Skid plate front drive line clearance

[rholbrook]

On my 2004 LJ I have an automatic transmission. Underneath I have your normal transfer case skid plate as well as a skid plate under my auto transmission. The clearance between my tranmission skid plate and my front drive line is literally 3/8 of an inch. I have a 4" lift on it. Is this clearance normal? Should I add a spacer to it or is there an aftermarket skid plate giving me more clearance?

 

[RockMonkey]

On my 2004 LJ I have an automatic transmission. Underneath I have your normal transfer case skid plate as well as a skid plate under my auto transmission. The clearance between my tranmission skid plate and my front drive line is literally 3/8 of an inch. I have a 4" lift on it. Is this clearance normal? Should I add a spacer to it or is there an aftermarket skid plate giving me more clearance?

If it doesn't hit, that's enough clearance.

 

[thenag]

On my 2004 LJ I have an automatic transmission. Underneath I have your normal transfer case skid plate as well as a skid plate under my auto transmission. The clearance between my tranmission skid plate and my front drive line is literally 3/8 of an inch. I have a 4" lift on it. Is this clearance normal? Should I add a spacer to it or is there an aftermarket skid plate giving me more clearance?

3/8 at full droop or at ride height?

at full droop that is fine, if that is at ride height you might have some issues. There are other ways to make clearance rather than lowering your skid plate and/or cross member. If it is close you can probably just trim the skid plate back, if you have to trim the cross member you probably want to reenforce it to replace the strength that was lost so the tranny stays put. Also if it is a straight shaft you can put the slip yoke at the t-case instead of the front diff, that will give you an extra little bit on some vehicles. (if you have a cv up front that won't work though)

if it isn't close you can build a drive shaft tunnel. (do a google image search if you are not familiar)

nathan
99 xj

 

[DaveB]

My brothers LJ with an auto and 4.5 inch lift would rub the driveline at full droop so we modified it by notching and reinforcing where it was rubbing.

 

[rholbrook]

3/8 at full droop or at ride height?

at full droop that is fine, if that is at ride height you might have some issues. There are other ways to make clearance rather than lowering your skid plate and/or cross member. If it is close you can probably just trim the skid plate back, if you have to trim the cross member you probably want to reenforce it to replace the strength that was lost so the tranny stays put. Also if it is a straight shaft you can put the slip yoke at the t-case instead of the front diff, that will give you an extra little bit on some vehicles. (if you have a cv up front that won't work though)

if it isn't close you can build a drive shaft tunnel. (do a google image search if you are not familiar)

nathan
99 xj

Ride Height unfortunately

 

[gertsch]

Just notch out your skid plate.