Why is there a skid plate under the transfer case?

There are three support points for the engine/transmission/transfer case assembly. The two motor mounts up front and the transmission mount that is bolted onto the top of the transfer case skid plate.
 
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The skid plate also functions as a cross member that supports the transmission and transfer case.

It does until you get sick of that supporting the trans and Tcase and build a stand alone mount so you can drop the skid for access and maintenance without supporting them. Man I wish I had done it years ago now that I have done it.

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It does until you get sick of that supporting the trans and Tcase and build a stand alone mount so you can drop the skid for access and maintenance without supporting them. Man I wish I had done it years ago now that I have done it.

I'm with you 100%.
I did a tuck with Savvy and getting rid of the shovel was a major improvement!
 
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It does until you get sick of that supporting the trans and Tcase and build a stand alone mount so you can drop the skid for access and maintenance without supporting them. Man I wish I had done it years ago now that I have done it.

View attachment 345676

I wished UCF made a separate crossmember instead of incorporating it into their skid plate...
 
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It does until you get sick of that supporting the trans and Tcase and build a stand alone mount so you can drop the skid for access and maintenance without supporting them. Man I wish I had done it years ago now that I have done it.

View attachment 345676

I made my own as well. I modeled it after the old 33 Engineering crossmember and skid plate. I love being able to drop the skid plate and work on it without having to jack up the drive train.
 
It does until you get sick of that supporting the trans and Tcase and build a stand alone mount so you can drop the skid for access and maintenance without supporting them. Man I wish I had done it years ago now that I have done it.

View attachment 345676


Looks exposed.

Ever worry about getting bonks and stonks on your TC?
 
Nope, that's my own creation. Inspired by many around this community.

Your mount appears to allow no rotation of the power train around the torque axis. I would think that after awhile the metal plate that bolts to the TC might fatigue and fail due to this.