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Here is how I made a transfer case skid plate for my xj which I based off the ones found on Toyota Land Cruisers. Because I couldn't put all the bends and ridges in it, it is a little floppier that I wanted but I think it will hold up well and protect the transfer case.
I started by making a nut strip to weld into the crossmember to bolt the skid plate in. Here is the cardboard template that I used to make it fit perfectly.
Here is the cardboard template with areas cut into it for welding. The metal piece looked exactly like this.
Here is the nut strip welded into the crossmember and painted. It is painted on the other side as well to prevent rusting. I used the three holes on the driver's side of the crossmember that aren't used for anything to put the nuts into
Here is the skid plate. It is made of 1/8" sheet metal. To make the bends, I made a score mark on the other side with a grinder. I also welded gussets on the end.
Here is a close-up of the drain I put into it (and my crappy welding). In the background you can see drain holes as well as holes to bolt it on.
Here is is being painted with bedliner. I think mud will probably get caught in the corners where the gussets are but hopefully there are enough drain holes to where I can wash it out. I didn't want to make the holes too big so that rocks can't poke through and get stuck in there.
Here is is all bolted in. You can see two extra gussets I put right where it meets the crossmember so that there will be more rigidity. They are triangular so probably won't get caught on rocks etc.
There were definitely things I could have done better but I think it's pretty good for my first major fabrication project. I'm curious to see how it holds up on the rocks since it's pretty redneck but I will post an update if anything breaks. I would love any suggestions because I may make a similar one for the tranny pan.
Here is how I made a transfer case skid plate for my xj which I based off the ones found on Toyota Land Cruisers. Because I couldn't put all the bends and ridges in it, it is a little floppier that I wanted but I think it will hold up well and protect the transfer case.
I started by making a nut strip to weld into the crossmember to bolt the skid plate in. Here is the cardboard template that I used to make it fit perfectly.
Here is the cardboard template with areas cut into it for welding. The metal piece looked exactly like this.
Here is the nut strip welded into the crossmember and painted. It is painted on the other side as well to prevent rusting. I used the three holes on the driver's side of the crossmember that aren't used for anything to put the nuts into
Here is the skid plate. It is made of 1/8" sheet metal. To make the bends, I made a score mark on the other side with a grinder. I also welded gussets on the end.
Here is a close-up of the drain I put into it (and my crappy welding). In the background you can see drain holes as well as holes to bolt it on.
Here is is being painted with bedliner. I think mud will probably get caught in the corners where the gussets are but hopefully there are enough drain holes to where I can wash it out. I didn't want to make the holes too big so that rocks can't poke through and get stuck in there.
Here is is all bolted in. You can see two extra gussets I put right where it meets the crossmember so that there will be more rigidity. They are triangular so probably won't get caught on rocks etc.
There were definitely things I could have done better but I think it's pretty good for my first major fabrication project. I'm curious to see how it holds up on the rocks since it's pretty redneck but I will post an update if anything breaks. I would love any suggestions because I may make a similar one for the tranny pan.
04-29-2018, 02:05 PM
Toyota style T-case skid
