Skid plates

[uclafan]

Next, I removed all the existing protection, and installed the engine skid. I had to remove a few protective covers to accommodate the skid. I reused 4 of the bolts from the protective covers for the front part of the engine skid. Detail of the front part of the engine skid install shown here.

 

[RET2]

Thanks for the pics. Sure glad i have a plasma cutter !!

 

[uclafan]

Pics of the engine plate installed from the front and rear view. For the rear two bolts, I noticed later that there were two hex bolts that were rounded in the package, and will replace that later when I complete the install. I could not install the transmission skid because of the crossmember issue, so I moved on to the front skid.

 

[uclafan]

The front skid was easy to install, and mated up seamlessly with the front of the engine skid. I have an ARB deluxe bar, and the skid transitioned smoothly to the bar. Some details shown here.

 

[uclafan]

Initial impressions of the install so far is that this is a well-thought out product, and I have confidence that the bottom side will provide the protection against anything that I can throw at it. The holes line up well and other than a few oversight issues (lack of direction, few missing pieces of hardware), the product seems to be all that it's been advertised to be. I'm looking forward to completing the rest of the install once the MIA pieces come in. There is a lot of stainless steel here, and with the thought that went into the design and execution of the product, I feel that I received a good value for my money. Thanks Bud and @Taco2Cruiser.

 

[uclafan]

Thanks for the pics. Sure glad i have a plasma cutter !!

Right, so your cut should be cleaner than mine!

 

[RET2]

"SHOULD" is a long word and I gave up reciprocating saws for Lent.

 

[uclafan]

Initial impressions of the install so far is that this is a well-thought out product, and I have confidence that the bottom side will provide the protection against anything that I can throw at it. The holes line up well and other than a few oversight issues (lack of direction, few missing pieces of hardware), the product seems to be all that it's been advertised to be. I'm looking forward to completing the rest of the install once the MIA pieces come in. There is a lot of stainless steel here, and with the thought that went into the design and execution of the product, I feel that I received a good value for my money. Thanks Bud and @Taco2Cruiser.

Well, after a few weeks I received the extended bolts and resumed the installation of the skids. With the extended bolts, I was able to mount the crossmember. Here's a few shots of the bolt detail, the side attachment, and a view from the rear. The transmission skid can be seen in the last photo directly in front of the crossmember assembly, this is the one that is held on by the 2 large carriage bolts.

 

[uclafan]

With the transmission skid and the crossmember in place, I was ready to attach the transfer skid. The front slid into the rear of the transmission skid without any issues (keeping the carriage bolts loose helped to slide the front of the transfer skid in). When I tried to bolt in the 3 supplied carriage bolts onto the crossmember, I discovered that two of the three holes (left and right), were 1/4" off, and the center hole was 1/8" off. With the thick diameter tubing used for the crossmember, I though that enlarging the holes so the bolts would slide through would not compromise the strength of the . This took a little while as I only have access to a handheld drill, and was going slow in order not to burn the bit. The final result looks like this.

 

[uclafan]

Here's a view from the rear of the transfer case. The modified holes lined up without any problems (I covered the bare metal with paint). At this point, I am missing a beveled hexhead screw (for the engine skid), and a rounded mushroom hexhead screw; will try to call the shop to get the missing parts. I have covered the installation of the front skid earlier, and with the rest of the skids installed, feel that the protection provided offsets and weight penalty incurred. I would be curious to hear if anyone else who have installed the skids had a hole-alignment problem with the transfer case skid and the crossmember?

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

Here's a view from the rear of the transfer case. The modified holes lined up without any problems (I covered the bare metal with paint). At this point, I am missing a beveled hexhead screw (for the engine skid), and a rounded mushroom hexhead screw; will try to call the shop to get the missing parts. I have covered the installation of the front skid earlier, and with the rest of the skids installed, feel that the protection provided offsets and weight penalty incurred. I would be curious to hear if anyone else who have installed the skids had a hole-alignment problem with the transfer case skid and the crossmember?

View attachment 1577693

No that’s not acceptable. Those crossmember holes should be dead on. I’m wondering if that crossmember was from the first generation transfer case skid. The first generation had 3 mounting points, but the current version has 4. Either way, you should ask for a new one, because that is not representative of their work.

Sorry you’ve had to deal with this issue. The only good I can say is that getting in on the early run has its down falls, but once this first batch is done and any issues (like this one) are done along with better instructions, the price is going up. I’ll give Bud a heads up, but absolutely call.

 

[SWUtah]

Looks like your ready for Iraq and any roadside bombs they could throw at you. Congrats

 

[uclafan]

Looks like your ready for Iraq and any roadside bombs they could throw at you. Congrats

Thanks, and I feel the same way. These are incredibly stout and should withstand anything imaginable that we can throw at it. I was concerned about having an aftermarket transmission pan that sticks out past the factory guard; the BB skids were able to accommodate the extra depth, and I have no doubt that it will have no problem protecting the undercarriage.

I noticed the USMC notation on your signature line, thanks for your service.

 

[SQRRRL]

Nice work. We need to get the LA/OC/SD guys togeather. Meet @ Cooks Corner for breakfast and head up Maple Springs to The Main Divide. ( Top of Saddle Back Mountain)

 

[RET2]

Woo Hoo got mine finished up today. BTW the holes were off on my crossover bar too. Plasma cutter to rescue Hell bent for stout would be an understatement. The stock cage around the transfer case is an accident waiting to happen. Very happy customer!!

 

[uclafan]

Nice work. We need to get the LA/OC/SD guys togeather. Meet @ Cooks Corner for breakfast and head up Maple Springs to The Main Divide. ( Top of Saddle Back Mountain)

Sounds good, never been on that trail, is it an all day commitment?

 

[uclafan]

Woo Hoo got mine finished up today. BTW the holes were off on my crossover bar too. Plasma cutter to rescue Hell bent for stout would be an understatement. The stock cage around the transfer case is an accident waiting to happen. Very happy customer!!

Good job @RET2, and while it's not good news that your hole alignment was off, I was thinking maybe I did something wrong. Agree with the "stout" description, and although I'm not a fan of making holes for the heck of it, I'm thinking that it's going to take a specific type of hit at the right angle to damage the crossmember.

 

[RET2]

It's going to be one hell of a hit to cause any type of structural damage to it. Besides you would probably be making contact further to the front unless you hit one of those jumping armored armadillo's. The single bolt on the drivers side mount would fail first IMHO. Good thing for future purchasers is we're out here to help with questions and tips.

 

[Island1064]

Got my Budbuilt skids installed today, sorry for the quality of the picts, wearing a back brace and can't wiggle too much today.

 

[RET2]

Congrats. Red no less! Did you have any issue with the crossmember hole placement?