Rubi skidplate different from SE... ask me how I know!

exc911ence · 12-09-2004, 06:19 PM

Well, it was quiet at work today so I decided to fab up a set of transfer case lowering bars to cure my lifted SE of its vibes. Since I recently bought a full suspension set-up from an '04 Rubicon, I figured I could use the spare transfer case crossmember/skidplate as a template for laying out the holes for the frame bolts. Well, I fabbed up a sweet set of spacers out of 1x2" steel square tubing, drilled the holes per the Rubi skidplate and painted the whole shebang with POR-15 so they would never rust.

Well, they looked amazing! Too bad that only one of the three holes on each spacer jived with the holes in the framerails on my Jeep. What the heck?!? I proceeded to yank the stock skidplate from the Jeep and imagine my surprise that the two skidplates were COMPLETELY different! The Rubi plate is bigger with the framerail holes in different spots as well as having the holes for the transfer case studs in the center instead of at the front like on mine. Crap. The only thing I could do redrill the holes and shorten one of the spacers to fit the SE skidplate which is what I did. At the end of the day, they still look great and by-gum, they work! No more vibes. Life is good even though I have a 50lb Rubi skidplate kicking around that is useless for me...

So, does anyone know if this is a Rubi-only deal or did the mounting holes for the skidplate in the framerails change for all TJs sometime between 2001 and 2004?

BNovak · 12-09-2004, 08:07 PM

yup - I think it's cause the rubi has a different transfer case.

-BN

exc911ence · 12-09-2004, 08:57 PM

You'd think they'd use the same bolt locations on the frame though... there must be more to this!

Keith_C · 12-10-2004, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exc911ence

So, does anyone know if this is a Rubi-only deal or did the mounting holes for the skidplate in the framerails change for all TJs sometime between 2001 and 2004?

The cross-member was changed in '03.

BNovak · 12-10-2004, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exc911ence

You'd think they'd use the same bolt locations on the frame though... there must be more to this!

Yeah and you think they would have settled for one type of bolt too (SAE or Metric) and that didn't happen.

-BN

TJchick · 12-10-2004, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith_C

The cross-member was changed in '03.

This is what I have read too. Same skid, just the '03 change in mounting due to cross-member changes.

TJeeper · 12-10-2004, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJchick

This is what I have read too. Same skid, just the '03 change in mounting due to cross-member changes.

Actually, not the same skid. It drops down an inch lower, AKA the sow belly.

JerryC · 12-10-2004, 06:27 PM

Here is the correct answer:

All TJ T/C skids were changed to the shovel starting with the 2003 model year. It was done to accomodate the NV241OR T/C on the Rubicon and the 42RLE automatic on all models. The automatics also received the additional tranny skid.

TJchick · 12-10-2004, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJeeper

Actually, not the same skid. It drops down an inch lower, AKA the sow belly.

I was referring to all '03+ models...Rubis vs. SE, Sport, Sahara, X have the same skid. Sorry for the confusion.