Question regarding flat transfer case skid with separate crossmember

mjbcomp · Aug 31, 2023

On my old TJ years ago i had the Teraflex BellyUp Skid Plate but if you wanted to remove the skid plate you had to hold the transmission up and it was a PITA.

Does anyone have or know of a 2 piece flat transfer case skid system where there is a structural cross member that holds the transmission up and then a separate skid plate that is removable for ease of maintenance?

I have seen that Genrite has an aluminum skid that has a cross member but i think that is only for their mid arm suspension kit.

Any other vendors that have this type of setup?

jjvw · Aug 31, 2023

The arm length is irrelevant to what you want. Savvy is the only raised belly skid that has a stand alone crossmember that is integral to the skid plate itself. Anything else out there either does not have a separate crossmember or the crossmember is fully independent of the skid plate.

Steel City 06 · Aug 31, 2023

The Savvy skid does exactly that. You can actually drive around without the skid if you wanted to.

I think the Genright one can be installed without their lift, but not sure it would be worth the extra money.

Depending upon your fabrication skills, a number of people have done their own as well.

UCF I believe is supported by the skid.

jjvw · Aug 31, 2023

Steel City 06 said:
...

I think the Genright one can be installed without their lift, but not sure it would be worth the extra money.

...

Whatever GenRight offers has no requirement to use their lift or any other lift any more than the Savvy Under Armor requires a Savvy lift.

mjbcomp · Aug 31, 2023

On Savvys website i see the UAM-LATE Under Armor Modular Skid which looks like a flat plate. What i don't see is the separate transmission cross member, unless that comes with the kit.

It would be extremely helpful if Savvys would show more photos of what all is included and possibly an installation guide.

I've also heard that Savvys doesn't always have things in stock or they have extreme lead times on things. Any other vendors to consider?

jjvw · Aug 31, 2023

mjbcomp said:
On Savvys website i see the UAM-LATE Under Armor Modular Skid which looks like a flat plate. What i don't see is the separate transmission cross member, unless that comes with the kit.

It would be extremely helpful if Savvys would show more photos of what all is included and possibly an installation guide.

I've also heard that Savvys doesn't always have things in stock or they have extreme lead times on things. Any other vendors to consider?

Savvy is barely functional as a business. But the TJ product line is the best ever offered.

This is the crossmember.

... And this is a thread showing the installation.

Thread 'Savvy Under Armor / Skid Plate Install Write-Up' https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/savvy-under-armor-skid-plate-install-write-up.16379/

And FWiW, neither Savvy nor GenRight are flat plates.

hosejockey61 · Aug 31, 2023

You can always make your own crossmember.

Rickyd · Aug 31, 2023

hosejockey61 said:
You can always make your own crossmember.

So long as the flat skid has its own supports to keep it from buckling thats would be a good solution for a flat belly

mjbcomp · Aug 31, 2023

i don't like the Savvy crossmember design because it wraps along the bottom of the frame rail and then the skid plate bolts on top of it. I like the designs where the crossmember bolts to the inside of the frame rail and the skid can bolt directly to the bottom of the frame.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and ideas. I think i can take it from here.

NskLJ · Aug 31, 2023

mjbcomp said:
On my old TJ years ago i had the Teraflex BellyUp Skid Plate but if you wanted to remove the skid plate you had to hold the transmission up and it was a PITA.

Does anyone have or know of a 2 piece flat transfer case skid system where there is a structural cross member that holds the transmission up and then a separate skid plate that is removable for ease of maintenance?

I have seen that Genrite has an aluminum skid that has a cross member but i think that is only for their mid arm suspension kit.

Any other vendors that have this type of setup?

Here is a support I built to support the trans when I would remove my skid ( nth degree) I have since built a separate crossmember. The hooks go on top of the frame and I would put a 1x4 between the tool and the trans pan. I suggest building this if you decide to build a crossmember. It make nothing in the way while working.

jjvw · Aug 31, 2023

mjbcomp said:
i don't like the Savvy crossmember design because it wraps along the bottom of the frame rail and then the skid plate bolts on top of it. I like the designs where the crossmember bolts to the inside of the frame rail and the skid can bolt directly to the bottom of the frame.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and ideas. I think i can take it from here.

My Savvy crossmember bolts directly to the inboard sides of the frame. A handful of others here did the same.

And all Savvy skids bolt directly to the bottom of the frame, so I am a bit confused by that critique.

Apparition · Aug 31, 2023

mjbcomp said:
i don't like the Savvy crossmember design because it wraps along the bottom of the frame rail and then the skid plate bolts on top of it. I like the designs where the crossmember bolts to the inside of the frame rail and the skid can bolt directly to the bottom of the frame.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and ideas. I think i can take it from here.

There is not a better bolt on option available than Savvy, assuming you can get one.

SvtLdr · Sep 1, 2023

Rickyd said:
So long as the flat skid has its own supports to keep it from buckling thats would be a good solution for a flat belly

Something like this?

SvtLdr · Sep 1, 2023

mjbcomp said:
i don't like the Savvy crossmember design because it wraps along the bottom of the frame rail and then the skid plate bolts on top of it. I like the designs where the crossmember bolts to the inside of the frame rail and the skid can bolt directly to the bottom of the frame.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and ideas. I think i can take it from here.

I designed mine to mount the way you're describing.

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Question regarding flat transfer case skid with separate crossmember

mjbcomp

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jjvw

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Steel City 06

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jjvw

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mjbcomp

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jjvw

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hosejockey61

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Rickyd

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mjbcomp

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NskLJ

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Apparition

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SvtLdr

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