Tranny skid.

[rvance]

I think it's funny. My 87 Isuzu Trooper had full skid plates from the factory. I took it to Big Bend and bashed them all up. It was my first 4WD vehicle. I thought all vehicles made for off roading came with skid plates. I guess they build them for the 95% of PWs that never get dirty.

 

[crazy jerry]

is anyone using the maple crossmembers and skid plate that replaces the three bars ?

 

[IRSmart]

is anyone using the maple crossmembers and skid plate that replaces the three bars ?

This guy is. If it’s available, I probably have it lol

 

[SeppW]

is anyone using the maple crossmembers and skid plate that replaces the three bars ?

Yessir. Took about 6 months to get it after ordering. Unless he's caught up on orders, then plan to wait, especially if adding the powder coating. Top quality, heavy duty for real, well worth the wait. You'll need a second person or floor jack or both to aid in install.

 

[crazy jerry]

do you guys happen to have any photos of that maple stuff installed on the truck ? probly will order that stuff and was just curious about what they looked like

 

[SeppW]

do you guys happen to have any photos of that maple stuff installed on the truck ? probly will order that stuff and was just curious about what they looked like

A few here: https://www.mapleoffroad.com/new-products/3-bar-skid-plate-replacement

I don't have pics made, I have hard enough time getting up off the ground to be taking pics of underside. You can just replace the bars with the plate or you can order the crossmembers as well. They are way beefier than OE and the rear crossmember has an optional redesigned offset for drive shaft clearance. Depending on your suspension set up, the drive shaft may contact the OE rear crossmember

 

[crazy jerry]

ya ive already seen the photos on maples site. i might have to send a email and see what the wait time is for uncoated parts. ill need some extra driveshaft clearance on the rear member. 2" should be plenty by my calculations

 

[JEFF MANN]

Looks like it would be an easy build, especially at 400 bucks, a welder, grinder & a few tools. $50.00 for steel & some time & thought.

 

[crazy jerry]

it always looks easy . ya it wouldnt be overly complicated but rather how much free time you have. ive got a few tools like welder and grinder but no bender, plasma cutter, chop saw etc. without proper tools you have to use make shift tools and do stuff by hand. i know a bit about makeshift tools as i tried to mill stuff with a drill press

 

[Moparfanatic21]

here's a link. It is kinda a pain in the ass for the one bolt for sure, other than that it is a fairly simple install. https://dethloffmfg.com/shop/oil-transmission-skid-plate/

Where does it bolt in the front?

 

[Ram Wagon]

Where does it bolt in the front?

It is mounted to the frame. i do not have any pictures at the moment for the exact spot, it has been about 1.5 years since i've looked underneath at it. It survived my trip to moab this year without any issues.

 

[Moparfanatic21]

It is mounted to the frame. i do not have any pictures at the moment for the exact spot, it has been about 1.5 years since i've looked underneath at it. It survived my trip to moab this year without any issues.

Good to know!

 

[retired]

they mount on the motor mount brackets up front.



drivers side.



passenger side

 

[retired]

up front the circled bolts are the ones that were a pain. the driver's side bolt was tough simply because another hand would have been nice to hold the flag nut while inserting the bolt and holding up the skid all at the same time. the passenger's side was tough because you need a really stubby 15mm to hold it as a normal length wrench will not fit in the small space, if they would have used a flag nut for that location it would have made it much easier.

 

[crazy jerry]

Looks like it would be an easy build, especially at 400 bucks, a welder, grinder & a few tools. $50.00 for steel & some time & thought.

figure ill update whats going on. ordered the mapple skid plate a week or so ago. tracking number shows it in transit but no specific location. probly being held at the border i suppose. with any luck it will turn up next week.

about the crossmembers. i searched most of the online steel warehouses for what i need and its goona be a fair bit more than $50 but hell its only money. the maple cross members look nice but then i had a brilliant idea. if i make em myself thats the perfect excuse to get new plasma cutter . so ya it showed up today and what a fine piece of machinery it is. for sure ill put it to good use and already im thinking what i could make after the crossmembers

 

[Mace Peveler]

Nice! I want one.

 

[Overlander]

Hypertherms are nice units. Make sure your compressed air source has a good dryer.

 

[crazy jerry]

ya i got one of the dryer filters from hypertherms site enroute that wll be here monday. they told me its made by rti

 

[crazy jerry]

the maple skid plate still hasnt showed up. last tracking was about 2weeks ago it was supposebly around chicago but no updates since. anyway i started making the first crossmember. used a stringline to get it the right height then ill cut the tube to length and weld all the bracketry on. i calculated the new bar vs stock bar without any bracketry factored in and new one basically is 2x stronger in bending and 2x stiffer. when its finished up ill report back

 

[IRSmart]

Piece of advice, make sure you mimic the factory’s bracket, here, and have it touch the frame. Otherwise, the bolts are doing all of the work, and they’ll sheer off the first time you take an impact.