Well fabin up a front tube bumper finaly, and i was wanting a skid plate on it. So I have it all set up and have an idea of how I was going to do it but i dont know if it would interfear with any of the front end parts(Drag link and tie rod mostly) Here are some pics i wasnt sure when offroading if flexin around would cause them to hit. Sorry for bad pics taken with phone.

 

not gonna work out... study up on these
stock front skid
http://image.jpmagazine.com/f/262586...+skidplate.jpg

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...s/IMG_0492.jpg

and Rustys version
http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/DSC_0183.jpg
http://rustysoffroad.com/mm5/merchan...y_Code=xj_skid

 

yeah thats gonna bend as soon as you hit something.

 

yea the stock configuration is the best platform to go on if your going with a homebrew skid IMO, as far as OEM skids go jeep actually did a pretty damn good job, and speaking from experience i know the stock front skid can take some good hits, however if your running larger steering [IE:V8 ZJ or aftermarket] you may run into an issue with an OEM front skid brace on the lower lip rubbing on the drag link adjuster when turning or articulating, at least it did on mine to the point it was throwing off my steering wheel, in order to fix it i had to notch and reinforce the brace....i can get pics if ya need as pics are easier to understand than my ramblings

 

I see the stock picks and it may take some hits but what parts does it actually protect? It looks too short to do much for the steering which is sorta fragil but it only seems to cover an empty void from my standpoint.

 

I had to ditch the stock skid due to the drag link catching the lip of the skid when drooping out the pass side. I bent 2 DL's before I realized where the issue was.

I'm at 5.5" lift

 

I'm at 4.5 no issues

 

yea at first it sounded like a motor mount had crapped the bed, then a day later i noticed my steering wheel was WAY off center.

yea but are you running stock steering, mine was fine with stock steering as soon as i went to larger ZJ linkage first time off road this all happened and im also at 4.5".

either way like i said it was an easy 15min fix and didnt cost me anything cause i had all the steel already

 

Ah I see, sorry I didnt know/read that. My bad, yeah I'm all stock.

 

You don't need a front skid, learn to drive and take good lines you wont hit your steering on anything.

But the factory skid is good enough IMO, I wouldn't spend any more money then the 15$ I got mine for either, find one online or in a JY, just my opinion.

 

X2 on price i got mine for $10

 

Thank you everyone for your ideas and thoughts, I think ima pick one up from the jy and call it good!