Nate's 2002 TJ, Not so simple anymore by gst95dsm

8 minute(s) of a 391 minute read

I was thinking the same thing. Not to mention shipping the bumper AND a 1/4" T-case skid across the country for $15. Crazy!

Well here is the sexiness.... I know it just looks like a black blob in the photos, but trust me it's a pretty sleek looking front end now. I've gained about 2" of approach angle and even more if you count not having my shackle mounts sticking way out that I would regularly hit on stuff. One negative I found is that the shackle mounts are for 3/4" pin, shackles, that seems odd to me.

Ah crap... you can't even see it. Later on I'll get it into the sunlight and take a better pic.

Well the install of the Barnes flat skid happened today. Overall it went really well, considering I was planning on having lots of issues.  

Basically you need to either have a cable shifter, or figure out how to lower the factory linkage as you raise the T'case. This is actually pretty easily accomplished by cutting up and redrilling the factory bracket attached to the T'case. In this configuration it shifts as well as it ever has. I was surprised I was able to get it working so easily, I thought I would need to make my own brackets, or just dish out for the Novak. I may still go Novak just to simplify everything and get better shifting action.  

The barnes skid come with no holes drilled for the T-case mount. I just used the mount from my RC skid, measured things up and welded it on. Then just take a few more measurements and drill some bolt access holes into the skid. Pretty simple, just measure accurately. Another way to handle this, that was my back up plan would be some basic C channel to create the recessed mount.  

The next thing is to check clearance with the bent lip of the skid on both sides, I had to make some notches for the front driveshaft, the Trans itself, the Cat hanger and the Muffler. Cut with my grinder and faired smooth with the flap.  

After one quick coat of paint.... Just showing the trans mount holes.

After several times bolting it up, checking things, and taking it back down it's pretty tiring by yourself! The skid is nice though, and the 2" I gained in belly clearance is obviously a huge deal.  

Gotta love it... 

A decently respectable number for a 35" rig that pretty low.

I will say the flat belly comes at cost in the NVH department. You are basically pushing everything up so high that you're taking all or most of the neutrality out of each rubber mount basically putting the entire powertrain into a bind. This will inherently cause more NVH and yes I feel it. It's basically a very high frequency vibe related to engine RPM. I could, and may still look at some ways to neutralize the mounts again but it's now in such an unnatural position it would be difficult. Raising the motor up another 1" inch would really help. Also cutting off and welding the cat mount hanger would help a lot. It's by no means even annoying to drive as is, I'm actually surprised I'm not hearing any rattles or clanking or feeling any heavy vibes. It's very drivable, but I know neutrality within the mounts would be a good thing to restore. One thing that kind of surprised me was how weird it felt having the shifter up higher.... It felt suuuuuper high! haha.

10-16-2013

So I went ahead and cut out some motor mount spacers on the plasma. Not sure if I need all 4 but just incase I made them. This should make the engine height perfect and give me the 1/4 inch more clearance I'd like to have between the front of the skid and the transmission.

Well the motor mount lift spacers worked out well, 2 on each side for a total of 3/8ths lift and motor mounts are fairly neutral, and I've increased the space between the trans and skid to avoid any contact at the very front of the skid. I'll tackle the cat hanger next.

10-17-2013

Had to dedicate this morning to my truck! Between the wrenching and wheeling lately it's been neglected. I don't think it was ever as dirty. Anyone else neglect their other vehicles for their jeep?? She's nice and clean again now.

10-18-2013

Took some time to adjust my exhaust for the flat skid, it worked out well. I basically just cut one of the cat support arms in half so I could more easily manipulate the hanger in my vise to the orientation that let it sit neutral in the mount and also set the height to center it between the tub and the skid. Then I just welded the hanger back solid and reinstalled. Overall vibration at idle dropped significantly! I'm very pleased to have the power train sitting in a state of neutrality!  

Notice where I cut and welded and also notice the mount looking pretty happy in its rubber bushing.

10-21-2013

The jeep is loaded and ready for the Dusy tomorrow..... well a portion of it at least. I'm excited!  


http://youtube/zqkxVi2D9Ng

10-22-2013

Well the Dusy is a pretty magical place. I'm used to wheeling in this area but this trail stands on it's own in regards to beauty. It wasn't the adrenaline filled day I thought I was hoping for, but it ended up being a day full of awesome scenery and endurance. We did 21 off road miles today. Most of them loose rocks and boulders. Our goal was to make it to Thompson hill (10 mile point) and we did. Thomson hill was the highlight of the wheeling. I don't know of another hill that long with that many loose boulders, rocks, trees and a decent angle. I shot a pretty cool video of it start to finish...... It's around 10min from bottom to top...... that's a LONG hill! Overall great day..... I'm VERY exhausted. Left at 5am, home at 830pm. Haha.... Oh yeah the Jeep did very well today. Seemed a little "creaky" than last trip. I think that means I need to do some maintenance / lubrication stuff.  

Here's a few pics.... video is uploading. About 75% of my photos didn't come out because of shadows from the trees.... darn it.

















I had no idea I got my friend in this photo but I think it's a cool.