Oil Pan Skid Plate - Should I Replace It?

BKH · **Posted:** Sat Aug 18, 2007 1:06 pm

When I had the oil changed on my CRD Ltd. this week, the service adviser jokingly asked me if I do a lot of off-roading. Service folks usually look at my Jeep, with its custom leather interior, etc., and figure that it's never seen anything but paved roads and snow. Not so! Apparently the technician who changed the oil had his boss come and look at the oil pan skid plate. The oil-pan skid plate has had its share of hits over the last two years. I've pushed it up into the oil pan a little, but there are no leaks, etc. The service adviser told me that it's no big deal now, but to just make sure that I don't have any oil leaks on my garage floor. Our of curiosity (and fear of my wallet being drained?) I asked how much it would be to replace the oil pan and the skid plate. He said it would be about $600 for everything - but he said it would be a waste of money right now. I agree.

But I thought I'd ask if you all agree with what he told me - both when to replace and $ to replace. I never had this issue with my old Cherokee - guess that extra inch or two of ground clearance makes a LOT of difference.

Thanks for any advice.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Sat Aug 18, 2007 1:08 pm

Got pics? I gotta see this!

BKH · **Posted:** Sat Aug 18, 2007 1:11 pm

I didn't think to get a pic. I saw it the last time I had the oil changed - it didn't look THAT bad to me, but it was obvious that the skid plate had taken a major hit (and proved its value about 100x over!).

corwyyn · **Posted:** Sat Aug 18, 2007 2:22 pm

I'd say replace the skid now; they cost around $50 so you could go thru 12 of them for what the dealer quoted you on the oil pan job. A couple more good hits on mine and I'll be looking at replacing it then start the denting process all over again.

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Sat Aug 18, 2007 4:11 pm

Someone had a post recently, I think in the "Fabrication" forum where they did a modification to the tranny skid to reinforce it. You might want to check that out and see if you can straighten and reinforce your current skid rather than replacing it. Unless it is damaged alot you might end up with a stronger skid and not any mor money.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Sat Aug 18, 2007 4:17 pm

What is an oil pan skid?

$600 :shock:

They must think you are a total sucker/loser to quote that line of BS!

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Sat Aug 18, 2007 4:26 pm

Tokyojoe wrote:

What is an oil pan skid?

$600 :shock:

They must think you are a total sucker/loser to quote that line of BS!

Joe,

I think if you re-read that was to remove the destroyed skid, remove the destroyed transmission pan, replace with new and probably service the transmission filters and fluid at the same time since they were at it. It was a hypothetical "how much to fix it after the pan starts to leak fluid?"

TDI4BY · **Joined:** Sun Apr 02, 2006 11:56 pm **Posts:** 644

I think my CRD came with one of the weak front skids because it is getting pushed up close to the pan too. I must have hit something in the Mall parking lot. he he he ...

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sat Aug 18, 2007 5:07 pm

I wouldnt pay more than $100 to put a new mopar skid on and fix that leak.

Pablo · **Joined:** Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:06 pm **Posts:** 1201

The skid that comes with the CRDs is crap-- I do not believe it is the standard Mopar skid plate-- it is even thinner than the standard cheap Mopar one. It is a one-hit wonder. Yours as had its one hit and now you should get something else under there. The Mopar one is cheap, or you could go aftermarket, call All-J or skidrow (skidrow used to make a skid for this, not sure anymore).

0311_DoC · **Posted:** Sat Aug 18, 2007 6:34 pm

Yea i was wondering the same thing in another thread

LiLredLibby · **Posted:** Sat Aug 18, 2007 10:18 pm

Cowcatcher wrote:

Tokyojoe wrote:

What is an oil pan skid?

$600 :shock:

They must think you are a total sucker/loser to quote that line of BS!

Joe,

I think if you re-read that was to remove the destroyed skid, remove the destroyed transmission pan, replace with new and probably service the transmission filters and fluid at the same time since they were at it. It was a hypothetical "how much to fix it after the pan starts to leak fluid?"

On Joes behalf....I did'nt see the word transmission mentioned anywhere.He said Oil Pan about 3 or 4 times.And he did mention that it's not leaking right now,so if it's not broke......why fix it?

Ron

the1jferg · **Posted:** Sat Aug 18, 2007 10:35 pm

BKH,

If you take the skid off youself and drive over it to flatten it out, cost you nothing.

If your oilpan ain't crushed bad enough to significantly reduce volume, interfere with the pump, or leaking, I'd leave it alone.

CowCatcher, I re-read and didn't see anything about tranny? All I saw was the mechanic is taking advantage of someone because they have a CRD with Custom red interior.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Sun Aug 19, 2007 1:16 am

The thing is the stock CRD engine skid is really just a noise reducer with a thin metal skin to hold it together. I don't know if the stock 3.7L engine skid fits because the front diff hangs lower. I have the ASFIR engine skid with a trap door for front diff access.

TDI4BY · **Joined:** Sun Apr 02, 2006 11:56 pm **Posts:** 644

Why does the front skid have that stupid big oval hole in it that scoops up dirt and rocks? I was just thinking of welding some extra material to mine for free/cheap.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Sun Aug 19, 2007 8:31 am

The oval hole is so you can remove the oil filter, if I am correct.

Is that the skid the CRD gets? No wonder it bends so easily. If you could press some grooves into it, it would be pretty solid.....though it wouldn't fit anymore.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Sun Aug 19, 2007 8:48 am

If anyone needs the OEM CRD SKID and SOUND DEADNING LINER I have one in new condition. Just PM me. I use the term "skid" lightly :lol:

spoonplugger1 · **Posted:** Sun Aug 19, 2007 9:32 am

I replaced my CRD skid with a factory 3.7 skid which is twice as thick easily. Since they both fit and are structurally identical, including the front attachment brackets, except for the pan's thickness, I don't understand why they even designed the thinner one.

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Sun Aug 19, 2007 11:34 am

the1jferg wrote:

BKH,

If you take the skid off youself and drive over it to flatten it out, cost you nothing.

If your oilpan ain't crushed bad enough to significantly reduce volume, interfere with the pump, or leaking, I'd leave it alone.

CowCatcher, I re-read and didn't see anything about tranny? All I saw was the mechanic is taking advantage of someone because they have a CRD with Custom red interior.

I guess I miss read it. Maybe because I was putting on my tranny and diff skid yesterday.

If the engine skid and the engine oil pan are the issues $600 is cheap. There are others here who cross threaded their drain plugs on this cast pan and the price tag was $800 just for the pan.

bugnout · **Posted:** Sun Aug 19, 2007 12:54 pm

spoonplugger1 wrote:

I replaced my CRD skid with a factory 3.7 skid which is twice as thick easily. Since they both fit and are structurally identical, including the front attachment brackets, except for the pan's thickness, I don't understand why they even designed the thinner one.

I didn't realize that the skids on the CRD were different. Is it just the Tranny skid thats different or the engine skid as well?

Oil Pan Skid Plate - Should I Replace It?

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