What I did last weekend (instead of campout)

**TallGreg** · July 28th, 2010, 18:10

Hey all, sorry I missed the campout last weekend. Sounded like fun. Saturday we went down to Lime Rock CT to see the Northeast Grand Prix - American LeMans Series. It was great to see, no jeeps, but LeMans prototypes mixed with GT class Ferraris, Porsches, BMWs, and American iron Corvettes and a Ford GT.

Sunday (and a few more days this week) was spent installing my AEV/Nth Tummy Tucker. Went pretty smoothly, but I also did a Teraflex t-case shifter linkage replacement that slowed me down. I'm still scratching my head on how to connect my existing Skid Row Engine/tranny skid with the new belly skid. The engine skid hangs about an inch lower than the new transfer case skid to clear the auto trans sump. I was thinking about having Queen City steel here in Burlington bend a squared off S shape to link the two, but I would rather have a smooth angled transition than a sharp drop off. Any ideas on the best way to connect the two skids together? I have no welding skills. Comments appreciated. Pics below.

The Before:

And After:

Comparison between the two skids. Junebug the Wonderdog approves.

The stock transmission mount vs the new low profile mount:

There is a dropped area on the new skid that is the lowest point, and comparing that to the old I picked up 2". Everywhere else I gained 3" ground clearance.

Measurements before:

After, the lowest point:

After, the highest point:

All I have left is to set the pinion angle and connect the skid plates. Taking some time off tonight to spend time with the missus.

JG · July 28th, 2010, 19:02

Looks great Greg. My suggestion would be to sell the Tera skid plate and buy the AEV tranny skid that is made to go with it. I'm sure somebody on here would snatch it up and then you would have a matching set up.

**TallGreg** · July 28th, 2010, 20:00

I like the oil pan/trans skid I have now for the smooth surface to slide on. To get the same coverage from AEV/Nth I'd have to buy the oil pan and trans skids separately for about $400 total. They say "boat" stands for Break Out Another Thousand. What does Jeep stand for?

**alteredxj** · July 28th, 2010, 20:15

Greg if you have any free time I am willing to look at it and see if we can come up with something

**802coma** · July 28th, 2010, 22:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by TallGreg

I like the oil pan/trans skid I have now for the smooth surface to slide on. To get the same coverage from AEV/Nth I'd have to buy the oil pan and trans skids separately for about $400 total. They say "boat" stands for Break Out Another Thousand. What does Jeep stand for?

Just Empty Every Pocket

Sorry, had to. Looks great...why dont they just do that from the factory. Seems like the stock skid hung so low.

norwich19934 · July 29th, 2010, 11:14

Quote:

Just Empty Every Pocket

Sorry, had to. Looks great...why dont they just do that from the factory. Seems like the stock skid hung so low.

just like most production cars and trucks, jeeps are built under a budget to keep costs down and profits up, but the reason jeeps are so popular is the huge aftermarket following, plus jeeps are just awsome, haha

the tummy tuck looks great, maybe a long arm lift is next huh

**michaelhecht** · July 30th, 2010, 11:50

When I got my belly up pans, both of them from Teraflex, they also sent me a transfer case lowering kit... I always wondered who in their right mind would spend the money to gain a few extra inches only to lower it again.. Maybe it was in there for the Auto's.. That would be a quick solution (if they didn't send you one, I have more). Otherwise.. does it look possible that the transmission skid could be heated and bent up to make a nicer angle?

**TallGreg** · July 30th, 2010, 15:24

Problem solved. I had the day off & went by Damien's. He had some steel and a press and did a nice S shaped bend to transition between the two. Paint is drying as I type. Will post a pic or two more when I put it on.

**alteredxj** · July 31st, 2010, 06:11

Hey Greg I have your Coffee cup I will try to get it back to you next time I see you

**TallGreg** · July 31st, 2010, 13:57

Thanks Damien, I remembered the cup after I got home. Couple more photos below to finish things up. It turned out pretty nice I think, thanks to Damien for the help. We got the engine/trans skid about as tight to the pan as I'd want it to be. There is room for the drivetrain to move, and for the skidplate to move if I give it a good whack, but I couldn't get my pinkie in the gap. Although the trans skid hangs lower than the tummy tucker, overall clearance under the trans skid improved by almost 2".

**timberwolf0122** · August 2nd, 2010, 14:59

Looks good, I'd be tempted to weld a vertical strip of metal between the TC skid and the bottom of the S-plate for extra strength.