jekyllrider

Does anybody have a factory front skid plate on a lifted cherokee? Im wondering what kind of problems I may run into if I get one, I have about 3" of lift.

Thanks

EndlessMtnFab

Shouldn't have any problems ... other than it won't protect as well because the lift has pushed the axle and steering components further out (and away) from the skid.


I believe there is an old post/thread on MadXJ on how to extend your factory skid to get a bit more protection again.



Joe

a1racer

it should work pretty good just wont cover as well as it could like said

muddeprived

Factory front skid with 4" lift:





You won't run into any issues. The only bad thing about it is it makes troubleshooting/repairing steering parts a ***** cuz you have to somehow break up your arms and wrist into pieces so you can wiggle/slide/shove them through the steering components to reach what you are trying to fix.

The benefits of running the skid are protection of whatever's back there (i bent a draglink on a log before) and it pushes the water away from the fan when fording rivers or mud holes. This keeps the fan from throwing up all that mud and crap onto your engine.

Dan4governor

I have a stock skid I grabbed at a junk yard on my jeep with 2" lift and it still does a good job protecting my jeep.

Dan4governor

I can't find that thread but I'm interested now. post a link if you can find it.

muddeprived

all you need is square tubing and make some spacers for the rear bolts then get longer bolts. it's the same concept as making a t-case drop. the square tubing goes across the front under the bumper and maybe a hockey puck on the passenger side rear mount. the driver's side uses one bolt so you can use whatever you have to space that down too.

EndlessMtnFab

I don't see it either.



I checked the old Cherokee America website too.



It's been a long time ... but I think it was a combination of what Muddeprived suggested and some round tubing on the bottom lip.



Google might be your friend here.


Joe

Dan4governor

Sounds simple enough...got a new weekend project. I've heard you can use hockey pucks to extend bump stops too, is that true? Would I just place them in the bottom of my coil springs? will they stay, do I need to bolt them down or glue them or something?

djlarroc

Why don't you just get a dana 30 skid? I've seen them online for like $40. Or you can make one. I suck at that stuff, so I'm just going to order mine.

muddeprived

Yup, alot of us do that:

muddeprived

The dana 30 skid covers only the axle cover. The OP is talking about the full front skid plate that protects the steering components. Having both is even better.

MISFITXJ

how many pucks would you use for about 4.5" of lift? how do you secure them? i have 3" springs up front and will be usein some jks adj. coil spacers.thanks

muddeprived

I used three on my 3" lift but haven't added anything when I went up to 4". My sway bar stays connected all the time so i don't really worry about them. You need to flex on a hill and get your tire about 1/2" or 1" from touching your fender or rubbing and then check to see how much space is between the lower coil mount and bumpstop. Once you get that measurement then you'll know how many pucks to add. Pucks are 1" thick.

There is a hole in the middle of the bottom plate. I just drilled it out to fit 1/4" bolts and bolted them all together. Some people use rtv, some use epoxy, and i've seen one person use wood glue. LOL!

MISFITXJ

right on man, dose the same apply if you are gonna chop the fenders?
i will have disco's too