tube skid plate for TJ T-Case

[stu]

Thinking of getting something made very similar to this for the TJ. Having recently scoop heaps of mud, rock, grass from the factory skid plate supporting the T-case i thought a lighter, tube one will be a much better idea.

Thought about suspending another loop to fix new lower trailing arms just on the inside of the chassis rails too. but i think thats alow of stuffing around, any ideas?




...Anyone....

[Black_TJ]

Like it lots....how much????????????

[LEXX]

Looks good m8, hmmmmmmmmm

[Saxon]

looks nice Stu, i also have been quite interested in this tummy tucker by nth degree http://www.nthdegreemobility.com/tt.htm , looks real high quality i reckon. But who am i kidding? I have so many other things to get right before ill be ready for a belly up. Maybe ill just work on loosing the beer belly for now.

[stu]

Well before i rush into anything i'm still to do a bit more research - lets face it, if it hasen't been done for the TJ you should start wondering why?

I'm looking at how the T-case fixes to the skidplate - the factory skid plate is either cast or pressed into that wonderfull shape, again why?.....is that shape important? can the t-case & rubber mount be mounted to a flat bit of plate? does it mean a new rubber mount. Just a couple of questions but i'd rather mull (tee, hee) over these questions and avoid getting something expensive fabbed up just to have it break something more expensive.

I'will be fitting a T-case lowing kit on my TJ soon and will take measurements then, I'll have a good think about it too.

[LEXX]

Good idea STu, one of the first things you would need to consider is the raising of the rear and front driveline angles with the flat pan. Mounting to a flat pan is easy enogh, just use the mounting points that the rubber mount attaches to. Also with a flat pan it can become tricky if you want a new exhaust system, the shape for the trannie case helps sort out the driveline angle, another way of dropping the transfercase.

[Wooders]

Pesonally I'm not too keen on the tubed design.
Over time I'll be looking to put basically a flat plate as the skid.
But the biggest issues I can find are:
1. To get it dead flat I'll need a 2" MML (I currently have none).
2. A dead flat skid has the same effect as an additionaly 2½" suspension lift....ie 7" on my TJ - and I'll probably need new shafts to be able to cater for this.
3. I'll probably get a new exhaust at the same time (I need one anyway ).
4. The folds in the stock plate generate much of it's strength - IMHO you'd want thicker than ¼" - I was thinking 5/16" or even as much as 3/8" - but then weight becomes bit of an issue.
5. The other conceren I have if the negative effect on the CoG - as it's lifting some of the heviest components

Still thinking.....