More for DIY set ups. I am looking at one of those as well to use with th Nth Degree lo pro mount I have.
Barnes or Rough Country belly up skid plate?
- Thread starter Eddie Greenlee
- Start date
Yep, DIY skids. Some folks will use a Poly universal trany mount by welding some DOM to the frame, in which case you don't need holes in the skid. I just don't want to deal with all the other issues you will encounter the higher you tuck it.
OP
UCF, UCF!!!
The higher you go the more work it is. I’m planning the UCF Original Ckearance. I don’t expect much work, besides painting or anodizing the aluminum.
The higher you go the more work it is. I’m planning the UCF Original Ckearance. I don’t expect much work, besides painting or anodizing the aluminum.
OP
Well I still have not ordered a skid plate for the tummy tuck. I did call Barnes and the way they explained it was the DIY skid plates ( which seem to be more popular) do allow you to drill and paint and decide which height you need. So you are supposed to
1. support your transmission,
2. remove the stock skid plate
3. measure how far down your transfer case is below the bottom frame of the jeep
4. determine how much higher you want the transfer case to sit.
5. order the right skid plate for your liking
6 mark the transfer case to skid plate bolts with lip stick, raise the skid plate into place, remove the skid, drill the holes according to the markings, install skid plate and nuts on the exposed bolts. ( they do have some kind of bolt/nut protector so ya wont rip off the nuts when going over rocks).
The other skid plate they have is more like the stock skid with a few improvements. I do think it raises the transmission about one inch but I will make sure about that before commit to that .
Nice to get this update and explanation. Sounds rather straightforward, but it always does!
If you haven't pulled the trigger on a skid yet check out UCF. Was looking at their "extra" clearance skid vs Rokmens, and in the end UCF is offering free shipping that sealed the deal. Just got shipping confirmation yesterday!
Keep me posted on your UCF adventure. What skid exactly did you go with? Did you do the ‘system’ with the oil plate skid too? What about the lo pro mount? If this is all in another thread, I apologize, and please Redirect me!
Since I have the 241 TC I went with the "extra" clearance over the high clearance flat model. Just the TC skid, already have a oil plan skid (MC one). Installing a 1.25 BL and a 1in MML to get me the additional space ill need, and Matt at UCF said I wouldn't need the LoPro mount. I would have loved to go completely flat but really didnt want to mess around with denting up the tub to make space. Matt also recommended skipping the locker pump bracket he sells, and just relocate them to the ABS shelf.
Maybe I'll start a thread with some pictures when I go to install it.
Please do start a thread for the install. That’s the same one I’m thinking of doing next year
My guess here is your lower control arm mounts would have hit had you not removed them for the mid arm.
The new frame brackets are a bit higher, but the arms do occupy a space that the short arms didn't. It's a trade off.
Do you weld the CM to the inside of the frame? I'm assuming the CM comes with a transmission mount? How are the vibes?
Everything is included, as is the transmission mount. The cm is secured with a pair of mounts that wrap around the frame rails. No welding required.
Once I got the tub clearanced and cut a few knobs off of the 241, I have very few vibrations from the stuffed tcase. It does happen when the Jeep is twisted up just right, but it is exceedingly rare on the street. This is where I argue for the Savvy body lift. My JKS does not give me a full 1.25". That extra fraction that the aluminum Savvy pucks give would reduce that even further.
I know it's only a little over an inch tuck, but for the price, it'll fit my needs, and I won't have to re-invent the wheel with new exhaust or TC linkage, or shifter binding.
https://www.barnes4wd.com/Jeep-TJ-Bolt-On-Skid-Plate_p_867.html
https://www.barnes4wd.com/Jeep-TJ-Bolt-On-Skid-Plate_p_867.html
If would be interesting to understand why Jeep couldn't have made their skid more like that. Not having the lip and making it smooth is a significant improvement.