Today I changed out the factory front bash plate for a Mopar aftermarket one that I had been given by a kind friend (Thanks - you know who I mean!). Below are the two plates, OEM on the left and aftermarket on the right.



You can see the amount of damage on the OEM one - it had in fact distorted so much that I had difficulty getting the front bolts out. The OEM one is 1.6mm steel, the aftermarket one 3.2mm steel (1/16" v 1/8").

Damage on the OEM plate from the underside. Note the shape of the hole lower left - it should be the same as the one upper left.



Just goes to prove that the bash plates are definitely a worthwhile investment. This next photo is of my transmission plate - I'm sure it was straight when I installed it!



And finally, while I was under there I had a good look at the recovery points on the TJM bar. TJM specifically say that it is not a recovery point, but to my mind a piece of 10mm plate welded securely to a 5mm plate which is angled and bolted to the chassis with 4 high tensile bolts is as good a recovery point as you could hope for.

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November 2006 2.8 CRD manual, CRDSTU front springs, King HD rears, Polyairs, LT245/70R16 Pirelli Scorpion ATRs, DP chip, Airflow snorkel
TJM alloy front bar, Ox 9500lb winch, Hella Compact 4000 spots, Complete set Mopar skid plates, Mopar cargo barrier
GME TX3440 UHF, Codan NGT HF

and... the after market one looks better

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02KJ LTD
245x75Rx16 Hankook MTRT03
ARB Winch Bar,Tiger11 Winch,4xNarva spots,GME UHF,Navman GPS
Mopar Skid Plates,dual battery system,Tubular Jeep s/steps,
2.5" Lift OME Shocks & King Springs,AirFlow Snorkel
Long Range fuel Tank 115 Ltre,Drawer Unit
Rola:Roof Rails,Basket,Shovel Holders & Luggage Boot
Desert Edge Off Road Camper

Thats quite a bend in that there transmission plate Chris

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SOME SAY

I'm Toight... Toight lik a Toiger.

And

When I go to the Toilet, Chuck Norris is there to tear the squares off for me.

"Pass me another one Chuck, and keep em coming!! On sencond thoughts..Go get the hose"

Not as bad as some others
(This was DaveKJ02 - but mine looked the same - didn't get pictures)

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=157533#p157533


FYI - I got a replacement front skid and it was thicker than the original 05 skid - don't know when it changed (I also got a used SuperSkid for the tranny - 1/4" plate with reinforcements)

Just be careful coming down Rock steps - the factory skids don't like much weight

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2005 CRD
stuff
Skeptic quod gratis asseritur, gratis negatur

Well thats all very interesting, I didnt know there were thicker aftermarket ones. So where did it come from Chris? or where did the friend get it from? Ill have to head under the KJ to see which one mine is.

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2005 2.8 CRD auto,
OME lift with a little extra
255/70R16 Cooper Discoverer ATR's
Airflow snorkel
Provent
Magnaflow
MOPAR alloy front bar, Lightforce 170's
3 out of 4 MOPAR skid plates, MOPAR hitch
GME UHF

Standard Mopar part Paul - acquired (I expect) from Leo Muller at Mansfield QLD

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November 2006 2.8 CRD manual, CRDSTU front springs, King HD rears, Polyairs, LT245/70R16 Pirelli Scorpion ATRs, DP chip, Airflow snorkel
TJM alloy front bar, Ox 9500lb winch, Hella Compact 4000 spots, Complete set Mopar skid plates, Mopar cargo barrier
GME TX3440 UHF, Codan NGT HF

I have a transmission skip made up from hammonds if anyone wants it locally!!!

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Hutch- Jeep's are an Obsession, that's why i drive a Yota Prado, with a heap of Yota accessories