Transfer case skid plate questions

[Bstahl875]

2002 that had a 4” lift and I installed 2” in back and 2.75” up front. Last night while under the Jeep I noticed one of the bolts missing on the transfer case skid plate and another extremely loose. I will fix/replace those bolts. My question is really: the case appears lowered by about an inch…..do I need to remove those spacers and mount the plate back to the frame? Or can I just replace and tighten those bolts and be good to go?

 

[L J]

Those cylindrical pieces are drop spacers. Someone installed them to fix or try to avoid driveline vibrations from the 4" lift. You can leave them as is. If you've gone down to 2ish" lift, you can remove them and see if you get any driveline vibrations. If yes, put them back.

 

[Bstahl875]

Those cylindrical pieces are drop spacers. Someone installed them to fix or try to avoid driveline vibrations from the 4" lift. You can leave them as is. If you've gone down to 2ish" lift, you can remove them and see if you get any driveline vibrations. If yes, put them back.

Honestly I’d like to avoid removing them. I’ll just get everything tightened up and see how she drives when I’m done with the lift. Thanks for the info.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

So you went from 4" to 2" in the rear and 2 3/4" in the front? Can you tell if your rear driveshaft is an aftermarket double-cardan type? The factory driveshaft only has 2 u-joints total, one in the rear and one in the front. An aftermarket DC driveshaft has 3 u-joints, 2 in the front and 1 in the rear. I ask to be able to answer your question on those spacers between the frame and skidplate. And if at all possible those spacers should be removed, they're only a band-aid fix for drivetrain vibrations.

 

[tnjeepguy]

His driveshaft, looks double.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

His driveshaft, looks double.
View attachment 443419

Perfect, time to remove those tcase spacers which are doing nothing good for your TJ.

 

[JMT]

Honestly I’d like to avoid removing them. I’ll just get everything tightened up and see how she drives when I’m done with the lift. Thanks for the info.

I’d remove those spacers. They’re doing nothing for you at 2” and you have a double cardan shaft. Leaving the spacers is like brushing your teeth with two toothbrushes simultaneously.

 

[Viking Jeeper]

A lot of bargain lifts include the spacers even though it's often a specific one jeep vs another as to if they are really needed. I removed mine, no problems.

 

[tnjeepguy]

More basic than that; the point of a lift is to get bigger tires and get up over stuff. When the skid plate hangs down another inch or so that is defeating the whole purpose of having a Jeep that has more ground clearance.

 

[Bstahl875]

I’d remove those spacers. They’re doing nothing for you at 2” and you have a double cardan shaft. Leaving the spacers is like brushing your teeth with two toothbrushes simultaneously.

I plan to replace all of the bolts anyway so I guess I’ll pull the spacers while I’m at it. No need to brush my teeth with two toothbrushes.

 

[Bstahl875]

A lot of bargain lifts include the spacers even though it's often a specific one jeep vs another as to if they are really needed. I removed mine, no problems.

I believe the original lift was a Rough Country based on feedback on this forum.

I did a mix match to lower it. JKS springs, Rancho shocks, Teraflex sway bar links, core4x4 adjustable control arms.

 

[GPK03X]

You may have a spinning nutsert or two on your TC skid plate. I’m guessing that is why one bolt is missing and another is loose.