Transfer case support/skid plate ideas

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coleman02

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Joined
Feb 19, 2023
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Calgary
Hello,
I’m looking for ideas for my 03 TJ. Jeep is mostly stock besides a 2” Rough Quality lift and is a manual transmission.
Issue I’m having is that the transfer case support/skidplate keeps getting hung up when I’m driving in the forest. Occasionally a log or stump will snag the edge of the skid plate. The skid plate is starting to bend pretty badly.
I’m trying to figure out what the best solution is. I’m having a hard time finding an aftermarket skid plate that fits a manual transmission and doesn’t cost a fortune. I’m thinking of welding some kind of homemade deflector in front to prevent it from catching on stuff.

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Barnes has a skid plate that raises the TC a little under one inch. It has the beveled edges you want and is remarkably inexpensive. It is a simple install but you might need other modifications. I have a 2 inch lift and when I put the skid plate on I got some minor vibes. A double Cardan drive shaft took care of that. I also have a cable shifter for the TC.

IMG_3839.jpeg
 
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I'd be interested in finding a better option myself. Not sure what all is involved with a tummy tuck. My skid plate is really good at collecting grass and dirt on the two track desert trails that I have around me.
 
TurboTJ said:
Barnes has a skid plate that raises the TC a little under one inch. It has the beveled edges you want and is remarkably inexpensive. It is a simple install but you might need other modifications. I have a 2 inch lift and when I put the skid plate on I got some minor vibes. A double Cardan drive shaft took care of that. I also have a cable shifter for the TC.

View attachment 475365
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TurboTJ said:
Barnes has a skid plate that raises the TC a little under one inch. It has the beveled edges you want and is remarkably inexpensive. It is a simple install but you might need other modifications. I have a 2 inch lift and when I put the skid plate on I got some minor vibes. A double Cardan drive shaft took care of that. I also have a cable shifter for the TC.

View attachment 475365
Click to expand...

Hey that looks like exactly the sort of thing I need.
How would that work with a 4” suspension lift? I’m thinking of upgrading to a 4” kit seeing as my track bar bushings are shot and beat up. The Zone Offroad kit comes with a transfer case drop so I’m guessing these won’t be compatible?
No worries about driveline vibration, this is a farm Jeep that seldoms sees road speeds.
 
coleman02 said:
Hey that looks like exactly the sort of thing I need.
How would that work with a 4” suspension lift? I’m thinking of upgrading to a 4” kit seeing as my track bar bushings are shot and beat up. The Zone Offroad kit comes with a transfer case drop so I’m guessing these won’t be compatible?
No worries about driveline vibration, this is a farm Jeep that seldoms sees road speeds.
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My “vibration” was more like clutch chatter when engaging. The DC shaft solved that problem. I had no vibration at speed.
 
coleman02 said:
I’m trying to figure out what the best solution is. I’m having a hard time finding an aftermarket skid plate that fits a manual transmission and doesn’t cost a fortune. I’m thinking of welding some kind of homemade deflector in front to prevent it from catching on stuff.
Click to expand...

Another option.
Hammer flat and/or cut the front edge, then add an engine skid that attaches to the front of the trans skid.
 
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LONGJP2 said:
Another option.
Hammer flat and/or cut the front edge, then add an engine skid that attaches to the front of the trans skid.
Click to expand...

That was generally my impression as well-

Even if I had to slice it in a 2-3 spots and bend it up with a crescent wrench it’s coming up - that’s a scoop right there.
 
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