74 CJ5 Skid and High Lift fabrication
Not sure why the simplest looking things always take the most effort to build (guess that is the fun of it). I have been trying to figure out a way to carry my high lift jack for over a year. I really liked the vertical rear mount set up. However, I could not get this to work on my Spare Tire carrier I built. Therefore I ended up mounting the High lift just above the spare-horizontally. It worked fine until you wanted to swing the tire open to get to the rear area-and I just did not like it. Three attempts to move it failed....too flimsy, hit the rear lights....etc. Finally I used heavy angle for the jack to sit on, used a piece of 1/8" wall square tubing to hold the jack upright. Then welded short pieces of 1" square tubing that would fit in the middle of the jack-helps to hold it. Couple of 1/2" bolts, one 1/2" wing nut (and a home made wingnut consisting of a washer welded to a 1/2" nut)-and it worked. I did have to relocate the taillights (PO had them mounted low on the tub-I hated that).
Next order of business was the Transmission /Transfer Case skid. I wanted exhaust that went out the back of the jeep. Left side no problem, tucked over the cross member. Right side no room so it hugs the cross member but does goes under it. I KNOW it is only a matter of time until I squash the right side. What you are seeing is the skid plate upside down-showing the plate that will wrap around the right exhaust pipe. (Hard to see when it is on the Jeep). Plate is healthy-3/16" thick. Should get it installed this week and post more pics...
Next order of business was the Transmission /Transfer Case skid. I wanted exhaust that went out the back of the jeep. Left side no problem, tucked over the cross member. Right side no room so it hugs the cross member but does goes under it. I KNOW it is only a matter of time until I squash the right side. What you are seeing is the skid plate upside down-showing the plate that will wrap around the right exhaust pipe. (Hard to see when it is on the Jeep). Plate is healthy-3/16" thick. Should get it installed this week and post more pics...
