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General Forums => The Mess Hall => Topic started by: jeeper78 on November 17, 2009, 12:09:17 AM
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I'm working on a budget (LOW BUDGET) to fit my 97 TJ with some sacrificial steel for the underside and I'd like to hear from others who have tried theirs out. Personally I'm leaning towards pieces from Rusty's, Skid Row(local) and Tomken, but all opinions are welcome.
In this search I'm looking for the following:
Gas tank skid
Steering skid
Oil pan/tranny skid
Control Arm skid
Radiator skid
Diff skids (front and back)
Keep in mind that I'm looking for low budget pieces, but that doesn't mean I'll sacrifice function for cost!!
Also interested in hearing about anything belly up related -- (home brewed and aftermarket) that will work with a 2 inch suspension lift and no slip yoke eliminator.
Yes. I could go through a few years worth of JP magazine and 4 wheel and offroad articles( and read the opinions they're getting paid to print) and I could also listen to a bunch of mall crawling punks on jeep forum, but I'd rather hear about real world experience -- from 4 bangers who actually use their jeeps!!
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I don't know what skids are going for these days, but I will add that I wouldn't bother trying a belly-up without installing a SYE. You will gain a lot of ground clearance with a belly-up but your driveshaft is likely already at its travel limits.
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for the tank skid use the savvy one it's not terribly expensive it will grow with your Jeep
front control arm mount skids are very easy to make so home brew is the way to go
Belly up you can make yourself or take your pick for something different try the Nth degree diffskid/rear stinger and belly up combo. Some people swear by that setup and should be available again through AEV. An other place for some quality stuff is Rockmen
rear diff skid is not all that hard to make either.
For an oilpan skid, I don't care for the rusty's one it hangs way to low. I made my own and have been very happy with it, has held up very well with some serious rock abuse
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I'm working on a budget (LOW BUDGET) to fit my 97 TJ with some sacrificial steel for the underside and I'd like to hear from others who have tried theirs out. Personally I'm leaning towards pieces from Rusty's, Skid Row(local) and Tomken, but all opinions are welcome.
In this search I'm looking for the following:
Gas tank skid X2 on the Savvy
Steering skid There are many on the market shop around
Oil pan/tranny skid I LOVE my skidrow (YJ)
Control Arm skid If you can make your own it's cheap and easy
Radiator skidI don't think this is really needed
Diff skids (front and back)Buy a HD diff cover don't put a skid on
Keep in mind that I'm looking for low budget pieces, but that doesn't mean I'll sacrifice function for cost!!
You did not mention rocker gaurds. There are alot on the market, shop around for a deal. Most are made from 3/16. Or you can make your own using angle iron
.http://4bangerjp.com/forums/index.php/topic,7716.0.html
Here is a belly up in the for sale section
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You did not mention rocker gaurds. There are alot on the market, shop around for a deal. Most are made from 3/16. Or you can make your own using angle iron
I already installed a set of Rugged Ridge rockers/step so the g/f can get in. Not the best, but for the money I couldn't complain. (The rockers are good too :roflol: )
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I don't know what skids are going for these days, but I will add that I wouldn't bother trying a belly-up without installing a SYE. You will gain a lot of ground clearance with a belly-up but your driveshaft is likely already at its travel limits.
I'm not too concerned with getting a belly up at the moment, but If someone had a good in depth write up about a homemade one, then I would definitely go that route. With the money saved from doing the belly up myself, I would be able to buy the AA SYE.
Basically I want to hear from people about what they have and the pro's and con's of the product. (Poorly designed, Easy install, great protection, things of that nature.)
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For an oilpan skid, I don't care for the rusty's one it hangs way to low. I made my own and have been very happy with it, has held up very well with some serious rock abuse
Hey AW, I was wondering if you had any pics of your homemade oil pan skid, you may inspire me to make my own.
