Help fixing factory skid plate.

I've had mine off and on many times over the years. Well finally it just crapped out. A captive nut for the bolt that holds the rear skid had busted off. It's a square nut that looks to have been tacked on all four corners. The center two where the front skid mates with the rear skid are stripped out and I've had to replace the front most three with 1/4" bolts and lock washers that pass through the captive nuts. There's no room to pass a bolt through the middle holes where the two mate up. And no room to access the top of the mounting bracket to hold a nut with a wrench.

So as it sits now, I just have the front skid on, held on as stated above. It's on there good but there's no support for the rear of it. My concern is I'm headed to Moab in 4 weeks and while the factory skids are really not all that great they are better than having my transfer case exposed. I need the front one on to protect the bottom of the radiator.

Anyone have ideas on how best to reattach the rear skid? Or will it not be an issue?

I'm looking at replacing my front bumper eventually. It looks as if most bumpers require the factory front skid to protect the radiator. The Relentless bumper seems to have a section that comes down and shields it. It's hard to tell from the pictures, but I also like their skid plates for the t case. Anyone know how they are a fixed to the truck under there?

 

Watching. My bolts are RUSTED. So I'm considering cutting and replacing. Answers will be dually helpful

 

I had the same thing happen and just tacked the nut back in place. You can probably find someone to do it for you for a beer or two.

 

I'm sure this is a common problem TooMuch. I think that aftermarket will be the way to go but if it requires the factory mounts then I'm hosed. I'm brainstorming a bit on my own, and I'm thinking that a threaded insert may be doable as long as they don't stick too far down after installation.

Like these...

http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-rivet-nuts/=148oy2v

 

Yeah I thought about that too but most of the bolt holes have issues and access to the top where the nuts are welded is very tight. It would require cutting out the bracket and rewelding it back in place. That could be a bit more than a few beers. I think the inserts could work for all of them. I need to get out when its cooler and just stare at it for a bit. Then there is the question about the aftermarket skids. That will be a long ways out though...

 

I forget exactly what the captive nut that holds the back of the rear plate on is attached to, but is it something that's meaty enough that you could drill a hole (or use the existing one) and tap it, to get "just enough" bite to hold the plate on for your trip?

Even most aftermarket skids use the factory mounting holes - so you'll probably want to get that captive nut welded back on there.

For the front bumper - I have a Relentless and while it almost protects the radiator (I have a manual), there's an inch or two that still needs protection. You can use either the factory skid or Relentless skid to provide that protection.

 

Thanks for the info on the bumper. I really like the style.

I may try the threaded inserts on the back holes and maybe try chasing the threads with a tap on the middle holes. Then reasses when a new bumper is in the pipeline...