Skid plate recommendations for LJ

[Rick2004LJ]

Starting a new thread to get some specific advice on skid plate replacement.
2004 LJ Auto Trans with 4" lift - Jeep has what I assume are OEM transmission & Transfer Case skid plates. The previous owner added spacers to the OEM skid plate mounting bolts to clear the drive shaft after lift install:

Did some serious crawling last weekend and managed to damage the front mounting bolts on the OEM Transmission skid plate. Drivers side pulled mounting bolt out and looks like I lost the nutsert, and mounting hole looks like it has been wallowed out:

Passenger side bolt is still tight but it took some whacks and looks rough:

Looking for recommendations on ways to repair/replace. I think the front holes for the trans plate are too damaged to get a nutsert to properly hold which makes repair somewhat involved & expensive? Assuming that is the case, I think the best bet is to at least replace just the trans plate with something that will also cover the oil pan. From my initial shopping it looks like the aftermarket versions will NOT use the OEM mounting holes in front and will mount to the OEM Transfer Case skid plate in the back (see bolts circled in picture)?:

Is this correct, and what brands/models do y'all recommend?

I know it would be best to replace both the Trans and TC plates at the same time, but I dont have deep pockets, so would rather replace the skid plates one piece at a time. Any major problems doing it piecemeal like this?
Is there a manufacturer out there that is affordable enough to do both?
I see aluminum and steel versions - what are the pros/cons or one vs the other?

Basically looking for advice and product recommendations. Any help appreciated!

 

[IPerkWVU]

Take a look at the UCF oil pan / trans skid. You may have to drill a few new holes in your OEM transfer case skid but that should be easy. I'd give Matt a call there and explain your situation. Aluminum will save a few LBs and not prone to rust, steel is cheaper but can be painted and touched up easy.

 

[Rob5589]

The "issue" you will find is there are no direct replacement skids. I say "issue" because you will have to do a least a mini tuck which will push the case up for more clearance. Not a big deal, and actually a great mod, if running a sye and adjustable control arms. For a close to direct replacement you can use the Barnes skid which will give you a bit over an inch extra clearance with minimal driveline changes ( @bobthetj03 has one). Or you can do a full tuck from Savvy, UCF, or others, which will be far more involved.

Just FYI, those drop spacers are to reduce/eliminate driveline vibrations due to lifting and increasing the angles, not to clearance the shafts themselves.

 

[bobthetj03]

Just ditch the trany skid alltogether. Us manual trans folks don't even have one.

 

[MountaineerTom]

I used a Savvy engine skid mated yo the OEM transfer case skid.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...pan-valve-using-oem-transfer-case-skid.15366/

 

[pagrey]

The front driveshaft has hit the skid, you can see the marks on it. If you do anything other than drive to the mall you probably want a skid. I don't know what Bob is talking about. Unlike a manual transmission you have a huge oil pan that doesn't play well with rocks. UCF is a great idea.

 

[Rick2004LJ]

I used a Savvy engine skid mated yo the OEM transfer case skid.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...pan-valve-using-oem-transfer-case-skid.15366/

Was your Jeep lifted etc? Other than the little metal shaving did you have to mod anything else? I like this option!!!

 

[Camdenst]

+1 for UCF Al skids. Haven’t tested them yet but they bolted right up and look the part... that’s 2/3rds of the way there. Like Iperk said start with an oil pan skid and put new holes in your factory tcase skid.

 

[Chris]

Savvy, all the way.

Seriously, the Savvy skid plates have to be the best engineered, well designed skid plates out there... and they're aluminum!

 

[Camdenst]

Did UCF copy savvy on their design... they seem to be identical, hardware as well.

 

[MountaineerTom]

Was your Jeep lifted etc? Other than the little metal shaving did you have to mod anything else? I like this option!!!

Yes, 2 inch OME spring lift. Got 2.5 inches with HD springs. No other mods needed. And like @Chris said, it’s aluminum. Braces and brackets up front are steel though.

 

[astjp2]

https://www.barnes4wd.com/Jeep-TJ-2-Drop-Skid-Plate-_p_229.html

 

[astjp2]

Did UCF copy savvy on their design... they seem to be identical, hardware as well.

UCF is at least 12 years old...

 

[jjvw]

UCF is at least 12 years old...

And UFC looks nothing like the Savvy skid. Savvy has a much smaller profile than any other bolt on raised skid kit that I am aware of.