Flat skid to replace shovel stock skid?

[92yj97xj]

I know there are the belly up/tummy tuck skid plates,(which is what comes up on a search) but what are good choices for just replacing the stock skid with more of a flatter type of surface, any recommendations, especially any that would just bolt up?

Thanks for any feedback and this is for a 04 SWB TJ

[stevensinger]

You know i was wondering the same thing for my LJ 2006 Rubicon.

[Vacant Stare]

If you want a straight bolt-on that doesn't require exhaust mods, a body lift etc, I think the Clayton Offroad skid is probably your best bet. You won't gain much (if any) additional clearance, but you will have a smoother surface that's also much tougher than the stock skid.

[mad scientist]

TnT Customs....has a replacement skid for the stock shovel...bolts right in place with no modifications needed(ie body lift, MML, SYE)....I recently installed one and it's beefy, 1/4" I think, and I gained just about an inch of ground clearance. only issue with install was having to clearance part of the bracketry on the top of the skid because it was contacting the front of the tranny mount, and had to cut down the tranny mount bolts cause they stuck out the bottom of the skid.

[stevensinger]

Does TnT make one for the LJ?

[kaybone]

got Links?

[Scotch740]

1/4" flat skid Links also in my sig, as well as matching engine skid. I got a dimensioned drawing on there as well, so you can just take it to your local fab shop.

Jeeprocks86 made a nice one as well.

[mad scientist]

Originally Posted by stevensinger

Does TnT make one for the LJ?

not sure if there's any difference between the TJ and Unlimited skids....it's not on their website, good friend of mine is a TnT dealer and I got it thru him...you could give TnT a call and ask.

[92yj97xj]

Thanks for the replys...

Here is a link to the Clayton skid, looks great but it looks like it is to be used with their long arm lift??: http://www.claytonoffroad.com/index.aspx?sdr=/get.doc.aspx&qs=LD:Products%20Other&l=category&p=a rmor

Here is the TnT link, but didn't see any info: http://www.tntcustoms.com/webV5/TJ_HDBellypan.asp

Originally Posted by scotch740

1/4" flat skid Links also in my sig, as well as matching engine skid. I got a dimensioned drawing on there as well, so you can just take it to your local fab shop.

Jeeprocks86 made a nice one as well.

That looks excellent, but I'm actually trying not to do all of that, I just wnt to get a bit flatter skid replacement for the stock one, without lifting and doing an actually belly up.

[Crashnburn80]

Originally Posted by 92yj97xj

That looks excellent, but I'm actually trying not to do all of that, I just wnt to get a bit flatter skid replacement for the stock one, without lifting and doing an actually belly up.

I do not think such a skid exists for the 03-06 TJ, especially for the Rubicon. Since our Tcase is different we require a Rubi specific skid.

Skids like this exist for the 97-02:
https://rs325.securehostserver.com/~extremem/osCommerce/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=97&osCsid=af 4cefb667a5a1a7702607a1ea643481

But with the Rubi our choices are more limited. The best bet would be Jeep Medic, which lifted the skid 2", but they went out of business and their products were made to order, so thats no longer an option.

Probably the next best thing would be the terraflex belly up. A BL is recommended for Rubis though, you could purchase this belly up and then use a Tcase lowering kit or washers to lower it so the belly up is not as extreme. Making the 2 3/8" belly up into a 1 3/8" belly up, which would not cause as much of a change to your driveshaft angle and also making it so you dont needing the 1" BL. You do need to relocate your locker air pumps though with this skid:

http://www.4x4groupbuy.com/store/teraflex-belly-skid-plate-but03-p-4698.html

[Dogman]

Originally Posted by Crashnburn80

Probably the next best thing would be the terraflex belly up. A BL is recommended for Rubis though, you could purchase this belly up and then use a Tcase lowering kit or washers to lower it so the belly up is not as extreme. Making the 2 3/8" belly up into a 1 3/8" belly up, which would not cause as much of a change to your driveshaft angle and also making it so you dont needing the 1" BL. You do need to relocate your locker air pumps though with this skid:

http://www.4x4groupbuy.com/store/teraflex-belly-skid-plate-but03-p-4698.html

The good thing about that is when you do want the full belly up, you've already got the skid.

[92yj97xj]

[QUOTE=Crashnburn80]I do not think such a skid exists for the 03-06 TJ, especially for the Rubicon. Since our Tcase is different we require a Rubi specific skid.

Well.... That is what I was afraid of, but thought something might be out there..... I really like my jeep (it out drives me) but the design of that stock (shovel!) skid plate is horrible....

Thanks for the idea on the terraflex, sounds like a good idea.

[VinoTJ]

something like a Skid Row Engine/Oil Skid will connect to your stock TC Skid (Shovel) and allow for better moving over obstacles.

The Skid Row skid will also mate-up with the 33 Engineering TC Skid & Nth (AEV) Tummy Tucker if you want to do it in steps (like I did).

[mad scientist]

Originally Posted by 92yj97xj

Well.... That is what I was afraid of, but thought something might be out there..... I really like my jeep (it out drives me) but the design of that stock (shovel!) skid plate is horrible....

Thanks for the idea on the terraflex, sounds like a good idea.

just spoke with my buddy, and TnT does have the HD replacement belly pan for 03-06 TJ's as well, including the Rubi. You'd still have to figure out a way to relocate your air compressor for your lockers, but you will need to do that anyway with a replacement skid like a belly-up.
Contact Joe at EndlessMtnFab here: Joe@EndlessMtnFab.com great prices and great service, he'll also be able to help you figure out relocating your air compressor. he's a vendor for many off-road companies and can get pretty much any part you want/need....hope this helps...like I said before, I have this skid on my TJ and it's MUCH better and alot simpler than the stock shovel, with very minor modifications needed to install......no BL/MML/driveshaft or exhaust mods needed...

[lucasinpsj]

check out 33 enginering. I have been looking at their skid sinse medic is now gone. It appears to offer the most clearance from what i've read.