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I have 4x Doctors diff guards and gas tank skid. Gas tank skid hasn't seen any use. The diff guards have been fine and I haven't noticed any negatives with them on trails like Rubicon. Also used a Skid Row Oil Pan skid plate on the Rubicon that got banged up hard but worked (its clearance isn't ideal and smaller tires like 31's don't help, but I'm pretty sure it saved my oil pan on a couple of occasions on that trail and was a good investment.
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I made my own oilpan skid that mounts easily to the bellhousing:
(http://www.dirtyfabworks.com/images/OilpanSkid/OilpanSkid5.jpg)
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And I added Shrockworks rockers designed for TJs. Those saw some use on the Rubicon just like the Skid Row Oil skid.
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Here goes this thing goes from the engine all the way to the bellyup and will support the entire weight of the Jeep. Has taken a good banging and works very well.
Has a frame made out off angle iron with a 1/4 thick 6160 t6 aluminum plate on it
(http://hotimg23.fotki.com/a/76_172/88_38/oilpan-skid-plate-009.jpg) (http://hotimg23.fotki.com/p/a/76_172/88_38/oilpan-skid-plate-009.jpg)
(http://hotimg25.fotki.com/a/76_172/88_38/oilpan-skid-plate-005.jpg) (http://hotimg25.fotki.com/p/a/76_172/88_38/oilpan-skid-plate-005.jpg)
(http://hotimg25.fotki.com/a/76_172/88_38/oilpan-skid-plate-004.jpg) (http://hotimg25.fotki.com/p/a/76_172/88_38/oilpan-skid-plate-004.jpg)
(http://hotimg25.fotki.com/a/76_172/88_38/oilpan-skid-plate-008.jpg) (http://hotimg25.fotki.com/p/a/76_172/88_38/oilpan-skid-plate-008.jpg)
Here it is doing what it's supposed to be doing and I did drive off that marble
(http://hotimg23.fotki.com/a/76_172/88_38/100_3487.jpg) (http://hotimg23.fotki.com/p/a/76_172/88_38/100_3487.jpg)
And one more of the belly of the little beast
(http://hotimg23.fotki.com/a/76_172/88_38/Art-thumble611.jpg) (http://hotimg23.fotki.com/p/a/76_172/88_38/Art-thumble611.jpg)
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I made my own oilpan skid that mounts easily to the bellhousing:
(http://www.dirtyfabworks.com/images/OilpanSkid/OilpanSkid5.jpg)
Cool. I did something similar. I'm pretty happy with it and it would have prevented the oil pan damage my Jeep has just fine.
(http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q277/neale_rs/95%20YJ/000_0425.jpg)
(http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q277/neale_rs/95%20YJ/000_0427.jpg)
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Here goes this thing goes from the engine all the way to the bellyup and will support the entire weight of the Jeep. Has taken a good banging and works very well.
Has a frame made out off angle iron with a 1/4 thick 6160 t6 aluminum plate on it
(http://hotimg23.fotki.com/a/76_172/88_38/oilpan-skid-plate-009.jpg) (http://hotimg23.fotki.com/p/a/76_172/88_38/oilpan-skid-plate-009.jpg)
(http://hotimg25.fotki.com/a/76_172/88_38/oilpan-skid-plate-005.jpg) (http://hotimg25.fotki.com/p/a/76_172/88_38/oilpan-skid-plate-005.jpg)
(http://hotimg25.fotki.com/a/76_172/88_38/oilpan-skid-plate-004.jpg) (http://hotimg25.fotki.com/p/a/76_172/88_38/oilpan-skid-plate-004.jpg)
(http://hotimg25.fotki.com/a/76_172/88_38/oilpan-skid-plate-008.jpg) (http://hotimg25.fotki.com/p/a/76_172/88_38/oilpan-skid-plate-008.jpg)
Here it is doing what it's supposed to be doing and I did drive off that marble
(http://hotimg23.fotki.com/a/76_172/88_38/100_3487.jpg) (http://hotimg23.fotki.com/p/a/76_172/88_38/100_3487.jpg)
And one more of the belly of the little beast
(http://hotimg23.fotki.com/a/76_172/88_38/Art-thumble611.jpg) (http://hotimg23.fotki.com/p/a/76_172/88_38/Art-thumble611.jpg)
Now that looks like a really beefy design. I like it :thumb: Where did you attach the two front mounts to? And is the rear just bolted to the stock mudshovel or is it bolted to the tranny?
