Skid plates ??

CGman · **Posted:** Mon Apr 01, 2013 11:31 am

engine and fuel tank skids are in...

couple of notes:
had to make a few cuts on the front low black trim
putting the old front bolts back in with new ext plate was tricky!

getting to the fuel tank bolt above the exhaust pipe was a pain

pictures soon!

audiboy86 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 01, 2013 11:57 am

The engine skid takes some getting used to when taking it on and off. I contacted Asfir to ask why they didnt recess the mounting points like the factoy skid. And i was told so that it create only 2 small hang up points outside of the skid plates. Instead of 2 1 inch diameter holes to allow a tearing point for the skid plate.

CGman · **Posted:** Mon Apr 01, 2013 10:15 pm

audiboy,

did you have to buy any of the hex revnuts? Local autoparts and 4X4 store don't have them and stealership wants $4.70 each! :furious:

Looks like the tranny/transfer plate has existing holes for 2 up front, one on the right and two in left corner, does that match yours?

I didn't have any stock skids for these, so there is no existing hardware! :banghead:

audiboy86 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 02, 2013 7:56 am

Had to buy them all acttually bought a few extra but i had a buddy behind the parts counter so i got them at the dealers rate. But sorry to say it the only place you can get them is from the Dealership but make sure they give you the ones for the skid plates. Our jeeps acttually use a few different types. Also only one of those mounting points on the transfer case skid will be used on that rear most cross member.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Tue Apr 02, 2013 11:04 am

For what it's worth relative to OEM skids:
1. the long rectangular transmission skid uses 2 front bolts that should already be there as they are the same as the back 2 bolts for the stock oil pan skid that I think came on all KJ CRDs. Just remove those bolts; insert transmission skid (IIRC how is obvious); reinstall bolts. Plus 2 back bolts that require the funky rivnuts (a.k.a. rivet nut)
2. the somewhat triangular transfer case skid uses 4 (2 front and 2 on the drivers side "frame" rail) of the rivnuts

I honestly don't recall noticing any difference although there may have been a bolt length difference in the bolts that came with my OEM skids. I do have 2 of the installation tools (rivnut, sleeve, and bolt) and the rivnut for both skids are identical as are the bolt threads which I think are 10mmx1.5.

For what it's worth:
1. $4.70 per rivnut is not a bad price given what I can find online for small quantities although I did not look that hard
2. in theory these "grip" much like a rivet (hence the name) which makes me a bit nervous about whether or not they will hold in place during installation and removal torque which is parallel to the grip surface. With that in mind when I installed my rivnuts I added some Loctite red to the rivet portion of the nut on the theory that doing so would add to the durability of the "grip".

CGman · **Posted:** Wed Apr 03, 2013 10:38 pm

First of all thanks for all the info and offered help during this project.

I've tried to document all the issues I had to add to the LOST knowledge database to help future generations (sounds kind of corny doesn't it?) :POPCORN:

This project has so far done the following: added trailer hitch, added ASFIR engine and fuel tank skids, flipped spare tire and replaced stripped oil plug with Fumoto drain

Still to be done: GDE Eco tune and trans tune (due this weekend) and install middle ASFIR skid plate (awaiting rivnut/nutsert/blind insert arrival next week)

Before pictures:

1. Trailer hitch: located 2002 Liberty with MOPAR hitch in local salvage yard (with nice triple ball!) for $90 :pepper:

Total investment of $110 for hitch, spray paint and sanding pads, it almost looks new! (also included wire harness and bolts)

However, pax side fwd bolt hole is right above exhaust pipe and was very rusty/dirty and it had to be cleaned before bolt install, I ended up putting a rachet strap through the wheel and pulling the exhaust pipe to the side enough that I could get to it with little effort. Notice in the picture below that the skid and hitch are hitting at the aft corners.

2. ASFIR fuel tank skid: directions are lacking, and no skid to vehicle hardware is supplied, also unlike MOPAR skid, this one only uses the two front holes on each side. Wasn't sure whether to put in under or over the hitch, so went with the same install as the MOPAR hitch and put it under the hitch. Holes did not line up perfectly, so make sure you leave all the fasteners loose until all the main bolts are installed.

To be continued:

CGman · **Posted:** Wed Apr 03, 2013 10:56 pm

CONT:

2. ASFIR engine skid: this one did come with the hardware, but it sure was fun installing it! The front fasteners go into the same frame that the front lower trim uses, and they don't fit at the same time, but instead of removing the trim I sawzall'd the corners of the trim so I could bend it down and slip the plate in, which seems to work fine. The REALLY fun part was trying to get the front cross-member spacers installed (they use the same holes that the front brackets use on the stock skid). Needless to say, there isn't much room to get your hands in there and I ended up sliding the last spacer down the front ramp and spearing it onto the bolt (made it on the second try!) Back fasteners use the stock skid bolts.

At this time I would like to point out that the tranny/transfer skid came with NO mounting hardware (it said to use the existing hardware, which is a problem if you didn't have any skid plates to begin with!) So the great rivnut/nutsert adventure began, with my quest for affordable hardware hitting most of the hardware and auto parts stores in a 15 mile radius of my workplace! I will provide an update next week on whether I was successful. Middle skid plate is currently temp-installed using front bolts only (and my shop stool and a couple of C-clamps).

3. Fumoto valve install: this was FAR easier than I expected, with the directions provided by earlier posts making this a non-event (except for spilling some oil...)
One thing to note is the ASFIR middle skid does not quite line up with the drain hole, looks like it wont be a problem, but made me wonder if gasser plug is in slightly different position.

audiboy86 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 04, 2013 9:28 am

With the tranny transfer case skid they didnt send the little plate that slides in the frame rail with the weldnuts on it?

