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Factory front skid & lift


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I just put my factory front skid plate back on, seems it is a might bit close to the steering linkages . I would imagine that on road driving will be ok , But when I flex it offorad it might bind the steering?

 

Is anyone here running the stock skid and about 4.5" of lift? does the steering hit the skid when flexed with the wheels turned at lock one way or the other? :?

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Yeah, one our XJ its about 8” lift with the stock skid. Seemed like it would hit a lot but hardly ever does. Might be that is still has short arms and the axle is pulled back some but it’s fine for now. Don’t know if that’s any help.

 

On a side note I had a spare front skid I was going to put on my MJ but the holes on the drivers side are not taped and it’s a 4 cyl so on the other side there is a small motor dampener that uses all 3 mounting holes that the skid uses. Has anyone ever removed the motor dampener before?

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Cabz,

Mine is sitting at close to 6" . I have adjusted the LCA's to 16.5" and I have plenty of room for the steering linkages.

 

I have not really flexed it off road yet, but I did when I readjusted the ACOS after the leaf install, last week. I used my jack in the drive way.

 

CW

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On a side note I had a spare front skid I was going to put on my MJ but the holes on the drivers side are not taped and it’s a 4 cyl so on the other side there is a small motor dampener that uses all 3 mounting holes that the skid uses. Has anyone ever removed the motor dampener before?

 

Those DS holes should be tapped, maybe they're just crudded up. I put an XJ (4.0) skid on my 2.5, and it was an "interesting" job. The DS bolted right up, but the passenger side was a nightmare getting the 3 holes lined up. There's a spacer thingy at the frame end that you have to sandwich between the skid mount and the framerail while using your third hand to bend the mount into position....I ended up using a long 12" tapered punch thru one of the holes to get everything lined up while I got the other 2 bolts started. Not alot of room to work down there, either. After 2 blood-drawing injuries and a six pack, I got it on :) I can get a pic of it if you want to see what I'm talking about (?)

Jeff

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To be honest with you , I pulled the skids off of every MJ/XJ I ever owned, cause they were more of a PITA then they were worth. Plus up till the last run I made in Feb, I never hit anything up in that area :shock: Makes for a pita to change your alt BTW

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holla for the beauty of the 2.5L......my alt's on TOP of the engine :D Trust me, I can change it out in about 20 minutes :oops:

 

The only thing that skid got in the way of for me was the front tow hook brackets :slapshead: I shoulda put them on before I put the skid on.

 

For me, something's better than nothing, too. It's proven it's worth at least once since I've had it on...it took the brunt of a large rock rather than the diff cover. Popped the piece of channel loose on one end I hit so hard, and I had to get it welded back up.

 

Jeff

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To be honest with you , I pulled the skids off of every MJ/XJ I ever owned, cause they were more of a PITA then they were worth. Plus up till the last run I made in Feb, I never hit anything up in that area :shock: Makes for a pita to change your alt BTW

 

Couldn't agree with you more, mine is sitting along side the house taking up space. :-D

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While I agree, they really will not do much as off road protection once you get more than 3" or so of lift. They can and do help ON ROAD!! Take a good look at yours after driving on the road for a period of time!! I cleaned and painted mine all up and installed it. Maybe a month and a half ago. Its all dinged and scretched. I gave it a fresh coat of rustolium last week end. :)

 

They also really clean up the look of the area they cover.

 

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CW

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YOU GOT THAT RIGHT! It certainly does inhibit acess. My buddy got to re-attach the track bar after the recient ACSO adj and he was bitchin' me a blue streak, because of the skid plate!! :) :oops:

 

ROADLESS, no offence, taken!! :) ;)

 

CW

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Well I just adusted the steering adjuster closest to the skid and put it back on :D I just like the way it looks and keeps trash out of the alt.

 

Besides if I decide to ramp a mitsubishi it will make it a smooth transision over the fake wing :D

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  • 2 weeks later...

For you 2.5 guys out there who may want to install a factory skid.....I snapped some pics last night showing how the passenger side installs, incorporating the engine damper mount we have.

Jeff

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