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Cool. I did something similar. I'm pretty happy with it and it would have prevented the oil pan damage my Jeep has just fine.
(http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q277/neale_rs/95%20YJ/000_0425.jpg)
(http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q277/neale_rs/95%20YJ/000_0427.jpg)
I made my own oilpan skid that mounts easily to the bellhousing:
(http://www.dirtyfabworks.com/images/OilpanSkid/OilpanSkid5.jpg)
Those both kinda look like the Rock-it oil pan skid. Nice designs as well. 1/4 inch steel I'm guessing?
Seeing as how they're not attached anywhere in the front wouldn't that be problematic if you were to get high centered on the skid?
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The front legs are made of 1" thick wall square tubing and bolt to the motor mount brackets of the frame pretty much like all the 6 cyl setups. The rear bolts to the terra low belly up and helps stiffen it the frame is 1 1/2" angle iron
(http://hotimg23.fotki.com/a/76_172/88_38/oilpan-skid-plate-001.jpg) (http://hotimg23.fotki.com/p/a/76_172/88_38/oilpan-skid-plate-001.jpg)
(http://hotimg25.fotki.com/a/76_172/88_38/oilpan-skid-plate-003.jpg) (http://hotimg25.fotki.com/p/a/76_172/88_38/oilpan-skid-plate-003.jpg)
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I just ordered the Kilby gas tank skid which gives 1" of additional clearance as well as their steering box skid, both are on sale at 4WD.com and have them ship to the nearest 4Wheelparts store and shipping is free(actually I think the deal includes free shipping!)
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Those both kinda look like the Rock-it oil pan skid. Nice designs as well. 1/4 inch steel I'm guessing?
Seeing as how they're not attached anywhere in the front wouldn't that be problematic if you were to get high centered on the skid?
Definitely not as strong as one supported front and back but stronger then you might think at first. I can hang most of my weight (200 lbs) from it so it probably wouldnīt get bent back too easily. When my oil pan got dented, it was mainly due to a sharp point that crushed the thin metal and almost punctured it. With this, that sharp point would have been against a thick plate and it would distribute the load over a broad area of the oil pan. It's mainly a tough skin to prevent puncturing.
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Scott why didn't you order the Savvy gas tank skid? It's a nice skid probably about the same price and best of all it's a lot lighter, also it's backed by a very good warranty.
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Cool. I did something similar. I'm pretty happy with it and it would have prevented the oil pan damage my Jeep has just fine.
(http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q277/neale_rs/95%20YJ/000_0425.jpg)
I added one more thing to mine and that was a piece of plate on the backside angled upward, so the skid would not get hung up should you have to back off of something. It actually angles up towards the two bottom bellhousing bolts.
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Cool. I did something similar. I'm pretty happy with it and it would have prevented the oil pan damage my Jeep has just fine.
(http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q277/neale_rs/95%20YJ/000_0425.jpg)
ok, why is your oil pan different than mine - '95 YJ 2.5L
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ok, why is your oil pan different than mine - '95 YJ 2.5L
Mine is like Neale's.
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Mine is like Neale's.
mine has the drain hole centered and towards the belhousing not on the side
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I did some looking around and found a company I never heard of before. Apparently they do a bunch of aftermarket stuff for side by side quads, but they also do jeep skids. Extreme Metal Products. They have similar designs as what bountyhunter and neale_rs have but it's made for a 4.0. for $44.
