YJ Flat Skid Plate

brandon.

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2013
Location
Raleigh
What would it take to allow me to use a flat skid plate? I have a 1991 yj with a 1-2 inch body lift (body bushings measure 2", not sure what they are stock), a clocked dana 300, and a manual transmission. Would I be able to get a flat skid with just a motor mount lift? I would prefer to not cut the body though I'm not opposed to using a hammer to open up a little space.
 
How close is your trans away from the trans tunnel? You could see how close to a flat belly you could get with removing everything on the trans and tc and use a jack to see how high you can get it before it contacts the tunnel. That's how I did a toy I built. Went totally flat after cutting out some tunnel.
 
I thought about doing that but 2 of my skid plate nutserts are spinning and 2 broken so I'll have to cut them out and install new ones if I want to drop the plate. I was hoping to do it all in one shot. It looks like I have a significant amount of room above the transmission and t-case. I might have to see if I can just disconnect the transmission mount and lift it without removing the skid plate.
 
Don't forget about your drive shaft angles. It may be on the edge of working now, bit what happens when you flex out?
 
GotWood said:
Don't forget about your drive shaft angles. It may be on the edge of working now, bit what happens when you flex out?
Click to expand...


Driveshaft should be fine, I have a d300 so shorter than the np231 and the mml will help. Even fully flexed now it isn't at a severe angle. I tried lifting the t-case and tranny to see if they would be above the level for the frame rails but I couldn't tell with the skid plate still in. I have tons of room everywhere except for a small bump over the edge of the t-case and stops it after lifting around an inch and a half. It looks like a piece I could just hit and fold over but I'm not sure how to without removing the t-case, any ideas? If I got that flattened I would have a ton of room to fit them.
 
I think you will be hard pressed to do a flat belly. I tried my best to clock my Atlas flat but just couldnt do it completely. I have a 1.5'' body lift and still had to cut a little bit of the floor. My atlas is I think two holes from being flat and I still have a little over two inches hanging below the frame. Be very cautious of yourdrive shaft angle. I'm at 116'' wheel base and still ground out my ds yokes for good measure on the rear.

Also I mounted my engine higher than I probably should have.
 
Like is already said you will be hard pressed to get a flat belly with all the beer you drink!!! sorry that what my wife tells me:)

to get a flat skid plate you will have to do some major cutting in the trans tunnel area, I will take some pictures as I have mine out right now
 
If you don't want to cut, its not going to happen. Tried when I was running the stock drivetrain with 300. I had a 2" BL as well. Main prob IIRC, was the front out put area of the t-case under the pass seat.
 
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