I have a 99' XJ and I have had to replace my o2 sensors several times and rebuild the exhaust way too much and I need to design a plate to protect it when I hiside. I do not need protection so much in the front as I do directly underneath where the downstream o2 is.

I have tried looking around for some designs but have not been able to find any. Most that I have seen were for the front. I am just going to build my own design but I am posting to see if anyone out there has some insight on building a skid plate.

 

I have the exact same prob and was thinking of ways to do the same thing!

 

So far iv'e spent over $350 in parts fixing the exhaust, for $350 I could of had myself a real nice custom skid plate

 

Tnt makes a nice belly skid, jcr also has a good design for their tcase skid. Are you looking for more of an exhaust skid, or tranny tcase?

 

careful putting a skid directly under the cat. you need heat to escape from there fairly easily.

otherwise I didn't have any problems with a small high flow cat and the 02 bung rotated up at a 45* angle (idk what stock is at honestly) and put as close to the crossmember and tucked up as high as possible.

 

I need to protect the exhaust area, I could put a section of expanded metal in the metal plating to allow for heat to escape, this is the mid section of the jeep between the tranny and fuel tank

 

small high flow cat + stock muffler plated with 1/8" tucked up as tight to the body as I could get it and no real issues playing in the rocks.

If you build a giant skid plate for the exhaust you have pretty much created an oven. The floor will get very hot (and can burn your carpet through the sheet metal)

The smaller cat will be easier to protect too and not generate as much heat.

I scrapped my stock cat for $80 and paid $40 for the high flow, so it would be silly not to do that while you are in there regardless.

 

What if the skid plate were perforated? Maybe have several 3-5" holes in it to allow for some airflow. I don't think that would create much of a problem with the plate hanging up on rocks either if you designed it right

 

Skids are great but they hold alot of mud if you play in the goo too. I too am looking for some sort of skid for the center of my ride.

 

i'm thinking put some 1/8" steel plating underneath, drilling a few holes to allow mud to fall out as well as expanded metal where the cat is to allow heat to escape.

Any ideas on how to attach? I thought the best would be to attach bolts horizontally and weld plates or possibly angle iron so the base of the skid plate is flush and smooth to allow easy sliding.