TJM T13 and BudBuilt front skid interface

[kcjaz]

Installed my BudBuilt skids last night and notice that the bottom TJM filler/cover plate does not extend to the top mounting location of the BudBuilt front skid creating a gap. I've talked to Bud and he's going to make me an extended filler plate after I send him my current one. I know a few folks on here have a T13 and BudBuilt skids and I'm just wondering what others have done to fill the gap or if you just didn't worry about it. On one hand it seems like the gap is good from the perspective of air flow to the power steering cooler, but on the other hand stuffing the fins of the cooler with mud and crap is no good either. Looks like the ARB filler plate covers the whole area, so I'm guessing that the air flow thing is not a big concern.

 

[CharlieS]

Nope, same issue when using the stock bumper. The factory covers that with a guard. I made a plate to cover it, but would have preferred if there was a budbuilt option.

 

[KLF]

Huh, I coulda swore that Rob (@Taco2Cruiser) told me it would mate right up when I finally got my bumper.

 

[kcjaz]

Nope, same issue when using the stock bumper. The factory covers that with a guard. I made a plate to cover it, but would have preferred if there was a budbuilt option.

View attachment 2481666

Well, like I said, I'm planning on having BB make me one. Once they have the pattern, I would think they could produce them for others.

 

[Wisluggo]

How are you liking the TJM 13?

 

[sdnative]

Nice 67!

 

[kcjaz]

How are you liking the TJM 13?

It saved me from the second deer strike with no damage, so I like it a lot!

 

[Markuson]

It saved me from the second deer strike with no damage, so I like it a lot!

Same here on T13...
Deer vs TJM = T13 win.

 

[kcjaz]

Hey @Markuson what did you do with the gap between the T13 and the BB front skid?

 

[Markuson]

Hey @Markuson what did you do with the gap between the T13 and the BB front skid?

I haven’t done anything to it. Honestly, not really convinced it matters much.

 

[CharlieS]

I can imagine a stray branch doing a job on the radiator, etc.

 

[ga12r1]

Love mine! They will take a beating... (I don't know why these loaded sideways) Plus I posted this in the wrong thread. WTF!!!

 

[4wheelgreg]

I'm part of the latest BB group buy in the for skid plates , I did send a Email to BB on my front bumper is going to be the TJM T13 and also let them know I also may end up with the KDDS relocation , thats just a notch on the front plate .
From the picture needs a extension like a 45 degree extended up to cover the gap .

 

[CharlieS]

Ideally it would mount under the front of the Budbuild skid (so things slide over it when going front to back) under the radiator support, and mount up under the structure that the bumper skin bolts up to underneath. This requires a plate with two bends, leaving the mounting tabs in the same plane and a sloped section (45 degrees?) between them.

I mocked one up with cardboard, but didn't have a good way to bend the stock, so I just cut one side off and left it as a flat plate.

It probably addresses 80% of the concern, but I'd rather have one that provides full coverage.

I ended up cutting off the flange where the printed Toyota badge in the picture above is:

So it blocks a lot of the gap, but not all of it (it'd be so much better if it tied into the skid mounts):

It'd be a lot better, especially for the TJM guys, to have the main mounting point be where it meets the skid plate, overlapping, reusing the mounting bolts in the radiator support, with a ramped portion tucked up under the bumper. I think Rob said they like to have things overlap front to back to help ease sliding over obstacles.

 

[kcjaz]

Got the latest TJM transition prototype from Bud last week and just installed it. Still working out a few kinks. Had to trim it a little lengthen the mounting slots. I think it has turned out pretty well. Made it from 1/8" SS. Overkill? Well yes, so?

 

[04UZJ100]

What’s the oil and filter change process like with these on? Have to remove them to reach oil drain?

 

[kcjaz]

What’s the oil and filter change process like with these on? Have to remove them to reach oil drain?

There are access plates for the filter and drain plug.

 

[4wheelgreg]

1/8 might be a little thin , 3/16 would be better its frontal impact zone .

 

[CharlieS]

I may be misunderstanding, but on my Budbuilt install with a stock bumper, this is just replacing a stock (thin) perforated steel sheet metal shield. Removing the stock skid plate exposes this area at the front of the condenser/radiator in a way that it isn’t in the stock setup. It just keeps crud from puncturing the bottom front of the condenser/radiator. I don’t think this is going to serve as much impact protection. In my opinion, I think thinner stock should be fine in this application.

 

[kcjaz]

I may be misunderstanding, but on my Budbuilt install with a stock bumper, this is just replacing a stock (thin) perforated steel sheet metal shield. Removing the stock skid plate exposes this area at the front of the condenser/radiator in a way that it isn’t in the stock setup. It just keeps crud from puncturing the bottom front of the condenser/radiator. I don’t think this is going to serve as much impact protection. In my opinion, I think thinner stock should be fine in this application.

Yes. The transition plate is replacing the TJM supplied thin plate. The TJM plate is a little thinner that 1/8”. The new BB transition is really for keeping sticks and brush out of the PS cooler tubes. If you hit anything hard that high, you aren’t making it over. The downside of it is weight. 1/8” aluminum would probably be a good choice too. I just like the look of it as it matches the SS and it appears to be a continuous thick plate.