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.
