Recommendations for a belly-up skid for 2002 TJ auto

[Alxmarquez23]

I finally got my 1st Jeep . I was trying to piece together a parts list for a tummy tuck.
I really wanted to get A savvy tc skid plate but it looks like they don’t make for a 02 auto. I also saw UCF tc skid, Does anybody run it. How do you like it ? Any recommendations besides savvy or ucf...
Thanks in advance.

 

[astjp2]

I have the UCF on a YJ, its stout. I will put on one on my LJ eventually.

 

[Alxmarquez23]

I have the UCF on a YJ, its stout. I will put on one on my LJ eventually.

Looks like ucf will Probably be the route I take. I was just wondering because it seems like the choices for Older tj with automatics have Limited choices when it comes to the tc skid.

 

[01TJ-Blues]

Teraflex offers one also, not quite as ticked as the Savvy but the auto limits options.


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[Chris]

Rokmen makes nice stuff, it's not as flat as the Savvy, but it's well made, and it's very, very stout.

You'll also need a 1" body lift, 1" MML, SYE / DC driveshaft, upper adjustable rear control arms (at a minimum), preferably a transfer case cable shifter (Savvy is the best one to get), and you will also need some minor exhaust modifications more than likely.

 

[Chris]

That's interesting that Savvy makes this one:

https://savvyoffroad.com/product/uam-early/
But it doesn't work on the automatics. Just out of curiosity, do you know why that is Blaine?

 

[Alxmarquez23]

Rokmen makes nice stuff, it's not as flat as the Savvy, but it's well made, and it's very, very stout.

You'll also need a 1" body lift, 1" MML, SYE / DC driveshaft, upper adjustable rear control arms (at a minimum), preferably a transfer case cable shifter (Savvy is the best one to get), and you will also need some minor exhaust modifications more than likely.

I’ve looked at rokmen but again doesn’t fix 02 auto.
I already have a body lift , and a savvy shifter cable. Rear uppers are next.

 

[Chris]

I’ve looked at rokmen but again doesn’t fix 02 auto.
I already have a body lift , and a savvy shifter cable. Rear uppers are next.

Bizarre. Not sure what's up with nothing fitting the 97-02 automatics. I don't get that.

 

[Alxmarquez23]

Bizarre. Not sure what's up with nothing fitting the 97-02 automatics. I don't get that.

I know right ...
ucf seems to be one of the only few for make one... I just wanted some insight from someone with the same setup.

 

[Chris]

I know right ...
ucf seems to be one of the only few for make one... I just wanted some insight from someone with the same setup.

More will chime in I'm sure. @mrblaine likely knows why it is that very few make them for the 97-02 automatics, which I am curious about after discovering this.

 

[OldButStillJeeping]

I run a UCF highest clearance tuck. But it's on my 2005 auto. I don't know what the hangup is with your year automatic Jeeps. Personally, it's the best offroad performance mod I have ever done.
If you don't know, a tuck is a project. Worth it, but a big project. Not a bolt on and go affair. Clearancing the tub and moving small appendages out of the way. And redrilling mount holes, etc. Fit, refit, etc.
I'm no pro but it took me a few days to get it right on my 05' TJ. Welding was involved.
If your jeep is a daily driver, it will take some serious planning.

 

[Alxmarquez23]

I run a UCF highest clearance tuck. But it's on my 2005 auto. I don't know what the hangup is with your year automatic Jeeps. Personally, it's the best offroad performance mod I have ever done.
If you don't know, a tuck is a project. Worth it, but a big project. Not a bolt on and go affair. Clearancing the tub and moving small appendages out of the way. And redrilling mount holes, etc. Fit, refit, etc.
I'm no pro but it took me a few days to get it right on my 05' TJ. Welding was involved.
If your jeep is a daily driver, it will take some serious planning.