I'm wondering if I could just pick that up and if needed, drill 2 holes to match up to the bellhousing on the ax-5?
Anyone know what the difference would be on the mounting holes of the ax-5 compared to the ax-15?
I just ordered the Kilby gas tank skid which gives 1" of additional clearance as well as their steering box skid, both are on sale at 4WD.com and have them ship to the nearest 4Wheelparts store and shipping is free(actually I think the deal includes free shipping!)
I took a look at the kilby but I'm thinking of going with tomken for the gas tank skid. It goes on over the stock skid without having to drop the tank. Skid row has a similar design but for $100 more.
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I did some looking around and found a company I never heard of before. Apparently they do a bunch of aftermarket stuff for side by side quads, but they also do jeep skids. Extreme Metal Products. They have similar designs as what bountyhunter and neale_rs have but it's made for a 4.0. for $44.
I'm wondering if I could just pick that up and if needed, drill 2 holes to match up to the bellhousing on the ax-5?
Anyone know what the difference would be on the mounting holes of the ax-5 compared to the ax-15?
I took a look at the kilby but I'm thinking of going with tomken for the gas tank skid. It goes on over the stock skid without having to drop the tank. Skid row has a similar design but for $100 more.
The Tomken one hangs way down. I'd look for a replacement one VS one that covers the OE one.
http://shop.savvyoffroad.com/product.sc;jsessionid=CCFFB6CE775469BE7222D223A6E92582.qscstrfrnt04?productId=1&categoryId=1
If I had a TJ and was in need of a gas tank skid I would go this route.
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The Tomken one hangs way down. I'd look for a replacement one VS one that covers the OE one.
http://shop.savvyoffroad.com/product.sc;jsessionid=CCFFB6CE775469BE7222D223A6E92582.qscstrfrnt04?productId=1&categoryId=1
If I had a TJ and was in need of a gas tank skid I would go this route.
Now I'm getting to thinking. I was one of the unfortunate few to get stuck with a 15 gallon tank TJ. If I was to install the saavy then at the same time I could do the conversion to a 20 gallon tank.
I did a search and only found 1 write up with pics that weren't too clear. If anyone has a link to the conversion, I would appreciate it.
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Now I'm getting to thinking. I was one of the unfortunate few to get stuck with a 15 gallon tank TJ. If I was to install the saavy then at the same time I could do the conversion to a 20 gallon tank.
I did a search and only found 1 write up with pics that weren't too clear. If anyone has a link to the conversion, I would appreciate it.
http://4bangerjp.com/forums/index.php/topic,10.0.html
Bottom of the page, click on the PICS.
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http://4bangerjp.com/forums/index.php/topic,10.0.html
Bottom of the page, click on the PICS.
You have got to be kidding me-- that's all?? I just wasted a whole summer on unemployment in great weather where I could have done that,- now I get some good info and it's crappy weather plus I'm starting work again monday!!! Just my luck.
BTW thanks for that link. :beers: I guess I need to broaden my search horizons.
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ok, why is your oil pan different than mine - '95 YJ 2.5L
Prolly due to the early/late '95 differences, my late '95 2.5L requires a TJ oilpan, any other YJ oil pan will not work.
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Prolly due to the early/late '95 differences, my late '95 2.5L requires a TJ oilpan, any other YJ oil pan will not work.
which one's which? is your's with a side or centered oil drain?
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Anyone know what the difference would be on the mounting holes of the ax-5 compared to the ax-15?
I took a look at the kilby but I'm thinking of going with tomken for the gas tank skid. It goes on over the stock skid without having to drop the tank. Skid row has a similar design but for $100 more.
I highly recommend the Kilby Skid over the Tomken. The Tomken might be easier but bit's a boat. The Kilby skid is really the one everyone copied. In addition to behind tougher it will also give you 1" additional clearance on your TJ.
