Is there a way to fabricate skid plates for the fas tank and i guess under the engine compartment? Im guessing i could use some sheet metal from home depot and bolt it on ? Where would it attach?

 

I would not use sheetmetal... I strongly suggest at least 3/16 if not 1/4. For the gas tank ppl normally use the hitch mounting holes.. there sre 4 of them on each side.

For the engine/trans skid some ppl use the upper control arm bolts... This is what I did for my xj with a doubler...




When I remake it this spring I plan on making it about 18" longs and bring it up to under the oil pan.. right now it just covers up to the trans.

It is mounted on the inside of the frame rails using 4 bolt flanges welded right to the unit body.

 

go to the junk yard and find the stock guards. my donor came with a the front guard, the tank guard and the t-case crossmember that bolts to the tranny crossmember and the frame rail. all heavy duty steel and very strong and no fabbing needed.

 

if not sheet metal than what?

 

your looking for something strong that will hold up under abuse.
the idea of fabbing something is always nice, but for the money, sometimes its best to find someone thats getting rid of their stuff or go to the JY and re-fab something to work for yours.

for instance,the metal gas tank skid for a grand cherokee will work for the XJ with minor fabbing.. should only cost you about $50 or less from the JY plus an hour or two depending on mechanical know how and ease-ability to work on your jeep.
I used the ZJ skid on my XJ, and I did mine in a bout a hour with a lift and a garage full of tools. I have since tested out that skid plate (ask Clown) and it works great.

Now, If your dead set on doing it yourself, your going to want to use 3/16" steel or thicker - i have seen thicker aluminum used, because its lighter overall, but i wouldnt do it if your going to be doing any rock crawling, ever..

i searched Craigs for a while in the past and been able to find stock skid plates for the XJ & ZJ (zj's have to be modified to work with the xj)
anyways, i seen pricing as low as $25 and upwards of $60. And really, not a bad price, and stock skid is better than no skid.

 

since you are close, if you dont have plans for this eve, i am working on my jeep in the garage.
i can show you what it would look like to use stock skid plates for the XJ & from the ZJ on the XJ

 

Stock t-case skid is ok.. the stock g-tank skid.. is a very thin metal, and will dent, thus denting your tank as well.

 

if i had the money this is what id like to get for my xj
http://rustysoffroad.com/mm5/merchan...y_Code=xj_skid

 

i didnt read all that til just now. i wouldve came. i get off at four tomorrow...

 

I have all of the factory skids including the gas tank. Everything has been good as of late. Thin or not the factory skids all work until you start doing stupid things.

 

if you don't do stupid things you probably shouldnt own a jeep. :P i jumped a curb just to pass a car that was turning in my stock cherokee...i think i do dumb stuff.

 

Go read through my build thread and reconsider what I think is stupid.

 

youll have to post the link, i cant find it.

 

i want this one bad...scroll down and look at all tha pics on this web site...http://www.jcroffroad.com/Merchant2/...y_Code=XJArmor

 

too expensive.