I am 0 for 2 trying to install skid plates

[Blue Ridge]

Very frustrating day. Got some skids in the mail this week and went to install them. Rancho front diff plate has a U bolt that's way too short.

No way that's going on with what was provided in the box.
And the Rusty's rear lower control arm's hole didn't line up well enough to get a bolt through.

I drove it over to the mechanic who works in my shopping center and had him lift the truck up and try, and same results. Figured a guy who works on vehicles for a living would slap them both right on, but he ran into the same thing. Did I just get unlucky twice, or is there a trick to these?

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[kaeo_15]

You need to enlarge the hole on the Rustys, or run it with only 2 bolts. It’s a pretty common issue with the LCA skids.

 

[Jaxmax]

A lot of us got the three bolts in with out enlarging the hole or skipping bolts last bolt in was the large one for me with an impact wrench it went. You are doing fine, we all struggle it seems!

 

[TTU03]

Very frustrating day. Got some skids in the mail this week and went to install them. Rancho front diff plate has a U bolt that's way too short.

No way that's going on with what was provided in the box.
And the Rusty's rear lower control arm's hole didn't line up well enough to get a bolt through.

I drove it over to the mechanic who works in my shopping center and had him lift the truck up and try, and same results. Figured a guy who works on vehicles for a living would slap them both right on, but he ran into the same thing. Did I just get unlucky twice, or is there a trick to these?

I don’t understand what is going on with the rustys. It seems like a 50/50 deal on getting them to fit without having to make adjustments. Seems like these would all be fabricated to the same specs. I just ordered mine so I will find out soon.

 

[brianinca]

I used the LCA bolt and the top bolt, skipped the front bolt as it is irrelevant to function. If your LCA's don't line up, use your wheel chocks to adjust the position of the arms. Easy peasy.

And the Rusty's rear lower control arm's hole didn't line up well enough to get a bolt through.

I drove it over to the mechanic who works in my shopping center and had him lift the truck up and try, and same results. Figured a guy who works on vehicles for a living would slap them both right on, but he ran into the same thing. Did I just get unlucky twice, or is there a trick to these?

 

[DankjeeP]

QC is not something Rusty is famous for.

 

[LzyHkr]

Don't have the Rancho front diff skid. I've installed the Rusty's LCA skids and Rock Hard LCA/shock mount skids. No issues with the Rock Hard skids, but did have to enlarge a hole on the Rusty's skids. Now I'm fighting with the Artec oil pan skid.

 

[mtudb24]

I sure hope this isn't the issue as I was just about to order both front and rear. Here is a rancho video on installing. 1 think to note is the U-bolt in the video looks to be zinc coated and yours look like just standard steel (silver colored)

 

[mtudb24]

I sure hope this isn't the issue as I was just about to order both front and rear. Here is a rancho video on installing. 1 think to note is the U-bolt in the video looks to be zinc coated and yours look like just standard steel (silver colored)

here is another screen shot where it looks like you might have been given the wrong U bolt. Looks anodized.

 

[ThatStinging_Jeep]

Yeah I had the same results,I thought I could trust rustys but they seem to not get their shit straight with both customer service and them not being able to put holes in the right places,the lca skid mounting hole for the control arm bolt was all out of place by like and 1/8th pretty annoying so I just didnt put them on,frames messed up but I'm getting a new gladiator lol

 

[Axeman]

Very frustrating day. Got some skids in the mail this week and went to install them. Rancho front diff plate has a U bolt that's way too short.

No way that's going on with what was provided in the box.
And the Rusty's rear lower control arm's hole didn't line up well enough to get a bolt through.

I drove it over to the mechanic who works in my shopping center and had him lift the truck up and try, and same results. Figured a guy who works on vehicles for a living would slap them both right on, but he ran into the same thing. Did I just get unlucky twice, or is there a trick to these?

Both of these are known issues here on the forum. I had to enlarge one of the holes on my Rusty's CA Skids. That U-bolt is too short on the Rancho front skid, the rear uses a different system. There is a youtube of a guy who bent the tabs up and made the u-bolt reach. I used a 3 1/2 muffler clamp instead because it was wider and longer. If you go that route just be sure to paint the exhaust clamp u-bolt because they are not anodized and will rust quick.

 

[RanchoShocks]

Sorry it was a bugger, when you installed do you have the front very loosely installed by chance?
Matt

Very frustrating day. Got some skids in the mail this week and went to install them. Rancho front diff plate has a U bolt that's way too short.

No way that's going on with what was provided in the box.
And the Rusty's rear lower control arm's hole didn't line up well enough to get a bolt through.

I drove it over to the mechanic who works in my shopping center and had him lift the truck up and try, and same results. Figured a guy who works on vehicles for a living would slap them both right on, but he ran into the same thing. Did I just get unlucky twice, or is there a trick to these?

 

[RanchoShocks]

Hey that's me!!! We did that video shoot on a trail in WY LOL

I sure hope this isn't the issue as I was just about to order both front and rear. Here is a rancho video on installing. 1 think to note is the U-bolt in the video looks to be zinc coated and yours look like just standard steel (silver colored)

 

[Blue Ridge]

Sorry it was a bugger, when you installed do you have the front very loosely installed by chance?
Matt

Yeah, since my thinking was it would allow for more movement and possible adjustment. I couldn't figure a way for both sides of that U bolt to go in for love or money though, nor could my mechanic. But Matt (you?) PMed me that a new U bolt would be coming in the mail shortly so hopefully can get that on soon. Thanks for that!

 

[RanchoShocks]

That was me LOL

Yeah, since my thinking was it would allow for more movement and possible adjustment. I couldn't figure a way for both sides of that U bolt to go in for love or money though, nor could my mechanic. But Matt (you?) PMed me that a new U bolt would be coming in the mail shortly so hopefully can get that on soon. Thanks for that!

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