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Finally finished my CJ7 flat belly skid

4K views 6 replies 5 participants last post by  JeepDawg 
#1 ·
This Xmas I got a Hobart 185 welder, and decided to put it to good use. Here are the specs on my Jeep that matter for this:

35" tires
2.5" lift
Chevy 350 V8
Dana 300 clocked
TH350 trans
2 piece front driveshaft

After installing the engine and at the same time clocking the Tcase, I fabricated a tubular crossmember which attaches solid at the adaptor, and poly bushings at the frame (same as at the engine).

For the skidplate, I first made a template out of 10 pieces of cardboard, and had those pieces cut out of 1/8" steel. After lots of tacking, trial fitting, and so on, I finally had it fit properly to the underside of my Jeep MINUS reinforcements. The welded on stiffeners are 1/8" x 1" angle iron fully welded. I surrounded the trans pan and Tcase as close as I could. I am 1/4" to 1/2" from the tranny pan. I had seen all kinds of different skids made of round or square tubing, thick single wall plate, etc. In the end I decided the best compromise of protection, strength, low deflection, and weight was this solution. It weighs about 70lbs. I now have 17" to the bottom of the lowest part of the skid. All exhaust and muffler is tucked above frame rails.













 
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#5 ·
I finally figured it out I think. You don't do ANY of this work you show! Your garage never gets ANYthing done inside it except pictures. Your garage is a STUDIO! That's how you manage to keep that thing so damn clean, nothing happens there!

Hah, your dirty little secret has been discovered. :grin:
 
#7 ·
Hey Spook....I used to think the same thing too about Pnut's garage...but I did see a pic once that showed some real dirt and grease on the floor...along with parts all over the place.....But then again, if you saw how cute his little girl is, you would understand why he keeps it clean for her....

Matt...looks good....while I don't have a skid plate built for mine yet, I totally agree with having the tranny support separate from the skid plate....I love how easy it is to work underneath without all that stuff in the way...

So...your going to the Bash....fantastic...looking forward to getting a close look at the jeep....
 
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