You could certainly remove it permanently and have no ill effects on driveability. It’s just cheap insurance if you bend it back and reinstall it. A driveshaft fell off a pickup truck in front of me once, went flailing under my Jeep before I could react, and whacked the skid plate but good. No damage to the transmission or oil pan or transfer case or anything important. I would say that skids don’t only help you in off road situations.
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2008 Liberty Sport 4x4 Automatic
Jeepin By Al 4" Lift Kit
BFG KO2’s 245/75R16
Full MOPAR skid plates
Rock Lizard Skink Super Sliders
AtTheHelm Front Recovery System & Roof RackM116A3 Trailer build thread: viewtopic.php?f=72&t=77997