Well upon further inspection of my new libby that I picked up tonite, I checked out the undercarriage and LBJs and everything seems to be ok w/ them. Before purchasing my KJ, of which I purchased it from a private car lot my parents are friends of, I was told that my KJ was a leased vehicle by one owner, so it was probably not foreign to a Jeep dealer. Although she didn't know this to be true, she told me that she figured Jeep took care of the LBJs during the recall in 02' or 03'. I'm hoping she's right..but anyhow I looked at them and they don't seem to be stressed or leaking any grease. Is there anything I should look for in particular?? Nothing seems loose or worn and everything looks good on the front end in general.

Another thing...the factory front skid plate (suspension skid) is pretty beefy in my opinion. Is it worth swapping out for the Mopar upgrade over factory or is it basically the same thing? My first mod will be skids and if the front is suitable for offroading (nothing too crazy) then that would be more money saved for gas!!!

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02' Frankenlifted White Sport on 31" TrXus M/Ts

89' 2 Dr. Khaki XJ- Waggy 44's, 4.88s, 35's, 3-link on 5.5" coils.

First, the ball joints have been recalled for a second time about a month ago. All models from 02 to 07 were recalled. The joint was redesigned to keep them from failing. So you need to take it in and get them replaced. No charge of course.

The skid plate is the same whether it is factory or Mopar. Check out the All-J's skids at boulderbars.com for more beefy skids.

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Doug

Nothing insightful
02 KJ Sport, Franken lifted, 245/75/16 MTR on Rubis, skids and sliders, and a bunch of other stuff I can't remember.

ok..I'll definitly be taking it in to take a look at the ball joints again. I have no worries but I'd rather be safe than sorry. And I figured they were the same skids but I didn't quite know for sure. I'll probably get the rest of the Mopar skids for the time being. Oh and by the way Fermill403, nice KJ. They look sharp in white dont they??

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02' Frankenlifted White Sport on 31" TrXus M/Ts

89' 2 Dr. Khaki XJ- Waggy 44's, 4.88s, 35's, 3-link on 5.5" coils.

Mopar does not make a tranny skid for 02-04. They do however make one for the 05 and up. A drill bit and a drill you can make it fit, however they are a wortless POS, the bend every time you hit a rock or something. Spend the money and get the All-J superskid.

The transfer skid is no longer available for the 02-04s. So if you see one used on the forum or Ebay or something buy it. You will be sorry that you didn't.

For the gas tank you can get the mopar one, they work fine, never had a problem.

Probably the mod that I am most happy with and glad that I bought are the sliders. Yeah they were expensive, but the first time I came down on a rock hard they paid for themselves.

Hope this helps and welcome
Happy KJing

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Doug

Nothing insightful
02 KJ Sport, Franken lifted, 245/75/16 MTR on Rubis, skids and sliders, and a bunch of other stuff I can't remember.

So really my only source for skids is All-J. Well thats good anyways because I am probably going to be getting the frankenlift. Thanks for your help and see you on the trail.

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02' Frankenlifted White Sport on 31" TrXus M/Ts

89' 2 Dr. Khaki XJ- Waggy 44's, 4.88s, 35's, 3-link on 5.5" coils.

Do you know how to weld? or know anyone who does? you could fab up some skids to save more $$$

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My opinions & advice are taken at your own risk.
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2002 Patriot Blue KJ - Coming soon!
2006 Black LJ (Wrangler Unlimited), auto, custom skids, 3.5" Rubicon Express, Aussie D30, Rocker Guards & Cooper AT3 235x85r16
2009 Patriot Blue D2500, 5.7L Hemi, 4x4, Quad Cab
1967 Alberg 37' Masthead rigged Sloop

You know..I've honestly thought of this! My dad is an excellent welder (went to welding school) and can weld anything from Aluminum to steel. I ride ATVs and he designed an aluminum skid plate at our machinists place (my dad works w/ a machinist on the side) and it works great. Of course it's alot easier to build on for a quad and especially out of aluminum because it's easy to bend and it doesn't need to be that tough for motocross. But I have thought about that option before. Maybe I'll throw that past my dad...he loves designing and making things. I imagine it would have to be pretty heavy steel. I'll see if I can get him into the whole "Jeep" thing. He's hesitant because he almost lost his life in a CJ accident before I was born w/ a friend.

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02' Frankenlifted White Sport on 31" TrXus M/Ts

89' 2 Dr. Khaki XJ- Waggy 44's, 4.88s, 35's, 3-link on 5.5" coils.

you were born with a friend? that's wierd


Mark

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The Mopar skids are fine to start with, and cheap enough to throw or give away when you get something beefier.

I had all mopar skids on in Moab and they helped, believe me. I now have a Super Skid II from All J mated up with the rest of the Mopar skids.

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2008 Unlimited Rubicon - 3.5" AEV/Nth lift - 35" MT/R with Kevlar - AEV Wheels - York OBA
2008 Patriot - Fuel Saver

hahaha ...yea let me rephrase that one....My dad was almost killed w/ a friend in a CJ accident before I was born. I wasn't born w/ a friend!!

