Thanks to all for the advice.
The skid plate is in.
While waiting for my youngest son to arrive to give me a hand, I decided to replace the A/C belt and alternator belts. First I took off the mini-skid plate beneath the front end of the engine. I broke one of the four bolts holding it on even though I had used PB Blaster a couple of days ago and tried to loosen them by using the one turn out half turn in method. There was just too much rust on the top end of this bolt. I may dirll it out if the plate rattles with just the three remaining bolts holding it on.
I then went at the A/C belt by loosening the nut on the idler pulley. Then I backed off the adjustment bolt and it broke too! I took off the idler pulley and then pried off the little flange that holds the sliding adjuster to the idler bolt. This allowed me to take off the adjuster with the broken adjusing bolt in place. Luckily it is really long so I put it in a vice and used vice grips, PB Blaster and a soldering torch. I broke two more pieces off the bolt with the vise grips before it finally turned and I managed to get the remaining part of the bolt out. So it's off to my local Toy store for a new bolt (unless the the local fastener specialist has one!).
The alternator went by without a hitch. To loosen the adjusing bolt you really have to use a box end wrench, but that's OK.
The IPOR skid plate went on with a few grunts. I figure it is best to but the central two nuts on first. You really have to make sure that the jack holding up the rear flange of the tranfer case is way back at the far end of the TC oterwise it gets in the way. I will be experimenting tomorrow with some rubber grommets I have in order to protect the center two bolts that protrude way down. I am going to get two new nuts, flat and lock washers tomorrow. If it works or not, I will take and post some pics.
There was not enough time left to do the Pin 7 mod (it got dark fast). My son's help will make that job go a bit easier too.
All in all, a fun day. Good to work with my son. That was the best part.
