Stock Skid Plate Questions

[70 FJ40]

My 81 FJ60 came to me without a skid plate. I found a skid plate on Marketplace from an 86. Bought it figuring it would bolt right up. It looks like it will fit and all the holes in the frame line up, but my frame only has 2 holes on the driver's side and only 1 on the passenger side that are threaded. I searched and it looks like people list skid plates for sale as early (81-84) or late (85-87). They look the same in pictures and both appear to have the same number of mounting holes in the same places. At any rate it seems strange to me that I dont have more threaded holes in my frame. Anyone with insights on this?
Thanks

 

[klinetime574]

Early and late skid plates must be different because the transmissions were a different length, and used a different style cross member. I’d wager there either isn’t a hole for the transfer case drain or it doesn’t line up. Mine no longer lines up (early rig with H55 installed). I’ve never seen a “late” skid plate so I’m not sure if they have a hole for the transfer case drain plug.

HTH

 

[70 FJ40]

Early and late skid plates must be different because the transmissions were a different length, and used a different style cross member. I’d wager there either isn’t a hole for the transfer case drain or it doesn’t line up. Mine no longer lines up (early rig with H55 installed). I’ve never seen a “late” skid plate so I’m not sure if they have a hole for the transfer case drain plug.

HTH

I was kinda thinking the same as you. The thing I thought is strange is that my truck doesn't have enough threaded holes to put the skid plate on.

 

[70 FJ40]

I'm gonna have to do something in at least 2 of the holes in the frame(1 on each side) in order to bolt the skid plate to the frame. Is an M8 nutsert stronger than threading the frame for a larger M10 bolt?

 

[toy_tek]

I'm gonna have to do something in at least 2 of the holes in the frame(1 on each side) in order to bolt the skid plate to the frame. Is an M8 nutsert stronger than threading the frame for a larger M10 bolt?

IMO I'd tap for 10mm over M8 nutsert for something that's going to take a beating.

 

[70 FJ40]

IMO I'd tap for 10mm over M8 nutsert for something that's going to take a beating.

Initially I was thinking the same as you. My concern is that the tapped threads will only be through the thickness of the frame. Not nut welded to the inside. So, I started wondering if a nutsert would be stronger than that. I've never used user's for anything so I don't have anything to go for what strength they have.