LOST JEEPS
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/

Installing skid plates - how difficult?
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=88&t=69504		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  lfhoward [ Mon Jul 09, 2012 9:24 am ]
Post subject:  Installing skid plates - how difficult?
I am close to ordering the whole set of 4 mopar skid plates. This is a question for those of you who installed them yourself, or who have a shop and do this on a regular basis:

Would I be able to install all 4 skid plates myself with the jeep on jack stands and using a torque wrench? How difficult a job is this? I ask because I'd rather do it myself than pay the dealership to do it, but not if it would be impossible without special tools or without putting the jeep up on a lift.

Thanks for the advice and any tips! :D
Author:  remdawg [ Mon Jul 09, 2012 9:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Installing skid plates - how difficult?
If you can fit under the Jeep comfortably then you could do it (I did mine after it was already lifted with no jacks). The nutserts were the harder part for me (but easy once you figure out how to put them on). Other than that it's just bolting them on.
Author:  At The Helm [ Tue Jul 10, 2012 12:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Installing skid plates - how difficult?
The gas tank skid is going to be the hardest. Wait until it is almost empty because you will need to unbolt the whole thing and hold up the tank while swapping it's cradle with a stronger one. There is a write up somewhere on here and i think a ratchet strap was involved.
Also if i were you i would skip the nutserts in the crossmember and drill a hole straight through and bolt it. That might save you a big headache down the road when the nutserts just spin when you try to remove the skids. You will have to use them in the frame rails for the t case skid though.
Author:  lfhoward [ Tue Jul 10, 2012 5:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Installing skid plates - how difficult?
Atthehelm: Thanks! Got it. It's an interesting read. Here is the link: http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=104&t=50745&hilit=gas+tank+skid
Author:  lfhoward [ Tue Jul 10, 2012 5:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Installing skid plates - how difficult?
jparts.com seems to have good prices on skid plates. What do you think? Shipping is free over $350.
Scroll down the page: http://jparts.com/index.php?cPath=23_192&osCsid=aifr7uf10f3prstidpcubpdk80

I noticed that some posts I read on LOST referenced a "radiator skid." Is that in addition to the four skid plates listed here (front suspension, t-case, transmission, and gas tank)? Can anybody who has a radiator skid weigh in on that? How important is it to have, and can you post the Mopar part number? Thanks.
Author:  eoerikson3 [ Sun Jul 15, 2012 10:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Installing skid plates - how difficult?
Do wait until the fuel cell is nearly empty. Discard the hardware packet on the fuel tank skid. They are useless. Reuse the hardware when you pull the fuel tank support bracket.
I got the first three skids on without any difficulty. I just had to wait until the fuel was near empty to do that one. It was always raining or other obligations that would interfere with getting it done for about two months. If you have a garage you're all set. I have an open driveway. LOL
And I am interested in knowing if there is a fifth (radiator) skid plate. I haven't seen anything about it but there are two threaded holes on the front that must be for something.
Author:  CoopaTroopa [ Sun Jul 15, 2012 11:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Installing skid plates - how difficult?
You also have to remember to start at the back and work your way forward when putting skids on. That way you won't get hung up on rocks or other obstacles, that is unless you go offroading in reverse... :shock:
Author:  Marlon_JBT [ Sun Jul 15, 2012 1:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Installing skid plates - how difficult?
eoerikson3 wrote:
And I am interested in knowing if there is a fifth (radiator) skid plate. I haven't seen anything about it but there are two threaded holes on the front that must be for something.

Yes, there is.
Author:  lfhoward [ Sun Jul 15, 2012 6:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Installing skid plates - how difficult?
CoopaTroopa: Thanks for the tip about putting the skids on from back to front! I was going to do the gas tank skid last. Do you think this will be an issue? I can see how the first three skids overlap.

Marlon: It's good to know a radiator skid exists. Do you have one on your Renegade? Any idea of where to buy one, or the part number?

Thanks, all!
Author:  CoopaTroopa [ Sun Jul 15, 2012 7:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Installing skid plates - how difficult?
It shouldn't be a problem, as long as you aren't climbing over huge rocks and getting hung up
Author:  Marlon_JBT [ Mon Jul 16, 2012 1:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Installing skid plates - how difficult?
Yes I have one on my Renegade, it came with all 5 skids, factory, standard. Sorry, not sure of the part number.
Author:  isomswim [ Mon Jul 16, 2012 4:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Installing skid plates - how difficult?
For reference all part numbers should be in fist couple of posts. I gotta get these also shouldnt be too much.
viewtopic.php?f=88&t=57100
Author:  lfhoward [ Mon Jul 16, 2012 2:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Installing skid plates - how difficult?
I tracked down the skid plates in the 2008 Mopar KK parts manual (see image below). There are 5 plates on the diagram plus the gas tank skid which isn't shown. That brings the total number of skid plates to 6! Now I'm bit confused. The part numbers on the diagram are different than the part numbers on Jparts.com. Can anyone clear this up? Thanks!

