To SKIM or not to SKIM, that is the question.

[1999 MJ]

     As I continue to collect parts and what not to make a 1999 MJ, I’ve thought about adding SKIM, so hopefully my MJ doesn’t disappear (get stolen) on me.  I completely understand the parts needed & the DRB-III scan tool needed.

- PCM that should code itself, when the ignition SKIM ring is plugged in.

- Ignition SKIM ring.

- Gray chipped / coded SKIM keys.

 

     I believe the computer can store up to 6 different programmed keys (not cloned keys).

 

   I’ve weighed out the inconveniences of;

- A).  Having the truck stolen with a regular 1999 XJ ignition and probably getting my truck back in “totaled” condition.

- B).  Damage to the ignition system and needing the truck towed for repairs.

- C).  Potential SKIM failure (I understand it’s a robust system) and needing to get it towed for repairs.

- D).  Roll the dice with a manual transmission & regular 1999 XJ ignition.

- E).  Other?

 

   I have no desire to put a kill switch in / give the truck a special handshake to start it.  I’m pretty confident I wouldn’t use the kill switch 99.99% of the time and therefore, it just be a regular 1999 XJ ignition system to defeat.

 

     Pros?  Cons?  Sounds like a great idea?  I’m bringing more trouble to myself?

 

Does anybody exactly know how SKIM works?  Let’s pretend the Ignition SKIM ring fails.  Can I just swap Ignition SKIM rings, because it’s an antenna?  I believe I understand the Ignition SKIM ring is just a gateway to the Security feature in the PCM and the Ignition SKIM ring unlocks this feature and keeps it open, until a DRB-III computer says otherwise / the PCM gets re-flashed.  I understand the PCM stores the programmed keys, therefore the keys get coded to the PCM.  I’m just wondering if each Ignition SKIM ring is unique?

 

My daily driver XJ (completely different Jeep) has SKIM.  I’m not afraid of the SKIM system.  I’m just wondering if I should know something I might be missing about SKIM?

 

   

[ghetdjc320]

I installed a skim on my TJR. It did require the dealer to program it into the ecu but was a non event otherwise. From my understanding, a failure of the skim will fail-secure and will immobilize. I liked the skim system overall.