Fitting 2005+ skids to an 2003 CRD a NO-GO (with pics)

damo4runner · **Joined:** Wed Aug 01, 2007 7:07 am **Posts:** 100

OK finally got around to fitting the skid plates today, well one thing I can say is bugger they were really not meant for my year model. Being a 2005+ transmission skid and going onto a 2003 CRD. DC must have changed it big time cause I can get 1 bolt at the back or 1 bolt at the front and that is after I angle grindered off the tabs that in no way fit my truck. As you can see in the first pic the transfercase skid went on but only using 3 out of the 4 bolts cause 1 of them didn't line up wth the hole on the cross member, that problem can be solved with drilling out a new hole in the skid. But the transmission one is a whole different kettle of fish, in the first pic it can be seen that the holes don't line up at the back of the skid but in the second pic you can see that the holes don't match up at the front either, plus and here is the good bit the skid is to short to even come close to ling up to even think about drilling new holes.

On the bonus side I have got it fitted but I need to get some 4mm plate and make a rather large washer/retainer to just satisfy myself that it will be going no where, this I will place over the two bolt holes in the rear crossmember and have it overlap the transmission and transfer skids to hold the unbolted side of the transmission skid in a secure manner. So yeah it can be done on an 03 but it seems that the 03 has the most amount of modafications needed to the skid.

Ps I also fitted a pair of factory fog lights but they are not finished yet, will post when they are finished and working.

cmohr · **Posted:** Thu Mar 26, 2009 11:10 pm

AAAHHHHHHH!!!!

This must be that different transmission crossmember thing 4WDPOM was having the same trouble... seeing that crossmember does run straight across seems to be the problem, and now I can see the difference, and why they are not long enough....

I would mind having a look sometime, might be able to fab up an extention plate to fix the issus.

damo4runner · **Joined:** Wed Aug 01, 2007 7:07 am **Posts:** 100

Cmohr you are more than welcome to have look cause if your brain can see where to put something to make sure they stay there I will feel so much better about the whole thing cause I am worried that they will fold up if put under pressure cause they are not sitting properly. Also picked up my Vortex rack today, I must say I like, I like it very much

But alas I think I have put the ARB bar back on a little off camber (it is not sitting dead straight along the front now) ohh well it will just be a matter of undoing 6 bolts and making sure it is right BEFORE I tighten everything up again.

BrissieJeeper · **Posted:** Sat May 23, 2009 3:27 am

Hi Damo..did you ever end up working out how to get around these issues?? i've finally returned from countless weekends away for work and am trying to get stuck into a few projects. Any advice would be most appreciated! Cheers

damo4runner · **Joined:** Wed Aug 01, 2007 7:07 am **Posts:** 100

Brissie sure did managed to get them all on with no really problems. The fuel tank skid needed a piece cut off it to fit with the Hayman Reese towbar but this turned into good luck as I was able to use said piece as the bracing plate after I modified the Transmission skid to fit. In the end only 1 bolt holding skid in place at front after cutting off the little tabs but the other side of the front is wedged under the engine skid, had to cut a small squarish tab about 1.5x1.5cm so it would be able to have a bolt clamp it into place on the rear crossmember and the other side lined up from memory the piece I cut from the fuel tank skid I just trimmed and made a few holes in it so it would hold in place using the existing bolt holes and bolts forming a plate to clamp everything to the rear crossmember. If I get a chance I will take photos 2morrow and post as I am sure you are now more confused than before.

BrissieJeeper · **Posted:** Mon May 25, 2009 5:36 am

Thanks Damo..but yes am mildly confused...some pics would be great!

damo4runner · **Joined:** Wed Aug 01, 2007 7:07 am **Posts:** 100

Ok cause my KJ is not on ramps this is the best my pocket camera can do.

The bottom of the photo is the front end and also the transmission skid the top is the transfer skid and the piece that is sitting on both of those is the piece of the fuel tank skid that I had to remove so as to fit a hayman reese towbar. As you can see the bolt at the lower left of the image (drivers side of car) doesn't actually go thru that part of the skid the bolt on the lower right also doesn't go thru the factoryhole and it is this right side (just remember that it is the bolt on the passenger side) that I cut a small 1.5 x 1.5 cm piece out of so the bolt would pass thru it. It is also bolted to the transfer case skid just for a bit of extra strength. So far so good but it hasn't been REALLY tested. Hope this helps let me know if you need more info better picture.

Damo

cmohr · **Posted:** Tue May 26, 2009 2:12 am

Are you going to weld that Damo???

Glend · **Posted:** Tue May 26, 2009 4:21 am

Yeah, I'd weld in that small piece to the tranny skid if you have the ability and equipment (or know someone who does). From memory that tank skid is not as thick as the transmission skid (which has to span a fair distance and is double skinned and welded) so that patch piece maybe a weak point and a weld will help stiffen it up.

damo4runner · **Joined:** Wed Aug 01, 2007 7:07 am **Posts:** 100

Yeah welding would be good no I don't have a welder but I am sure I will eventually get to someone that does, the skid is resting on the crossmember not just the patch plate so it does have some strength the patch piece just holds it up and allows it to be bolted to the crossmember, but I do hear you welding will bring a more solid strength hold.

cmohr · **Posted:** Tue May 26, 2009 7:13 pm

I have one of those small arc weldy thingys, I could make a real mess of it for you. :lol:

As I'm crap at welding so far... :wink:

Glend · **Posted:** Tue May 26, 2009 7:45 pm

Mate...talk about crappy welding, I get more splattered on me than on the thing I'm suppose to be welding. I recently had nice burn on the top of my head from splatter arching over the visor - due to my poor eyesite I have to get really close to what I am welding to see anything through my visor glass. :lol:

Fouros · **Posted:** Tue May 26, 2009 8:15 pm

i am also a crappy welder

but i heard heat your welding rods in the oven at 130 c for an hour as a lot of splater is caused by moisture in them

pipeliner · **Posted:** Tue May 26, 2009 8:38 pm

Very true Fros - most pipeline welders will have a small heated box to keep the rods in for that reason.

BrissieJeeper · **Posted:** Thu May 28, 2009 4:37 am

Thanks for the pics and insight Damo...i am having a crack at them this weekend so standby for some questions. Cheers

Fitting 2005+ skids to an 2003 CRD a NO-GO (with pics)

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