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Go-Fer-It Low Profile Skid Plate | |
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CONTENTS 1) Vehicle Setup 2) Overview / Performance Review 3) Installation 4) Additional Resources 1) VEHICLE SETUP Current Vehicle Setup: - 2001 TJ 4.0L Automatic - Rubicon Express 2 Budget Boost - Spidertrax 1.25 Wheel Spacers - 32x11.50 BFG MTs on Canyon rims - M.O.R.E. 1 Motor Mount Lift - M.O.R.E. 1 Body Lift - Warn Rock Sliders - Warn 9.5xp Winch The following are the minimum REQUIRED for the installation of the Go-Fer-It low-profile skid plate: - 1 Motor Mount Lift - 1 Body Lift The automatic TJs also REQUIRE: - Transfer Case Shifter Relocation Bracket (Skyjacker) If your TJ already has a SUSPENSION LIFT of any height youll also need: - Slip Yoke Eliminator (JB Conversions HD NP231 w/ SYE) - CV Rear Driveshaft (Tom Woods CV Driveshaft) - Rear Adjustable Upper Control Arms (Nth Degree Mobility) 2) OVERVIEW / PERFORMANCE REVIEW While apparently a straight forward installation, the low-profile skid plate proved to be an adventure. This is a large section that goes into a detailed review of the skid plate and significant details so I would like to further refine the organization with a sub table of contents. - Stock Skid Plate Review - Go-Fer-It Physical Description - T-Case Shifter Alignment - Exhaust Clearance - Rear Trackbar Clearance - Offroad Performance - Package Contents - Cost Guidline Stock Skid Plate: I thought it would be instructive to examine the stock skid plate since it is actually a well designed, light weight undercarriage protection thats efficient to manufacture. It is stamped out of thick sheet metal less than 1/8 thick yet it was designed as an integral rear transmission / drive train support and as substantial protection. However, in order to achieve this performance the design incorporates deep corrugations and rolled edges for strength. This makes the stock skid plate very deep, measuring 4, which compromises off-road ground clearance. Additionally, the stock skid is often referred to as The Shovel because it scoops up a lot of terrain. Fortunately, the aftermarket came to the rescue and developed better solutions. Go-Fer-It Physical Description: The Go-Fer-It skid plate is a simple construction consisting of a 3/16 thick flame-cut steel plate (Fig. 1, 2, and 3) that provides significant ground clearance gains. Two 2 x 1 box steel sections are welded on each side of the plate. A formed steel reinforcement spans laterally across the top of the skid plate creating an Hshape of raised steel. The finish quality of the plate is rough, attesting to the small family business nature of the manufacturer. Flame-cut marks are visible in the central square access hole for the transmission mount and the front driveshaft notch. This is definitely not a precision laser cut mass produced piece but its also not priced like one. Finally, the whole skid plate has been painted black. The ends of the 2 x 1sections are open and have not been capped off with a welded piece of steel. I would have much preferred the manufacturer to close off the ends to prevent muck from building up inside. However, considering the skid plate is nearly half the cost of its competitors and saved me a significant amount Im willing to over look this and close up the ends myself. Also, the bolts supplied with the skid are not countersunk and do not flush mount. They are surface mount standard bolts. Stock Skid Plate Data - Height = 4.0 - Weight = 37 lb. Go-Fer-It Skid Plate Data - Height = 1.25 - Weight = 67 lb. Ground Clearance Gain = 2.75 T-Case Shifter Alignment: The manufacturer claims the skid plate requires only a 1 body lift and 1 motor mount lift. Discussions with other TJ owners indicates the shift linkage for the manual transmission functions okwith the installation of this skid plate. However, the transfer case shift linkage was way out of whack on my automatic TJ with the new skid plate installed. The primary pivot axle for the shift linkage has mounting points on the transfer case AND Jeep body. When the transfer case is raised over 2 (via high-clearance skid plate) its just too much for the stock linkage, even with the 1 body lift. Even with the body lift there was nearly 1.5 of difference between each end of the pivot axle. This creates a lot of binding as the entire linkage is now severely twisted. Even though the linkage mounts on the body and transfer case provide for such extreme angles its this authors opinion that the linkage should be properly addressed. [ continued . . . ] |
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