SCarolinaXJ

I just picked up a stock skid plate off craigslist, the one that protects the steering components.

It appears that the holes are already there, does anyone know what size and grade of bolts I need to get?

Thanks (2001 XJ)

Crustychuck

I would also like to know!

XJ.89.Limited

Man, I wish I could remember the exact size of the bolts. I literally just put the skid on a few weeks ago. I'd take them back out and check but they were a pain to get in (skid is bent a little). Right now it's also after midnight and pouring rain, haha. I'll see what I can do tomorrow if the rain stops and post again.

SCarolinaXJ

I think I've found it, they should be M10x1.5x40:

http://www.justforjeeps.com/skidplates4.html

Crustychuck

has anyone considered placing a thick peice of metal with matching holes on top of where you mount the front of the skid plate? Because the place where the front of the skid plates looks really flimsy to me... I was thinking if I had a thick gauge peice of steel above it, and sandwitched the flimsy cherokee front mounting point for the skid plate between the skid and some thick gauge stuff it might strengthen it a bit...

XJ.89.Limited

Trust me, that front skid is plenty strong the way it's mounted from factory. You can put some extra metal there, but it's not really needed. A friend of mine said he could jack up the front end by the skid, which means it has to be pretty damn strong.

salad

The OEM front skid is bolted to the frame rails on the sides and along the rad support at the front and has like 3/4" angle iron along the rear of it. If you're messing that up you should be already making some 3/16ths armor anyway.

Hmmmmm I haven't put mine on yet but there are nuts(serts) for this? I thought it was all untapped holes waiting for hardware.

XJ.89.Limited

My frame holes were originally tapped I believe, but I re-tapped mine because the threads were gone with rust. The frame bolts went right in after that. The tapping was also pretty easy, which is why I think the holes were just covered with rust and the tap basically cleaned the threads. As for the rad support up front, my buddy and I just used some nylock nuts for the top of the stud, and used the original nuts on the bottom side of the studs. Basically clamping the skid to the support with the stud in the middle as a support. Same as factory really. For not having OEM hardware, just use some good bolts that'll fit in the holes and some nuts to go along with it.

XJ.89.Limited

Also, the studs go in a certain way with the little lip sandwiched between the skid and the support. I'm 99% sure it goes like that, and I can check for sure tomorrow if it's a big deal.

salad

Hmm I have something to look forward to then lol. You lost me at studs and two nuts - was there a reason to not use a nut/bolt to secure the front?

XJ.89.Limited

Using a nut and bolt should be fine for the front, just use washers in there too. It's hard to explain how to mount it with the OEM hardware, haha. A bolt through the top of the hole and a nut on the bottom should work fine. I don't exactly know why the factory used studs. Maybe to make it easier to put the skid on since the studs won't move around when installing it. A bolt can move around and be pushed right back out of the hole since it's not tightened down on the support first by a nut.

salad

Ah, okay. I understand now. Thanks!

XJ.89.Limited

Yupp, no problem! Sorry for being confusing, haha.