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I am with ya Jeffy, you do not want to put a skid over the current skid, TJ's drag their behind as it is. So any skid that lowers it even more is pretty much a waste of money.
Kilby is good, but I am partial to the Savvy one you can stuff the tank up as high as it will go, it weighs no more than the stock skid, is very strong and they claim that if you demolish the thing they will give you a new one. Besides it looks bling and 6160 T6 is some really tough stuff
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I am with ya Jeffy, you do not want to put a skid over the current skid, TJ's drag their behind as it is. So any skid that lowers it even more is pretty much a waste of money.
Kilby is good, but I am partial to the Savvy one you can stuff the tank up as high as it will go, it weighs no more than the stock skid, is very strong and they claim that if you demolish the thing they will give you a new one. Besides it looks bling and 6160 T6 is some really tough stuff
I'm not overly worried about bling, in fact I've done away with pretty much anything with a shiny metallic hue. I even used black touch up paint to cover the bolts and nuts holding the aftermarket mirrors on. I'm actually starting to think that I will go the route of dropping the tank and installing something more significant like the saavy-- especially to save weight. I never painted aluminum before though, is it much different from painting bare steel?
which one's which? is your's with a side or centered oil drain?
I have the side position drain hole, but I could probably still get away with using the Extreme metal products skid. Maybe just screw a patch piece over the 4.0 oil drain hole and then drill the proper mounting holes to bolt it to the bellhousing.
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which one's which? is your's with a side or centered oil drain?
The drain on the side is TJ. I also have to buy TJ fan belts, no YJ belt fits properly.
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I added one more thing to mine and that was a piece of plate on the backside angled upward, so the skid would not get hung up should you have to back off of something. It actually angles up towards the two bottom bellhousing bolts.
Thanks for the idea. Itīs a nice improvement.
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I have the side position drain hole, but I could probably still get away with using the Extreme metal products skid. Maybe just screw a patch piece over the 4.0 oil drain hole and then drill the proper mounting holes to bolt it to the bellhousing.
Just took a look at extreme metal products and their price for a TJ gas tank skid is amazing. It just might be the best deal out there.
The price for the oil pan skid seems high. I paid about $10 to get it welded, including the metal (I'm in Mexico). Once I got it home, I drilled the mounting holes and trimmed the mounting tabs with a grinder. It seems you could make the 4.0 skid fit but you might end up working about as much or paying about as much as it would take to just make it directly for your Jeep. The key to the low cost was to have a general welding shop make it. A Jeep fab shop would have charged a heavy premium.
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The drain on the side is TJ. I also have to buy TJ fan belts, no YJ belt fits properly.
do you also have the dual diaphragm brake drum?
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No, wasnīt so lucky!
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My '95 oil drain is on the side like a TJ, along with TJ belt-routing, a TJ throttle body, and a hybrid transfer case with internals resembling both the TJ and YJ. The '95.5 YJ and TJ's used a different oil pump and the earlier oil pans will not fit, the sumps are shaped differently.
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I went with SkidRow. Very pleased with oil pan skid and so are many of my friends. Taken many of rocks to it and has held up very well. I have a YJ so I need to go with Kilby for gas tank skid. The Skidrow plates bolt up real easy on the TJ's, as most of my friends have TJ's and all run Skidrow.
For those interested in getting Skidrow gas tank skid, make it known to Skidrow. I talked with the owner last year at the PA Jeep show and he said if the market calls for more YJ's, he will design one and put it out.
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Is there any way to to make this work on my '92 YJ? I've got the AX15 installed.
At $44, it's cheap enough. For the hassle of finding somebody to weld one for me, it may be worth it.
