Would a front skid plate from a 96 country fit on my 99 sport? I scored one from a junkyard for 2 bucks. Hopefully it ll fit

 

I believe so .... You will need to get some bolts for it, unless you scored
them when you got it.
I am still looking for some bolts for mine .....

Randy

 

If it fits then I plan to drill out the holes and use new grade eight hardware

 

A skid from a 98 fit my 86. The weld nuts were in the frame already too. Should be a blanket coverage. All XJ's.

 

Sound great. I guess I m gonna clean it up a bit and paint it then install on my xj

 

If your lifted over 3" it'll be pointless it won't protect anything at that height

 

The front skid is def not useless if you do a little bit of DIY. You can use some 1" square tubing to make spacers so that it protects the tie rod and drag link.

 

I like mine because it keeps crap off my alternator and sticks out of my belt/fan/radiator, and is mild protection for the steering gear. I had to cut 4 inches off the back of it to clear my crossover steering but no big deal.
Only time its a hindrance is when working on it, but its easy to remove, or trying to reverse in deep snow since it acts like a shovel

 

I love mine, I did cut the bottom half off though

 

One of benefits it have during water crossing or mud puddles is that it help protect the fans so it have less chance of sucking up the water/mud from below and spraying it all over

 

If you're deep enough, it's not going to make a difference. But I can see the benefits that everyone else has brought up. I'd put one on if I ever got my hands on one

 

What I really want to get is a engine skid though

 

If you don't have the know how to make it yourself, I know there's at least a couple companies that sell them

 

http://www.skidrowoffroad.com/Engine_MJ_XJ.asp

 

For a front skid on 1999 you're looking at two tapped holes and two untapped for the big 4 fasteners. The tapped holes (welded nut) are inside the frame rails, I found lots of references to M10 fasteners but I didn't have much luck. Didn't bother chasing the threads with a tap because 3/8-16 fit perfectly. Single screw/bolt by the steerig box, one by the alt. The other two holes are on the P/S and both ends are accessible. 3/8" nuts and bolts. 4 or 5 holes along the front for the rad support crossmember, I drilled them out to use M8 bolts. Install was pretty easy with the front bumper off. If you're lifted jam some 1x1 or 1x2 or whatever box steel in there as a spacer.