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Rusty's Skids Reviews
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=982		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  RespectMyLibertay [ Sun Aug 07, 2005 7:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Rusty's Skids Reviews
I bought a Engine/Transmission skid, a Transfer Case skid, and a Fuel Tank skid (all of them Rusty's) for my 2003 Limited Liberty. I owe it to this board to give a thorough review.
At first glance upon receiving, they feel very solid. I heard from somewhere on this forum that you shouldn't be able to pick up an E/T skid with one hand, and that holds true for Rusty's E/T skid. All three skid plates were quite heavy, and felt very solid. With the 3 boxes I got, I only got the three screws used with the T/C skid. This is when I got a chance to test Rusty's Customer Service. I gave him a call right there and he cleared it all up for me, saying I only need to pick up a 7/16th screw for the front of the E/T skid, and that all the other hardware I need is already on the Liberty (which proved to be true). I felt stupid for calling but he made me feel much better after the 10 seconds it took for him to answer my question.
The E/T skid went on first. I put the Liberty on jack stands and jacked up the skid and then bolted it into place. The rear of the skid attached to the crossmember with the screws already on the crossmember. For the front we used a 3" 7/16th inch screw and a nut.
The T/C skid went on second. It attached to the back side of the same crossmember the E/T skid used, using screws already there, again. I was supposed to drill holes for the 3 screws that attached to the rear of the skid, on the driver's side ( 2 horizontal and 1 vertical). Before I put these 3 screws in I realized that there was a gap above the skid against the area it screws to with the one vertical screw. This meant I could have bent it up to allow myself to use all 3 screws. I ended up just drilling 2 holes and using the 2 horizontal holes where there was no gap. I used the 3rd screw as a second front support for my E/T skid (it fit the threading for the second hole, located on passenger side; the first hole, on the driver's side where I used 7/16th screw, had no threading) Either way, this skid didn't feel like it was going anywhere. Eventually I'll get a longer screw and some sort of spacer for that gap.
Third was the fuel tank skid. The first thing I must say about this skid is, it's huge! I'm sure any fuel tank skid is big, but I was just surprised how heavy it was in my hands, and the actually size of it. I had to take off my hitch receiver to put it on, using the same 6 screws the receiver uses (3 on each side). This means I had to hold up the skid, then line up the receiver, then screw it all in at once. While trying this (it's not easy!), I realized that it wasn't going to fit with my curved Mopar receiver. If my receiver was straight, it would have fit perfect. For now, I'm keeping this skid off until I can get a friend to cut it. It should fit just fine. I already screwed it in without the receiver and looks really nice! Once I have it cut I'm sure it'll fit perfect with my receiver. We have to cut into the rear top of the skid so we can fit the receiver in the cut about 3 inches or so, allowing the holes to line up. It should make it all easier to put on, since the receiver will rest on the skid and then I can just jack up the skid when screwing it in. NOTE: I would have called Rusty's about this, but I know it'll fit fine after the cut and cutting it will be super easy with my friend acetylene torch. I figured I'd avoid the hassles of a return and possible no-fix, and just pull a little DIY to make it all better.
I will update this topic after I have done some off-roading in an area that I was scared of when I was "unprotected". I still have to pick up my should-have-come-stock Front Suspension Skid from my stealership sometime real soon. Thanks for tuning in!
Author:  luckys13 [ Thu Aug 11, 2005 9:33 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the great information. I am interested in picking these up myself. So I am very interested to see how you like them. Hope they work out for you.
Author:  RespectMyLibertay [ Sat Aug 13, 2005 3:18 am ]
Post subject: 
I recently got stuck (high-centered) in huge ruts, with lots of clay-like mud. It was raining and really muddy, and my all-stock but armored Jeep slid right into the huge ruts I was trying to avoid. It got hung up exactly on my E/T skid (wish I had my lift and tires!) I couldn't get it out with a shovel and some pushing with a friend so I had to abandon it on the trail till the next day. I went there the next afternoon and was able to get it unstuck from the dry mud fairly easily. It felt and sounded fine after getting it out, but I pulled over just to check it out underneath. My skid plates did exactly what they were supposed to. I can't imagine what my engine oil pan or transfer case would have looked like after being dragged through that really hard clay mixed with rocks. I mean, I know I didn't go rock-crawling or anything, but I'm pretty sure I would have damaged something without my skids to protect those vulnerable underbelly parts.
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