(http://www.extrememetalproducts.com/images/empouilpanskid.jpg)
http://www.extrememetalproducts.com/4WD-Accessories/Rock-Crawler/c23/p179/Jeep-TJ-Oil-Pan-Skid-Plate/product_info.html?osCsid=fa42b921e450d617975d0287753c9c61 (http://www.extrememetalproducts.com/4WD-Accessories/Rock-Crawler/c23/p179/Jeep-TJ-Oil-Pan-Skid-Plate/product_info.html?osCsid=fa42b921e450d617975d0287753c9c61)
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Is there any way to to make this work on my '92 YJ? I've got the AX15 installed.
At $44, it's cheap enough. For the hassle of finding somebody to weld one for me, it may be worth it.
(http://www.extrememetalproducts.com/images/empouilpanskid.jpg)
http://www.extrememetalproducts.com/4WD-Accessories/Rock-Crawler/c23/p179/Jeep-TJ-Oil-Pan-Skid-Plate/product_info.html?osCsid=fa42b921e450d617975d0287753c9c61 (http://www.extrememetalproducts.com/4WD-Accessories/Rock-Crawler/c23/p179/Jeep-TJ-Oil-Pan-Skid-Plate/product_info.html?osCsid=fa42b921e450d617975d0287753c9c61)
even with AX15 you still have the 4 cyl bellhousing so that's where the problem is - but i think you can most likely drill other holes and cut/grind off if there are clearance issues with it (on the vertical part close to the oil pan you might need to take some of the material off, not sure though)
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If you go through that much trouble go to a steel yard buy a 1/4 plate remnant and go to town would probably cost ya less than 10 bucks. All the material; for my engine and trans skid cost 30 bucks and that is with a shiny aluminum plate on it
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*Revive*
I finally got the gas tank skid from EMP and installed it while enlarging my tank to 19 gallons and putting on a rear track bar bracket. I also installed the steering skid and am picking up a riddler D30 cover and a cheap D35 guard for the rear (don't wanna put any more cash than I have to in the D35 but don't wanna get stranded on a trail either). After doing a weekend at Rausch Creek and some of it's water holes I really don't wanna take the chance to damage my oil pan. We've talked about having someone weld a custom pan skid before and the thing is that I don't know a welder and companies I go to won't do small projects like that. My situation is that I have the drain plug on the side instead of the rear. The small amount of companies out there that make skids for four bangers only make them for rear drain plugs. I can get a pan at a junk yard but I was hoping to find out if there were more differences in the pans than just the drain plug.
Will the bolt holes line up?
Will there be any clearance issues with the exhaust? or the oil sump?
Thanks guys
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Just buy a hole saw and it will not matter where the hole for the drain plug is at in the engine skid. You simply cur a new hole and call life good. Fat change you are going to find one with the drain hole in the location you want. Seems to me that cutting a hole where you need it would be the simplest solution
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I went with SkidRow. Very pleased with oil pan skid and so are many of my friends. Taken many of rocks to it and has held up very well. I have a YJ so I need to go with Kilby for gas tank skid. The Skidrow plates bolt up real easy on the TJ's, as most of my friends have TJ's and all run Skidrow.
For those interested in getting Skidrow gas tank skid, make it known to Skidrow. I talked with the owner last year at the PA Jeep show and he said if the market calls for more YJ's, he will design one and put it out.
I've got a SkidRow oil pan skid too and had it driving all of the Rubicon trail last year. It took a lot of hits because I was only on 31MTs. But I didn't bust an oil pan, so I can't complain. And it was probably holding up a lot of the weight of the vehicle at some points.
4x Doctors in Burbank, Ca. makes a gas tank skid that will fit YJs -- I've got one of those and their diff guards.
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I've got a SkidRow oil pan skid too and had it driving all of the Rubicon trail last year. It took a lot of hits because I was only on 31MTs. But I didn't bust an oil pan, so I can't complain. And it was probably holding up a lot of the weight of the vehicle at some points.
4x Doctors in Burbank, Ca. makes a gas tank skid that will fit YJs -- I've got one of those and their diff guards.
Oops, see this is a revived thread and I already said the same thing a while back