Bullet Proof Vest
I almost learned the hard way that it's not a good idea to let rookies drive your Jeep when my buddy Chris smacked my oil pan on a tree root (see Trail Damage2). Either that or get yourself a skid plate. There are lots of different kinds out there, and most of the good ones you need to have a big lift that's compatable. Turns out that one of my buddy's friends got rid of his Jeep and stripped off all the aftermarket stuff. He had a Mopar Oil Pan Skid that fits on the stock T-case skid that he hooked me up with. The only thing was that he cut off the mount that wraps over the front driveline cause it rubbed with the lift he had on his Jeep. He said it worked ok that way and since it was free I said "FUCK YA!!!" Now I won't have to worry about taking shots to the heart of my Jeep....NO BLEEDERS!!
Installation
This was a pretty easy install, much easier if you have a buddy to give you a hand. I had to use a couple of buckets to prop up the skid so I could wrech the bolts. Since the guy who had the skid before me cut off one of the arm brackets, I only had to unbolt one of my control arms. I got 2 sets of grade 8 nuts, bolts, washers from the local hardware store to attach the oil pan skid to the T-case skid.
Put to the Test
Well, it didn't take long to put this skid to the test. First trip out with it on Memorial Weekend '04 I tried to go over a huge rock with a huge breakover angle. The result was a banana shaped skid plate. Fortunately it was there or I might have smacked my tranny so hard it might have cracked or sheered loose the bolts holding it to the motor. Now I just need to break out the pry bar and sledge to straighten it back out....... |