CGman · **Posted:** Fri Apr 05, 2013 10:44 pm

audiboy86 wrote:

With the tranny transfer case skid they didnt send the little plate that slides in the frame rail with the weldnuts on it?

Ah yes, it did come with that, it took me a little while to figure out it went on the inside of the frame, since the instructions made it look like it went on the outside of the frame. Looks like I will try to get one rivnut in the pax side rear corner of the transfer case plate.

Stock code has been sent to GDE, now I'm anxiousily awaiting a response! :lol:

Any words of wisdom before I swap the TCM tomorrow?

user113 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 12, 2013 11:44 pm

CGman,

Following your lead, I bought some Asfir plates myself, it seems like a great price right now. (Probably closing them out, I guess.)

I have only tried to install the tank skid so far, the others are still in what's left of the shipping boxes.

Did you have any issues with clearance between the tank skid and the trailer hitch? I have a Reese hitch on mine and the skid and the hitch both want to occupy some of the same space. I will need to trim both rear corners of the skid where it curls up to make it fit.

As to the Fumoto drain plug, have you had a chance to drain the oil through it yet? It looks like it will hit the skid on its way out. Do you have room for the N type drain valve?

audiboy86 · **Posted:** Sat Apr 13, 2013 11:59 am

Mine contacted my furmoto when off roading until I cut that little brass nipple off the end. It did not contact it until I would nail the skid plate hard.

user113 · **Posted:** Sat Apr 13, 2013 8:20 pm

OK, I got them all in today. Had to take my trailer hitch off, decided I wouldn't bother trimming the skid.

The oil drain plug looks off center on mine too, just like CGman's photo above. I am contemplating using a hole saw and easing out the offending part of the existing circle.

On mine only one of the middle holes of the transmission/transfer case lined up with corresponding rivnut hole in the cross-member, the one on the driver's side. The other hole does not line up with anything useful. CGman, did you have any issues like that with yours? It seems from the above that you mention planning to instal one rivnut on the passenger side, but I didn't see why.

CGman · **Posted:** Sun Apr 14, 2013 9:31 am

I'm sure my fuel tank skid and trailer hitch are "touching", I didn't have stock skid plates so there was no good place for the transfer case to attach on the right rear corner, that's why I'm adding one rivnut...of course it doesn't matter right now because the dumb thing isn't running! :furious:

BigfootHunter · **Joined:** Thu May 31, 2012 10:46 pm **Posts:** 43

If any of you guys could post pics of the asfir skids installed (the front, middle and gastank) I'd really appreciate it. I'm trying to see how noticeable they are while the vehicle is on the ground. I'd also like to see what the underbelly looks like from the front, side and rear.

Trying to make a decision on getting the remaining two mopar plates, or biting the bullet and going with asfir, skid rows or 4xguards on my CRD.

For some reason my 2005 CRD sport has the front factory skid and the gastank skid, but nothing else. The trans pan has a slight crinkle/dent in it (no leaks though) so it's time to do something to protect that pan as well as the bottom mounted spin-on filter at the back of the engine sump.

Thanks in advance!

audiboy86 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 15, 2013 6:51 pm

Hope these will do you I don't have one with the stock bumper and my gas tank is a boiler not and Asfir. But you get the idea very pre-runner front skid and extremely flat bottom for a set of bolt on skid plates.

BigfootHunter · **Joined:** Thu May 31, 2012 10:46 pm **Posts:** 43

Those are great! Thanks for the pics. Much better idea of what it all looks like now.

What's a boiler? Why did you not use the ASFIRS all the way? Also, does anyone know the weight difference between the ASFIRS and say the 4xguards or skid rows?

audiboy86 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 15, 2013 7:31 pm

Boiler is a fabricator on here who quite enjoyed aluminum he made formed aluminum gas tank skids like my rear which is one solid piece no bolted on sides. His skid seemed tougher then the Asfir or the kilby gas tank skid being one solid piece. And I would say that the engin and tranny skid together weigh in at 70lbs my gas tank is probably close to that. But figured the steel skid to weigh in at least 40 to 70 pounds less depending on which skid set you decide on or can find.

BigfootHunter · **Joined:** Thu May 31, 2012 10:46 pm **Posts:** 43

Interesting, thanks for the info. Guess it makes sense the steel skids would be lighter, though it is initially counter intuitive.

I think the Skid Rows look the best from what limited pictures I've seen of them (at least they show them installed on their site. The price difference is huge though, as it seems the ASFIRs are on clearance. It's also tempting to just get the remaining 2 factory skids from a cost perspective, but I know they're made on a budget to begin with, cost over performance.

audiboy86 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 15, 2013 9:47 pm

Sorry about that auto correct got me that it is the other way around the only skids lighter then the Asfir skid is the stockers and they are worth much. But is all you do is play on fire roads and in the mud the stockers are fine and even some light rock play. But if you do go with the stocks just be careful and check them after any hard hit.

BigfootHunter · **Joined:** Thu May 31, 2012 10:46 pm **Posts:** 43

Ended up going with the stockers, since I already had the stock engine/gas tank skids and it was much cheaper to complete the set. I figure I'm ok with upgrading later to the more serious setup if needed.

Additionally, my local dealer said the Trans skid was no longer available, and they were going to have to order the TC skid. I ordered both from jparts instead. Wonder if the trans skid is actually no longer available or not, either way jparts had it in stock. Just a heads up for those on the fence.

Skid plates ??

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