Engine skid plate, and jack point? RCI specific, but probably other skids as well

[re_guderian]

So I've installed the RCI engine skid plate (still waiting for the tranny/xfer, and gas tank to arrive), and was wondering what others are doing to a central floor jack lift point on aftermarket skids in general, and the RCI's in particular. A query to RCI resulted in "just jack on the plate between the middle bolts, and it DOES have supports there, but puts the unsupported weight of the truck solely on a span of 3/16" skid plate about 18" wide (didn't measure, going off memory).

One of the reasons I bought the RCI skids was because of the thicker plate, as compared to 3mm or 4mm, but I'm reluctant to do that. Thinking about bolting a 2 7/8" HDPE body lift puck in there to support the span.

Overkill? Overthing this? What are y'all doing for central jack point with aftermarket skids?

 

[Acrad]

My Budbuilt have the OEM location and claimed "load tested" support there. I haven't tried it yet though

 

[Jstawgn]

I jack the other cross member behind it. 1/4" Aluminum would definitely bend without the middle support. 3/16" Steel might still bend a bit.

 

[Rednexus]

I have ARB skidplates (not as thick as RCI) and jack under the middle skidplate (that bolts to the front engine crossmember, behind the engine skidplate) using a ~2' long 4x4 piece of wood to span the skidplate, centered on the skidplate bolt holes. This lifts up the GX just fine and does not seem to stress the plate too much.

 

[re_guderian]

I have ARB skidplates (not as thick as RCI) and jack under the middle skidplate (that bolts to the front engine crossmember, behind the engine skidplate) using a ~2' long 4x4 piece of wood to span the skidplate, centered on the skidplate bolt holes. This lifts up the GX just fine and does not seem to stress the plate too much.

Great idea! Thanks!