Warn TJ steering box skid

Code3TJ · Hacker Joined: 01 Jan 2004 Location: Uzbekistan

I bought mine from 4wd.com for around $38 (it's usually a little more but I had a discount.) It attaches at 3 points, using a bolt that mounts the steering gear, one of the lower bolts attaching the bumper and a third hole that you drill into the underside of the bumper. It should take only about 20 minutes to mount, but I ran into trouble and couldn't get the bumper bolt removed. I ended up having to break out the torch and heat up the bolt to remove it (be careful if you end upgoing this route - I'm not responsible for Jeep flambe.)

Front of skid

back of skid

Installed skid

I had some trouble getting the skid to mount flush with the underside of the bumper. I think the bumper has a slight twist in it which was likely the problem. Just remember to torque the steering gear/frame bolt to 70 ft/lbs and the bumper bolt to 77 ft/lbs.
It's constructed of 3/8" steel and has a nice powdercoating with no flaws. It wraps closely around the steering gear. I hope that it'll stand up to anything I happen to bounce off of without deforming. I'm pretty happy with it, it wraps nicely around the gear box and wasn't too expensive.
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Nothing to see here.

quadna71 · Member Joined: 02 Jan 2004 Location: Delaware

i put my warn skid on my jeep - but i had a rokmen front bumper already replacing the factory bumper. there weren't any issues with alignment (that i had heard from other people too) so maybe aftermarket bumper manufacturers just have a more square surface? either way - rock solid (pardon the pun) and is a great product.
chris
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2003 TJ Sport

AggieDog · Member Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Location: Northern California

Code3, I just put a Warn Steering Box skid plate on my 04 TJ. I also have the Warn front bumper. You were right, it pretty much is a simple task. I didnt have any trouble getting my bumper bolt out, so the hardest task was simply drilling the 3/8 inch hole into the tube support bracket that extends between the left and right frames. This looks like a smart investment as I dont like how Jeep has that steering box sitting out there in front just waited to be smacked by something.