to provide insight and value during my videos!

@RogueMech Жыл бұрын

This video helped a TON with the UnderCloak installation. Thanks!

@VictorVectorJKU Жыл бұрын

Hey there MotoBlaze, thanks for commenting and letting me know! I am super happy my video helped you out! Comments like this are what motivates me to make them, so I appreciate it a lot!

@kj7lvl744 3 жыл бұрын

I remember when we tested these plates and now I’m putting in my own set. Thanks for the video Victor!

@VictorVectorJKU 3 жыл бұрын

Yeah that was a good day out at Reiter!! And awesome to hear, I hope the install goes smooth for you!

@davidchelemedos9257 2 жыл бұрын

I am in the process of installing the Undercloak system now on my JK. This didn't come with any instructions so your video is super helpful, not to mention the only undercloak installation video I have found. I didn't realize you are near Woodinville, that's awesome, I am in S. Everett.

@VictorVectorJKU 2 жыл бұрын

Hey there David, thanks for checking out my video! That is strange that there were not instructions included or available online, I do not recall where I obtained mine from. But I am glad that my video was able to give you what you needed to do your install! exactly the reason why I started the channel! And yeah, that is cool you are so close! Maybe one of these days we will cross paths on the trail!

@NotICON 3 жыл бұрын

This was one of the best and most important upgrades that I have done to my Jeep. After 3 years of abuse they are no longer pretty though, but they sure have held up to some extreme abuse.

@VictorVectorJKU 3 жыл бұрын

Yeah I definitely agree with you there NotICON! With the abuse my undercarriage has seen the past 8 months it is a well deserved upgrade!

@NotICON 3 жыл бұрын

@@VictorVectorJKU I'm in a 4 door so I drag over everything. The skid plates will give you a lot more peace of mind when going over rocks.

@VictorVectorJKU 3 жыл бұрын

NotICON oh yeah! I have been too and I didn’t bat an eye at the rocks this past weekend 😅 lots of scratches and a couple minor bends but it did it’s job very well!

@joebrown2699 2 жыл бұрын

Great install video. How is armor holding up? Any issues with the weight?

@VictorVectorJKU 2 жыл бұрын

Hey there Joe, thanks for checking out my video! Honestly the armor has held up great! There are two areas I have seen damage and had to straighten and one of which I added a reinforcement. These are also due to taking my Jeep through obstacles that are likely beyond my Jeep’s ideal capabilities but I like the challenge! The brace is at the back of the transfer case skid plate and bridges from the skid plate to the top of rail crossmember directly above it. Where the box portion ends near the frame rail it started to crack from many hard hits so the reinforcement prevents that bending and further cracking. The other location is the engine skid plate just in front of the transmission. crossmember. I have smacked this one many times as well and cause it to bend up a decent bit. As for the weight, yes it is heavy, it likely impacts my fuel mileage but I can’t really quantify either since I haven’t noticed much difference in fuel mileage or performance since adding it. It was a tad slower initially but I forgot that long ago. I would definitely recommend this system if it is still market competitive like it was when I purchased it!

@ShortStackJK2015 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome video, great details and points to be aware of. I just moved down to Las Vegas last year, but grew up, got married, and raised my daughter not far from Woodinville. Wheeled Ritters many times. Evans Creek, etc. Loved seeing this one not far from my old stomping grounds. Nice Job!!!

@VictorVectorJKU 2 жыл бұрын

Hey there David, thanks for checking out my video! That’s awesome to hear you were a local and have been to many of the spots up here! I always dig putting together content that is helpful to others so thanks a lot for the compliments!

@blucid 2 жыл бұрын

Very nice video, amazing detail, information and tips. Keep up the good work.

@VictorVectorJKU 2 жыл бұрын

Hey there Denis, thanks for checking out my video and I appreciate the compliments! I will do my best!

@jimmiealldredge1939 2 жыл бұрын

Was thinking about the order of stuff done in this upgrade. Probably should make step 1: give someone a $100 to scrub and blast dried mud and sand from the under carriage. Step 2: spend 12 hours on you tube.

@VictorVectorJKU 2 жыл бұрын

Oh yeah definitely want to clean as much before you get started to prevent getting tons of dust and dirt in you face, mouth and eyes! And nothing wrong with getting a visual of the process before jumping into it yourself!

@annmariepinkerton3345 3 ай бұрын

Awesome video, it will be running while we install this today on my JK! Can we talk about the boot on your driveshaft? Did you ever replace it?

@VictorVectorJKU 3 ай бұрын

Hey there Annmarie, thanks for checking out my video and I hope your install goes smooth today! I had not ever replaced it and ran without the boot over the slip portion of the driveline for a decent amount of time. I did upgrade both my driveshafts at later times to Adams which have been doing great for me.

@annmariepinkerton3345 3 ай бұрын

@@VictorVectorJKU thanks for the quick reply! I can rest easy knowing I don’t have to keep searching for that part that seems to not exist 🤣. Adam’s is on my list too!

@VictorVectorJKU 3 ай бұрын

@annmariepinkerton3345 you are welcome, and yeah the slip boot is less important than the cv boots on either end of the driveshaft. Of course if you are in an area that corrosion is an issue you may start noticing issues sooner.