Lucky my tj is not my daily. I only take it for a spin on the weekends to go wheeling and that’s not every weekend. I got a transfer case drop now, so I need to get a sye and adjustable control arms anyways. And I would like to tummy tuck it while I’m at it. I am in no rush , and trying to do as much research as possible.

What did you have to weld. Did you go with a crossmember to holdup the trans

 

[OldButStillJeeping]

Lucky my tj is not my daily. I only take it for a spin on the weekends to go wheeling and that’s not every weekend. I got a transfer case drop now, so I need to get a sye and adjustable control arms anyways. And I would like to tummy tuck it while I’m at it. I am in no rush , and trying to do as much research as possible.

What did you have to weld. Did you go with a crossmember to holdup the trans

I had to shorten the exhaust bracket btwn the tub and skid. Cut out about 1 1/4". Welded it back together. One could do it by cutting the braket, and drilling. And then bolt it together.
But I used a flux core MIG. It's faster, cleaner. And I own one so it worked out.

 

[OldButStillJeeping]

Oh, and no crossmember; but I used jack stands strategically placed. & No LowPro mount used.

 

[Alxmarquez23]

I had to shorten the exhaust bracket btwn the tub and skid. Cut out about 1 1/4". Welded it back together. One could do it by cutting the braket, and drilling. And then bolt it together.
But I used a flux core MIG. It's faster, cleaner. And I own one so it worked out.

I was planning on taking it to a muffler shop for any exhaust mods .

 

[Alxmarquez23]

I was planning on taking it to a muffler shop for any exhaust mods .

Any vibration issues

 

[OldButStillJeeping]

I was planning on taking it to a muffler shop for any exhaust mods .

That makes sense. And your year's Jeep exhaust mounts are probably a different situation.
In my case, the cat was resting directly on the skid. It would have been a loud and miserable drive to a muffler shop. Then they would have to remove the skid to see....WTF is going on.
I would suggest that you call UCF. You can ask WTF is with your auto and year. They are good folks and will help you out.

 

[mrblaine]

That's interesting that Savvy makes this one:

https://savvyoffroad.com/product/uam-early/
But it doesn't work on the automatics. Just out of curiosity, do you know why that is Blaine?

Yes, the 97-02 auto has the trans mount in a completely different location from the manual. The manual has the mount in very close proximity to the later auto and manual mount locations. The early location for the auto means a complete stand-alone kit has to be designed for it with a unique cross member to hold up the drivetrain with the skid removed. That is due to the location of the cat and how far forward the trans mount is. The cross member would have to be a Z shape with some engineering challenges to put in production and then it would share no common parts with the other Savvy system except for the engine skid.

The x-member has to mount as far behind the CV on the driveshaft for clearance there, shoot across until it just gets past the mounting pad on the trans for the trans mount, and then dogleg forward to miss the cat and attach to the frame. Giant pain in the ass that will raise too many questions as to how it works. I know it works since I've done them for custom skids, but not much fun.

Given the difficulty of the design, lack of parts sharing, and the low demand, it was not made.

 

[Alxmarquez23]

Yes, the 97-02 auto has the trans mount in a completely different location from the manual. The manual has the mount in very close proximity to the later auto and manual mount locations. The early location for the auto means a complete stand-alone kit has to be designed for it with a unique cross member to hold up the drivetrain with the skid removed. That is due to the location of the cat and how far forward the trans mount is. The cross member would have to be a Z shape with some engineering challenges to put in production and then it would share no common parts with the other Savvy system except for the engine skid.

The x-member has to mount as far behind the CV on the driveshaft for clearance there, shoot across until it just gets past the mounting pad on the trans for the trans mount, and then dogleg forward to miss the cat and attach to the frame. Giant pain in the ass that will raise too many questions as to how it works. I know it works since I've done them for custom skids, but not much fun.

Given the difficulty of the design, lack of parts sharing, and the low demand, it was not made.

So I’m curious what you think about a ucf skid . It says it fits.

 

[mrblaine]

So I’m curious what you think about a ucf skid . It says it fits.

No idea.