Removing Skyjacker skid plate spacers

[andy29847]

My 2004 Rubicon was already lifted when I bought it. It was lifted with a Skyjacker 4" Lift Kit. The parts were showing some wear when I bought it, and it didn't drive very well, so I have been changing out to higher quality components. A Currie Correctlink steering kit and a Currie Track Bar fixed my steering. Currie control arms replaced the Skyjacker stuff this spring. A JKS rear Trackbar is on the rear. Both driveshafts have double Cardan joints. I also put in a Savvey cable shifter. She drives GREAT!

Today I removed the transmission skid plate to clean and paint the frame where the plate attaches. My skid plate has a 1 1/2" spacer between the plate and the frame that I believe was part of the Skyjacker kit. I am seeking advice for the steps needed to remove the spacers. Would removing the spacers be the same as a tummy tuck? What is the wisdom of the list.

 

[tworley]

4" lift will require adjustable control arms to dial your pinion back in. No need for a slip yoke eliminator because you don't have one to eliminate being a rubicon

 

[AndyG]

My 2004 Rubicon was already lifted when I bought it. It was lifted with a Skyjacker 4" Lift Kit. The parts were showing some wear when I bought it, and it didn't drive very well, so I have been changing out to higher quality components. A Currie Correctlink steering kit and a Currie Track Bar fixed my steering. Currie control arms replaced the Skyjacker stuff this spring. A JKS rear Trackbar is on the rear. Both driveshafts have double Cardan joints. I also put in a Savvey cable shifter. She drives GREAT!

Today I removed the transmission skid plate to clean and paint the frame where the plate attaches. My skid plate has a 1 1/2" spacer between the plate and the frame that I believe was part of the Skyjacker kit. I am seeking advice for the steps needed to remove the spacers. Would removing the spacers be the same as a tummy tuck? What is the wisdom of the list.

I’m watching this one ...I had an ol skyjacker kit ....drove horrible.


I may have the same spacer ...as if a Rubicon transfer case isn’t low enough !

 

[Chris]

4" lift will require adjustable control arms to dial your pinion back in. No need for a slip yoke eliminator because you don't have one to eliminate being a rubicon

X2. You'll also need a double cardan driveshaft as well.

 

[Squatch]

X2. You'll also need a double cardan driveshaft as well.

He stated that he already has those...

"Both driveshafts have double Cardan joints."

 

[Chris]

He stated that he already has those...

"Both driveshafts have double Cardan joints."

Missed that.

 

[andy29847]

Not knowing how the Skyjacker lift was installed is part of my problem. I think the trans was lowered to keep the drive shaft lined up. If that's true, then I should be able to just jack the trans/engine back up. I'd try that but I'm scared I'll break something expensive. When supporting the trans and engine while removing the skid plate, I noticed that the trans doesn't move up easily.

 

[tworley]

Not knowing how the Skyjacker lift was installed is part of my problem. I think the trans was lowered to keep the drive shaft lined up. If that's true, then I should be able to just jack the trans/engine back up. I'd try that but I'm scared I'll break something expensive. When supporting the trans and engine while removing the skid plate, I noticed that the trans doesn't move up easily.

Its helping the driveline angles. But put it back to its original location and guaranteed you will have vibrations with 4" of lift. You will need adjustable control arms to get the pinion back in relation to the output shaft

 

[andy29847]

I think I have this figured out. I should be searching "transfer case drop" for info. I have adjustable control arms and a double carden driveshaft. I could remove the spacer, but I will probably need to adjust the rear pinion angle. This may cause problems with my shocks and rear trackbar. Hmmmmm, I think I'll watch TV today.

 

[glwood]

I think I have this figured out. I should be searching "transfer case drop" for info. I have adjustable control arms and a double carden driveshaft. I could remove the spacer, but I will probably need to adjust the rear pinion angle. This may cause problems with my shocks and rear teackbar. Hmmmmm, I think I'll watch TV today.

Bottom spring perches can be notched, and an angled track bar bracket installed.

 

[kellymcgraw]

@andy29847 Question for ya below... I also bought a '05 Rubicon a year ago that came with this same SJ 4" lift kit and the more I read about it on this awesome forum the more I want to do the same as you did, replace parts for it. So far I've replaced the rear control arms with an adjustable one and I'm about to replace the fronts with adjustable ones as well and add new coil springs.

I've been reading a lot about the transfer case drop vs using a CV drive shaft and the best way to go is the CV drive shaft (*per many posts from @Chris). So it would seem though that you left your transfer case drop in place and also installed new CV drive shafts, is that the case? If so, are there issues with this change that you know of (or anyone else for that matter)?

I also want to add new rear CV Drive Shaft from Tom Woods and remove the transfer case but not yet sure what the fall out could be.