Pixeldzn..I'll do what you said and stick w/ the mopar skids until I need to upgrade. I'm new to the offroading scene so I don't need something super beefy until I get the hang of it and start doing it more. This is my first vehicle and it will see some highway miles to school and back!! Thanks for your help guys.

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02' Frankenlifted White Sport on 31" TrXus M/Ts

89' 2 Dr. Khaki XJ- Waggy 44's, 4.88s, 35's, 3-link on 5.5" coils.

All J is not your only option for skids and aftermarket stuff. JeepinbyAl (on here) sells Skid Row and other types of products. Just search through the forums here, and google Jeep parts or Liberty stuff, whatever. You may find something new and be able to share it with us.
All J is a good supporter of LOST, but they are not the only thing out there. Do your research, and if you have problems, discuss them with the vendors first, then you can give us a heads up about the product and customer service.

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I'm baaaaccckkk...
LOST Member 10
If you can read this you don't need glasses, go Wheel your Jeep!

If your dad can weld then I would go with the OE skids and have him fab up a trany skid I had one built and paid for it to be welded and still spent only 1/2 the cost of others so if your dad can weld thats what i would do. I have wheeled my plenty with no bends. I could give you the info needed as well as what I will do on the next one to make it the best skid hands down
let me know if you want my plans

FastTrx,

I just had my Libby in for transmission service this past weekend and learned of the NEW LBJ recall. I got mine replaced. As the others who posted said, it is free and the way my dealer service guy was talking, definitely worth it. He painted a picture of the older ones just popping out on you and that was enough for me!

That and my transmission service, a full service btw, only took a couple of hours and I feel a whole lot better about things now.

Anyhow, just my 2 cents worth!

darrel

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2005 Liberty Sport, 3.7L, Auto

Jason, Yea I definitly think that I'll be talking to my dad when he gets home (he works in Wisconsin and comes home on the weekends) about mocking up a skid for the KJ. I definitly think he can do it and I've been under my KJ looking at certain things...just checking it out. I'm pretty happy w/ my KJ so far and can't wait to put the mods on it and take it wheeling. Also...I think I've read in the past that you aren't lifted yet...how has everything gone on the trail w/ out a lift?? It'll be awhile before I lift mine seeing as I don't have sufficient enough funds to get one quite yet and I have other plans before the lift. I just want to make sure that I'll be ok out there w/ out the lift and still be able to tackle a few things and not have to worry. I'm not expecting to be "SuperKJ" and make it over everything unlifted but I don't want to let it stop me!! If you want to share your plans that would be awesome!

Wolf...Yea I'm going to get them changed by the dealer ASAP. I know this has been a big problem w/ many KJ owners and It's a problem I DEFINITLY don't want to run into especially when you're life could be at risk!! I've done further research on the LBJs and even checked mine w/ the information provided from the Sticky Thread at the top of this forum. Everything seems ok and It has been taken care of but I will still make sure they get changed again. Thanks for all your help and the heads up.

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02' Frankenlifted White Sport on 31" TrXus M/Ts

89' 2 Dr. Khaki XJ- Waggy 44's, 4.88s, 35's, 3-link on 5.5" coils.

[quote="FastTRX"] If you want to share your plans that would be awesome!
quote]

Yeah Jason. How are we gonna make that skid the best? I need some beef under the tranny

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'03 Sport 4x4 140k miles. Yeah, she's had some work done

I will try to find the plans and PM them to you
here is a recent pic of us wheelin and we are totaly stock other than some Wrangler AT/S's

Here are a few more from another trip we took in I think March
I say get the skids and some hooks and go wheel but get involved with some local clubs and talk to the older guys find out who you can "trust" or some one who will take you "under their wing" and wheel with them and learn what you and your rigs limits after you learn what you can and can't do stock then get a lift

Thats awesome....great pics!! Thats proof that these little suckers are definitly capable wheeler's in stock trim!!! After seeing your pics I can't wait to go on a run w/ the LOST Midwest group at the badlands on the 28th!! It'll be my first real run besides playing around out back behind our house. As for the skids..talked to my dad tonite and he's interested in seeing what we can do. We'll see what we can do when we get your plans. I also am in auto cad right now so I could possibly do a drawing of one on the computer...unless it's already in Cad form. Thanks.

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02' Frankenlifted White Sport on 31" TrXus M/Ts

89' 2 Dr. Khaki XJ- Waggy 44's, 4.88s, 35's, 3-link on 5.5" coils.

LOL auto cad

no but it sounds like if I just give you the concept you can run with it so here it is from memory the wife has the KJ
using all .25" thick mats. 16" wide at the cross member up front and 20" at the trans cross member or mount
let 3" over lap each cross member run some 1X1" angle 2" from the edge going front to back between the cross members and 2 more welded on the out side edge under the plate and cut holes as needed for bolts and oil drain
I will try to find the pics I have
if you have questions ask

here is one pre paint pre bolt holes and pre "up grade"