looking for input on this. I hate the stock transfer case skid and want to replace it with something flat. Not flush with frame rails, but flat. strong is good too.

Right now my plan is to use:
3" x 4" angle, 1/4" thick for sides
1/8 or 3/16 plate for bottom piece
1" x 1" x .120 wall square tube for reinforcements
the plate in the middle is 1/8", to keep tranny mount bolts up and away from rocks.

I'd like to go with 1/8", to keep weight and cost down. do you think 1/8" will be strong enough? Do I need more supporting 1x1 tube?

http://www.mouthbreather.com/images/xmember1.jpg

http://www.mouthbreather.com/images/xmember2.jpg

http://www.mouthbreather.com/images/xmember3.jpg

http://www.mouthbreather.com/images/xmember4.jpg

I'd go w/ the 3/16"...

i think you would be fine with 1/8 plate if you added a couple more supports, i would throw two more diaganal supports in that make your two large open square areas into triangles, or even just parralel with your other supports. ive seen guys run 1/8 plate and even thinner land on rocks and it would be just fine. just my .02
-Kyle

My buddy just made one 3/16 steel front and back taper to the center sides are bolted to the inside of the frame rail flush with the bottom of the frame rail. He plans to just have a cut out for the front drive shaft . It's about 3 feet long front to back . Starts about 4 inches behind the front of the bell housing and ends 2 inches after the t-case. sides 45 to meet the main plate.

just a thought...

make the cross member seperate from the skid.

I did this on mine...makes it nice to be able to drop the skid and everything still remain in place.

^^ this is what im doin also seems like it will be a bit easier

Front drive shaft clearance?
Might need a notch for shaft clearance at full droop.

Originally posted by JOKKERAL
Front drive shaft clearance?
Might need a notch for shaft clearance at full droop.

you could be right. The plate is about the same dimensions as the stock one, but since it's going to be about 2" higher it may have issues. I picked up the steel this morning, decided to go with 3/16". I'm going to start building it this weekend and hopefully finish it by next weekend. I'll let you know the final result.

Go here for to get ideas. This skid has the same ideas you are talking about. It would be nice to be able to replace a driveshaft on the trail without having to jack up your tranny to remove the whole skid/x-member.



http://www.rockcrawler.com/techreports/33engineering_tcase_skid/index.asp

Good choice the stock one gets so bent up you can't put it back on without a lot of hammering and prying:(