Hey guys, I got metal shop this year (score!) And I've got all kinds of things I want to make, roof rack, bumper caps, brush guards, rockers?, skid plates. I've already got the roof rack planned out, I expect it will be done in about 3 weeks because we haven't actually started yet. My main question is about the skid plate, I'm most concerned with my gas tank so that's the first one, my hitch doesn't go back far enough for me to use it effectively as a mount, pics later. I was wondering if I might be able to mount a custom bracket straight into the frame, drilling and welding most likely. Any help is welcomed, I'll most likely put up dimensions and plans in a different thread later

 

Just go pull a skid plate off a limited zj. Save you time so you can work on other projects while you have access to a shop

 

My gas tank skid is a factory skid I bought off my buddy but you can gind them in junkyards pretty easily. This would probably be your easiest route but I understand the want to build on yourself. The best way to mount would be the same way the factory does by bolting it staright to the uni body. If your jeep dosent have the factory nut strips like mine jcr makes some or you can go to there website and copy there design since its the same and the factory ones. As far as actually making it I would lay under there with some cardboard and mock it up that way and you can just transfer the templates to steel. That's how I mocked up my rear tubs and the came out pretty good.

 

i have a zj gas skid if your lookin

 

yeah bro just got get one, itd be so much easier than trying to make one..and you can use your time in there to make much cooler stuff like sliders and stuff rather than a skid plate..which you cant get much better than stock really..

 

So limited zjs then eh? Is there a specific year I should look for or would they all have it? And I guess next thing to do would be the roof rack, I'll upload a pic of the plans once I get the measurements squared away.
Thanks for the help!

 

X2^ any year zj also direct bolt on? Thanks guys.

 

I'm pretty sure both xj and zj with both just bolt on..but I could be wrong

 

Here's those dimensions, sorry if it's a little grainy it's from my phone. The space in front is for some future lights, the angle is to attempt to get some aerodynamics out of it, made of diamond plate for looks. I'm pondering using half inch vs full inch square tubing, i think thickness is 1/8th or 1/6. The darker thing on the right is my rendition of a gutter mount, I'll draw a bigger picture if anyone's interested.