Image
Author:  At The Helm [ Mon Jul 16, 2012 11:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Installing skid plates - how difficult?
Sometimes part numbers can be different for the same part because it can be listed as an "accessory" or a "replacement part.". I think that is the case here.
Author:  lfhoward [ Wed Jul 18, 2012 4:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Installing skid plates - how difficult?
Ordered 5 skid plates (radiator, front suspension, transmission, transfer case, gas tank) and KJ tow hooks from http://www.factorymoparparts.com, as they had the lowest prices. Looking forward to installing them over the weekend or later next week! :BANANA:

In case this post helps anyone thinking of adding armor, here are the Mopar part numbers:
Mopar Accessories 82210936 PLATE PKG FUEL TANK
Mopar Accessories 82210937 PLATE KIT SKIDTRANS
Mopar Accessories 82210769 PLATE PKG SKID FRO
Mopar Accessories 82210003 PLATE PKG SKID TRA
Mopar Part 52125385AB FRONT PLATE
Mopar Accessories 82206124 HOOK KIT TOW FRONT

I'm expecting the radiator skid will not come with nutzerts and bolts (as it is a replacement part, not an accessory package), so I'll make a special trip to the dealer for those.
Author:  lfhoward [ Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Installing skid plates - how difficult?
Today I looked up torque specs for installing the new skid plates, so I thought I'd post them here in case it helps anyone else. These numbers came from the Factory Service Manual. I couldn't find the specs for the radiator skid, though. Can anybody help me out?

Torque Specs:
Front Tow Hooks: 45 ft lbs (61 N m)
Radiator Skid:
Front Engine Skid: 45 ft lbs (61 N m)
Transmission Skid: 20 ft lbs (27 N m)
Transfer Case Skid: 25 ft lbs (34 N m)
Gas Tank Skid: 45 ft lbs (61 N m)

Other specs FYI:
Wheel Lug Nuts: 100 ft lbs +/- 15 (136 N m +/- 20)
Spare tire winch: 28 ft lbs (39 N m)
Author:  lfhoward [ Sat Jul 28, 2012 9:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Installing skid plates - how difficult?
The install is under way! I spent the afternoon today working under my Jeep. I installed 3 of the 5 skid plates today, plus the front tow hooks. I have one more day of fun to finish it up, probably next week. The gas tank skid and the radiator skid still need to be done, but the engine skid, transmission skid, and transfer case skid are all on there! I had to take apart the front of the Jeep when I was installing the front tow hooks. I needed to remove the plastic bumper cover to be able to bolt them to the steel bumper. That was a challenge! Everything is back together now, though... And there are no extra screws or fasteners left over! I want to shout out a "thank you!" to Diggerfreek for his detailed and well illustrated instructions on how to remove the front bumper! More to come, including photos.
Author:  lfhoward [ Thu Aug 02, 2012 8:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Installing skid plates - how difficult?
Installed the remaining two skid plates today: radiator and gas tank. :BANANA: The gas tank one was a mental and physical challenge! I'm pretty worn out tonight. :dizzy: Many thanks to wecwbe for posting a great how-to: http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=104&t=50745 Without this, I would have been up a creek!

For anyone else ordering all 5 skids at once and installing them yourself:
Unlike the rest, the radiator skid did not come with any nutzerts or bolts. It requires two nutzerts and four bolts, which I sourced at the local Jeep dealer.
The gas tank skid comes with 5 bolts and two nuts. The nuts are too big, so they won't work. The bolts and nuts were unnecessary anyway, as I just re-used the bolts and nuts from the former gas tank holder that I took off.
The extra new gas tank skid bolts fit the front radiator skid, so I plan to return the 4 bolts I bought and get back $20! :2cents:

Another issue was that the Jeep repair manual said to torque the gas tank skid bolts to 45 foot pounds, but the enclosed paper directions said 20 +/- 5 foot pounds. That's quite a difference. However, I estimated that the amount of force needed to loosen the bolts on the old gas tank holder was closer to 20 than 45, so I went with 25. They seem tight enough. I'll keep an eye on them. Does anyone know the correct torque?

Now my Liberty is armored up and ready for those central Appalachian forest roads! :JEEPIN: Time to start saving for a lift. :mrgreen:
Author:  lfhoward [ Thu Aug 02, 2012 9:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Installing skid plates - how difficult?
The promised pics! Actually, there's not a whole lot to see while putting on skid plates, so here are the two best photos.

Here you can see the t-case skid.
Image

Here, I've got the grille and bumper cover off in order to install the KJ tow hooks.
Image
Author:  JeepMonkey190 [ Tue Mar 18, 2014 12:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Installing skid plates - how difficult?
Hey everyone I have been trying to figure out how thick the new gas tank skid is but haven't had any luck, can anyone help me out with that?

Thanks
Page 1 of 2 All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/