bbrider

So I thought I didn't need a jeep and sold my 2010. WRONG! Now I just couldn't stand it and ran across this 2015 used. Made the deal and brought it home. I love it. It had already had several things done to it, but it wasn't mine yet so to speak. So my first mod thus far is I pulled that cheap plastic lower skid off the front and pitched it in the trash. Then I built me a new metal skid to take it's place and hide the cross bar. It is painted with black bed liner. Tell me what you think.

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/atta...1&d=1465157153

2Wolfes

Looks nice. I'm a new JK owner (Firecracker Red - 2016 Willys picked up last month) and haven't done much to the stock creature that sits in the driveway. I was wondering about the plastic stuff. Not a fabricator or mechanic by any means but have time to mess with stuff in my retirement Is that a steel plate or sheet metal? Wondering about the gauge.

bbrider

I would say it is 10 gauge. It started out as metal building C channel that I had left over. I cut it 40"s long and 7"s wide. Then reduced the lower edge 1 1/2" each side to give it an angled look. After that I cut the one remaining 2" lip of the C down to 1/2" so I had an L shape with the short part of the L 1/2". I did that to give it some rigidity along the bottom edge. Drilled 3 holes in the cross bar with the metal clamped in place for the bolts. Next I made to V shaped pieces 1 1/2" wide with 2" legs. I pushed those in on each end between the underside of the bumper and my skid plate and marked their location on the plate.

After removing the plate I welded the V tabs in place. After reinstall I drilled through the bumper lower plate through the tabs and bolted the top in. All I had to do then is pull it back of and paint.

The arm that the cross bar is supported by on the passenger side was 1/4" longer than on the drivers side so I did have to trim it before I did any drilling to get the skid plate level with the bumper though.

2Wolfes

Thanks. Not too sure I could duplicate all that but certainly gives me ideas. Nice job for sure.