This isn’t mine but one that the photos were sent to me. It will work if you drill holes through the top of the bed rail or do like this one and weld on tabs to allow it to be mounted to the trail rails.
The Motobilt bobbed bed tire carrier mounted to the stock bed. You can drill holes through the top bed rail to mount it or weld on brackets to attach to the stock trail rails.
Something else to consider is the torque multiplication factor with portals doesn’t go into affect until the very end. I.e. If you went from a theoretical 2.0 transfer case gear to a 4.0 reduction then everything after the transfer case now has to withstand twice the torque. The same applies...
You do not have to drop the skid plate to touch up. Simply clean and scuff the area and paint from under neath. Maybe 10-20 minutes worth of work. I use Steel-It on my skids rockers, fenders etc and they look brand new again after wards.
I agree.
I don’t recommend a drain plug in the diff cover because if you hit it on a rock it can cause a leak. Changing your fluid is also a good time to take the cover off and inspect the inside of your differential as well.
No bolts protruding on the Motobilt kit. Also you’re going to have to paint any steel skid once you use it as it’s going to get slid across rocks and other obstacles.
Just my opinion