Skid Plates

[modelbuilder]

I need to get skid plates and the mopar factory skid plates will be sufficient for the type of trails I do.

My 05 Grand WK has the Gas Skid Plate. But it is the incorrect version that does not have the tabs that connect to the t-case skid plate.

Is there a down side to welding the back portion of the t-case skid to the front portion of the gas skid plate? If I ever needed to remove the gas skid both plates would come off as a unit.

Here is a pic....

http://www.jeep.com/en/2009/grand_cherokee/capability/off_road_performance/

 

[winkosmosis]

The transfercase skid goes all the way back to the gas tank skid? Does it go over the rear axle?


Instead of welding both together, how about bolting tabs to one skid, then bolting on the other skid?

 

[ExpoMike]

If you are considering welding the two together, why don't you just weld some tabs onto the fuel skid plate and make them bolt together like they should?

Oh, make sure you remove the skids before welding around the tank. My guess is it's a plastic tank and will not take any heat near it.

 

[winkosmosis]

If you are considering welding the two together, why don't you just weld some tabs onto the fuel skid plate and make them bolt together like they should?

Oh, make sure you remove the skids before welding around the tank. My guess is it's a plastic tank and will not take any heat near it.

I was going to say that, but then I figured, why not just use bolts on both?

 

[ox4mag]

Have you considered looking at what 4xguard.com offers? I'm using one of their front/belly/rear skid plates on my 07 WK and they didn't require welding and are extremely high quality/low cost compared to the Mopar stuff. Just a suggestion.

 

[modelbuilder]

I thought about 4xgaurd but they are more expensive than the mopar parts.

I'm looking at $100 for the mopar parts vs. $402 for 4xgaurd.

 

[modelbuilder]

Hmm...any advice on welding? I like the idea of welding tabs to the gas skid.

I'm wondering if I can rent one (or find a local member) and do it myself.


.

 

[ExpoMike]

Not that I am right next door but if you come down to San Diego, I can help you out with the welding. I have two different MIG's (110v, 220v). May be a few more weeks before I can get to them though, working on my '68 truck project and can't get the welders out yet. Hopefully should having a rolling chassis soon, which will let me get to them.

 

[modelbuilder]

Awesome. I might take you up on the offer. I'll PM you in a couple weeks to see if you are free. Always looking to learn from other expo members. Lunch is on me.

 

[winkosmosis]

But why weld anything? If a bolt on one side is good enough, why not a bolt on both pieces? The only reason they weld the tabs at the factory is probably that it's cheaper

 

[modelbuilder]

I meant to say that I need to weld tabs on the gas plate skid so the t-case can be bolted down.

The other version of my gas tank skid has tabs that allow the t-case skid to be bolted in the front and back (to the gas tank skid). My tank skid is missing those tabs. Rather then buy a whole new skid I can just weld tabs that will allow the t-case skid to be bolted.

 

[getlost4x4]

you should be able to weld without dropping the skid from the tank if you keep the heat down and weld in short bursts, just let them cool down or use a wet rag on the welds to quench the heat. make sure you fuel tank is full before you start. the fuel will help absorb the heat as well keeping the tank from melting.