H3 skid plate specifics

[Scarsman]

Ok, can you all please help me make sure I understand them fully, and confirm or deny the following, or add anything I'm missing.

The OEM front tin plate, mid tubing guard, and rear tubing are the same for all years?

The front aluminum plate changed in '08?

If so, what changed? Just the style but mounts the same, or something more changed?

Which OEM plate/plates does/do not work with the Rancho lift?

Does the Rancho lift come with a skid to solve this?

If so, do people not like the skid? Or why is there demand for a Rancho compatible skid?


Thanks for your help guys!

 

[alrock]

Front aluminum plate changed shape and front mounting points in 08 to accommodate revised front bumper with new crash bar.

Mid ribbed plate only had minor changes, putting in vent holes for diff at some point. Same for all H3s and Ts.

Rear two UCP options were same for all years.

 

[Panzer07]

The rancho kit does come with a skid plate

that replaces the oem one...the one that protects the front differential.

The reason why the oem skid plates don't work with the rancho lift kit is due to the bracket that comes with the kit. Which basically bolts on and replaces the oem front differential bracket/bushing.

Now this oem UCP

only the one that protects the transmissions is the one that don't work with the rancho lift kit...due to, that it is a bit too short to bolt on to the rancho crossmember bushing that replaced the oem



Torres

 

[rsc]

At some point, the ribbed, tin plate changed mounting holes slightly with the cross member changes.

 

[Scarsman]

Ok, so the the plates I made based on H3slate's '06 will fit all H3s and H3Ts then?

And if I make a skid to replace the aluminum one, I would need to make 4 versions of it:

Pre '08 stock height, post '08 stock height

Pre '08 Rancho, post '08 Rancho

Does that sound right?

Also, are there 4"and 6" Rancho lifts? Seems like that would make difference as well if there are.

 

[Panzer07]

This is the part where you can see how the rancho bracket/bushing for the front differential is lower...as well it adds the crossmember support bars ( note that in the left side you can see the crossmember mounted under, but they actually go on top so they don't hang as low, in this particular pic the rancho guys installed mine wrong but they fix it when they realize I was wrong)

As you can see there's no much difference, nor should it be a big change in order to make your skid plates work with the rancho kit. Since for what I can tell it would only need to be longer. And perhaps use the rancho already drill holes in their crossmember where their skid plate mounts.
I hope I'm making sense here or at least give you a rough idea of what is going on with the rancho trucks.


Torres

 

[Panzer07]

Ok, so the the plates I made based on H3slate's '06 will fit all H3s and H3Ts then?

And if I make a skid to replace the aluminum one, I would need to make 4 versions of it:

Pre '08 stock height, post '08 stock height

Pre '08 Rancho, post '08 Rancho

Does that sound right?

Also, are there 4"and 6" Rancho lifts? Seems like that would make difference as well if there are.

Nah you should be able to get away replacing the aluminum plate with only one since as far I understand. They all have the same mounting points...the only difference is that the 08 aluminum plates are smaller (wide wise) and don't have the H3 logo. Which in turn require no cutting as the 06-07 skid plates do when one installs the rancho lift kit. That's it.
So in reality you only need to modify the skid plate that protects the transmission pan/section.

Torres

 

[Scarsman]

Ok, I think I'm starting to understand!

 

[digglesworth]

This is the oem "modified" version for the Rancho. It was on Genos "big red" truck cj built. It's got a new plate welded to the front that adds length and is also angled for the slope of the difference in crossmember heights.

 

[Scarsman]

Thanks! That should be easy enough then.

 

[alrock]

rsc brought up a good point - the crossmember changed slightly and they moved a mounting point about 1/2", +/-. I think the new ribbed plate allows for either mounting point.