Suggestions on Fixing a Custom Skid Plate

[Nightshade]

Howdy folks!

My TJ has two skid plates. A standard one that is bolted to the frame and another one that is a customized long rectangular piece that is connected to the skid plate with two dome bolts and nuts. This long skid plate goes almost all the way to the front axle.

Here's where the long skid plate is connected to the main skid plate.



The issue is this; the long skid plate has been fabricated with connections that are bolted to the lower front control arms. Both the skid plate and front lower control arms use the same bolt to connect it to the frame as seen here.

Driver Side

Passenger Side

If the transmission, or other parts that this skid plate covers, needs service the bolts for the front lower control arms have to come off to take off the skid plate. I have been told that this could cause alignment issues. Now I would like to keep the skid plate because of the protection it provides to the transmission.

How would I go about fixing this to where the bolt for the lower control arms do not need to come off to remove the skid plate?

 

[Chris]

No, you won't have any alignment issues if you remove those front lower control arm bolts to get the skid plate off. I think you'll be just fine to be honest. Even if you did have to align it, the TJ is one of the easiest vehicles to align you'll ever find. I align mine all the time in my garage, and it takes me maybe 10 minutes. See @Jerry Bransford's thread on How to align your Jeep Wrangler TJ if in doubt.

Weld a separate attachment to the control arm mount that is sort of like a half square. It would have a hole through it, and then a bolt going through it with a washer and nut on the other side to hold the skid plate on. Does this make sense? If not, I can draw something and upload a photo for you so you know what I'm talking about.