Rugged Ridge Heavy Duty Transfer Case Skid Plate, 07-14 Jeep Wrangler (2dr-4dr)
SKU: 18003.32
MSRP: $241.99
ONLINE PRICING: $165.00 on Amazon and other online sites
Description & Information
Rugged Ridge Black Transfer Case Skid Plate
Save your innards with bolt-on ease. This transfer case skid plate is designed to give you maximum protection for your costly transfer case components. Made from 4mm thick steel, this skid plate provides the ultimate protection of your transfer case.
Rugged Ridge Skid Plate Line
Need that ultimate rugged protection for your Jeep? Find that your current defense is not nearly enough to withstand harsh trail rides? Engineered to protect the most vulnerable areas of a Jeep’s underside, the Rugged Ridge Skid Plates shield eight major exposed mechanical components: steering, differentials, transfer case, engine, transmission, suspension arms, air conditioning and muffler. With a simple bolt-on installation, Rugged Ridge Skid Plates are an easy way to help prevent expensive damage from off-road obstacles. Each one is constructed of heavy-duty steel and comes standard with both a durable black powder coat and rust-resistant E-coating. The frame mount design utilizes existing factory bolt holes and incorporates special gussets and fully-welded brackets, making them tough enough to withstand anything on the trail.
Limited 5-Year Warranty
Subject to the terms, exclusions and limitations herein and with respect only to products first sold in the United States, Omix-ADA warrants to the initial retail purchaser (“purchaser”) only that when installed and used on purchaser’s vehicle according to supplied product installation instructions and/or warnings, purchaser’s Omix-ADA product shall be free of defects in material and workmanship for five (5) years.
My thoughts
I received the Rugged Ridge Heavy Duty Transfer Case Skid Plate earlier last week and the skid came in a well packaged box and everything was wrapped in protective material to guarantee a non-damaged delivery. Once I opened the box, I found that all the supplied hardware and install instructions were there to make for an easy install. The actual skid is very well made and has a very nice quality powdercoat covering. The Rugged Ridge Transfer Case Skid covers a larger diameter of the underbody than the factory skid which helps for maximum protection. The fitment of the new Rugged Ridge skid was identical to the factory skid even though the skid covered a larger diameter. I did however run into a small fitment issue on the passenger side due to having an aftermarket gas tank skid. In no way was this a design flaw from Rugged Ridge, just an issue of using two different companies. I had to cut off the 2” bend in the Rugged Ridge Skid to follow the lines of my gas tank skid which took about 2 extra minutes and now fits perfectly. The install time on website says “3 hours” but anyone with an 18mm socket can do this install in under 15 minutes as long as you don’t have to cut or modify a little like I had to do. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this skid for anyone that is looking to add underbody protection or that needs to replace a damaged factory/aftermarket skid.
Install Time
15-30 minutes
Supplied Hardware
Skid Plate
M12 x 35m (4)
M12 x 60mm (1)
M12 Washers (5)
Tools Needed
Eye Protection
Ratchet
18mm Socket
Torque Wrench
Grinder (depending on year of Jeep and your current setup)
Black Spray Paint
Cold Beverage
NOTE:
2012-2014 will have to cut the passenger side part of skid just like I did to fit properly!
Install Guide
Step 1
Remove the 2 bolts with your 18mm socket that secures the OEM transfer case skid to the cross member. Also remove the factory bolt holding on the OEM part of transmission skid.
Step 2
Loosen the frame bolt on driver side and the bolt that goes to the fuel tank guard on passenger side that secures the OEM transfer case skid to frame. (Sorry about the blurry photo)
Step 3
Carefully remove the loosened bolts one at time while holding the OEM skid in place so it doesn’t fall to ground or on top of you.
Step 4
Place the OEM transfer case skid to the side and grab your new Rugged Ridge Heavy Duty Transfer Case Skid Plate and make sure that the fitment is exact without modifying.
The RED LINE is showing where I had to cut to make the fit
Step 5
Once you have checked the fitment or have slightly modified to fit, you can now install the Rugged Ridge Heavy Duty Transfer Case Skid Plate to the cross member, using 18 mm socket, (3) of the supplied M12 x 35mm hex bolts and M12 washers. Leave these bolts loose at this time. Make sure the OEM transmission skid plate tongue is on outside of new skid plate.
Step 6
Install the passenger side part of the Rugged Ridge Heavy Duty Transfer Case Skid Plate to the fuel tank guard using 18mm socket, (1) of the M12 x 35mm hex bolts and M12 washer. Leave this bolt loose at this time.
Step 7
Install the driver side part of the Rugged Ridge Heavy Duty Transfer Case Skid Plate to the driver side frame using the 18mm socket, M12 x 60mm hex bolt and washer.
Step 8
Tighten all 5 bolts then torque to 55ft Lbs. If you don’t have a torque wrench, tighten the 5 bolts down without any excessive force so you don’t cause damage to bolts.
Congratulations!! You’re new Rugged Ridge Heavy Duty Transfer Case Skid is installed and ready to hit the trails
If you have any further questions for Rugged Ridge their Facebook page and website link is below
www.facebook.com/ruggedridge
Jeep Accessories, Bumpers, Lift Kits, Seat Covers, Soft Tops, Wheels, Winches by Rugged Ridge
(Click hi-lited links)
If you have any questions for me, please PM me on forum or by email
Husker.n.az@gmail.com
Thanks for taking the time to read over my write-up!