Installing Stock Rubicon Skid Plate on Sport

[Jeeperjamie]

Got all the bolts and two of the brackets from morris 4x4. The two upper brackets (red boxed ones from page one of thread) came with another skid i got a while back. Kinda worked out.

The links on page one should be pretty much all you need

I appreciate it. I got the top two brackets and bolts, just got to get the bottom ones. Looks good

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[Gren71]

I appreciate it. I got the top two brackets and bolts, just got to get the bottom ones. Looks good

Ty. I just looked em up on mopar parts store. So they are available which is nice.

 

[FLUndertaker]

What a PITA! I finally think I have everything I need ordered to install a non steel bumper Rubi steel skid on my Sport S.

Skid
4 brackets
8 nutserts
8 bolts w cone
4 skid bolts

All it took was an eBay take off skid, a Quadratec order and a BAM order. I think I’m into it about $200 total. Quadratec doesn’t have the forward brackets. They had the lower brackets that mount on the bottom for each side and all the hardware but I had to get the 2 brackets that go on the forward facing part of the frame mount from BAM.

I hope I have everything. This has turned into more of a headache and cost than I expected. Stay tuned!

 

[Gren71]

What a PITA! I finally think I have everything I need ordered to install a non steel bumper Rubi steel skid on my Sport S.

Skid
4 brackets
8 nutserts
8 bolts w cone
4 skid bolts

All it took was an eBay take off skid, a Quadratec order and a BAM order. I think I’m into it about $200 total. Quadratec doesn’t have the forward brackets. They had the lower brackets that mount on the bottom for each side and all the hardware but I had to get the 2 brackets that go on the forward facing part of the frame mount from BAM.

I hope I have everything. This has turned into more of a headache and cost than I expected. Stay tuned!

I actually just took mine completely off...i lost 1.5mpg just from the jacked up aero dynamics of the skid not connecting to the bumper. I went back to the plastic airdam and got my mpg back

 

[FLUndertaker]

I actually just took mine completely off...i lost 1.5mpg just from the jacked up aero dynamics of the skid not connecting to the bumper. I went back to the plastic airdam and got my mpg back

Interesting. Thankfully, MPG isn’t something I even bother to track. For me it’s a weekend toy and smiles per gallon is off the chart!

 

[FLUndertaker]

How do you go about installing these rivnuts? Do I need a special tool or can I Mcgyver together something that’ll work?

 

[JRobes]

How do you go about installing these rivnuts? Do I need a special tool or can I Mcgyver together something that’ll work?

Just slide them in the hexagonal cutout in the frame, and then tighten a bolt into it; the bolt tightening into it will cause the nutsert to compress. I just did it with an impact and it was done in seconds

 

[kevman65]

In this picture you will see everything you need EXCEPT the nutserts.

Brackets are bolted in position they go and the direction they go.
The bolts to attach the brackets to the frame horns are in the zip lock bag.

To install the nutserts, you need one long bolt (same size as the bracket bolts but longer)
nut the next size bigger, wrench to fit nut and ratchet/socket to fit bolt head. Insert nutsert into hole, put nut on bolt, thread bolt into nutsert. Hold nut with wrench and tighten bolt with ratchet. You are collapsing the nutsert to make a tight fit in an existing hole.

Yes, impact is faster, but not everyone has one.

 

[FLUndertaker]

In this picture you will see everything you need EXCEPT the nutserts.

Brackets are bolted in position they go and the direction they go.
The bolts to attach the brackets to the frame horns are in the zip lock bag.

To install the nutserts, you need one long bolt (same size as the bracket bolts but longer)
nut the next size bigger, wrench to fit nut and ratchet/socket to fit bolt head. Insert nutsert into hole, put nut on bolt, thread bolt into nutsert. Hold nut with wrench and tighten bolt with ratchet. You are collapsing the nutsert to make a tight fit in an existing hole.

Yes, impact is faster, but not everyone has one.

Great pic thanks.
with the factory hexagonal nutserts I wouldn’t think the multiple nuts would be required since the nutsert cannot rotate in the hexagonal hole in the frame. If I just threat a longer bolt into it won’t it collapse as I tighten?

 

[kevman65]

Great pic thanks.
with the factory hexagonal nutserts I wouldn’t think the multiple nuts would be required since the nutsert cannot rotate in the hexagonal hole in the frame. If I just threat a longer bolt into it won’t it collapse as I tighten?

Spreads the force out a little more evenly, plus it helps steady up everything until the nutsert starts to expand.

 

[jmdusza01]

Di

This is EXACTLY what I want to do with my Overland - a Rubicon skid plate without the steel bumper.
I need to find a skid plate and order the brackets. Want to replace the plastic air dam with a skid plate. Talked to a dealer parts guy and he didn't really know (I am not so sure they've even sold or worked on any JTs at this point) but he "guessed " it should work fine.

d you ever finish project

 

[FLUndertaker]

Ok, in this pic which holes do I install a nutserts into for the bracket to bolt to? This pic is the passenger side and looking towards the middle of the Jeep.

 

[JRobes]

Ok, in this pic which holes do I install a nutserts into for the bracket to bolt to? This pic is the passenger side and looking towards the middle of the Jeep.

Look at post 63 and others in this thread. Install instructions attached as well

 

[FLUndertaker]

Thanks all, finally got it installed. Once you have all the pieces it’s pretty self evident how it goes but all the pics help.
4 nutserts needed for each frame horn ( 2 on each side of each horn). Easy to install with a 3/8” ratchet and 16mm socket with slow and steady inward pressure to make sure the nutsert is in fully and flat against the frame horn.
8 bolts total. 2 bolts in each bracket on each Frame horn.
4 bolts thru the skid, 2 on each side, one into each bracket.

 

[aegiscpo]

I may have missed it somewhere, but does anyone happen to have the part number for the actual skid plate itself? I am looking for just the skid plate, I have the brackets, nutserts and bolts, just missing the actual skid plate for the non-steel bumper. Thanks.

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