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Trying to stabilize a sagging skid plate

Discussion in 'Wrangler TJ (1996-2006)' started by johnd205, Oct 30, 2018.

  1. Oct 30, 2018 at 8:05 PM
    #1
    johnd205

    johnd205 [OP] New Member

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    Hello, I have a 2001 Wrangler TJ with serious frame corrosion. I’m not handy with major repairs so to there’s not much more I can do with it. The skid plate is holding on to the frame by only one side, meaning 3 bolts. So the transfer case is sagging a little. Of course I’m nuts driving it in this condition, as gentle as I am with it, but I don’t have an alternative just yet. Sometime soon I will sell it for parts.

    But to get to my question: are any reasonably inexpensive ways to stretch out the life of this vehicle, even by just the few months I need to save for another vehicle, by at least stopping the above skid plate situation from getting worse, as in, quick-and-dirty emergency repair? For example, I saw on some forum that someone had used a chain to hold up the skid plate, but I’m not knowledgeable enough to know how to do this correctly and safely. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!
     
  2. Oct 30, 2018 at 8:22 PM
    #2
    aggrex

    aggrex Well-Known Member

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    Tuffy>AEV>TTO>JW>STech>EVOcage>MagnaFlow>SpiderTrax>RockHard>TF>SpringTail>67design>Bolt>GPCA>Curt>
    Welcome! Not a great idea driving around with a t/c skid half held on that supports the t/c. Get someone to drill some new holes bolt up the loose side or have them install that chain. Too bad your not handy enough to do some of those temporary "fixes". When time or funds allow have a good body/frame mechanic inspect the frame before condemning the jeep.
     
  3. Oct 31, 2018 at 7:55 AM
    #3
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine Moderator

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    Welcome to the site!
     
  4. Oct 31, 2018 at 8:25 AM
    #4
    Prerunner1982

    Prerunner1982 Well-Known Member

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    Welcome John.
    sorry to hear about your Jeep having cancer.
    Mine does too, but thankfully it is only the floorboards but I need to get to it soon.

    I could see running a chain around each frame rail underneath the transfercase and using a turnbuckle to get it tight enough to support the trans/tcase but if the frame rails are in such bad shape I would fear bending them.
     
  5. Oct 31, 2018 at 6:43 PM
    #5
    JKBob 25

    JKBob 25 Well-Known Member

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    Welcome to the forum.
    If I read your post correctly. Your using the skid plate to hold up the transfer case? That's not the purpose of skid plates. I'd find out why the transfer case is sagging. And fix that issue. Remove skid plate altogether. Just my opinion.
     
  6. Oct 31, 2018 at 8:59 PM
    #6
    Prerunner1982

    Prerunner1982 Well-Known Member

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    I assumed he meant the cross member that acts as the trans/tcase mount.
     
  7. Nov 1, 2018 at 6:14 PM
    #7
    JKBob 25

    JKBob 25 Well-Known Member

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    Ahh.....
    Hey @johnd205 . If you could post up a couple pics. It would give us a better idea of what your lookin to do here.
     
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