Exhaust pipe clearance issue on transfer case skid plate?

Grug556 · 2022-11-28T16:39:29+00:00

Hey guys ive got the RCI skid plates, full set. Anyhow I have read on the transfer case plate that you can have contact with exhaust pipe near where it S bends behind the transfer case area. This pipe is very close to coming in contact with the skid plate, even when plate is pushed down as far is it will go (which also makes another problem listed below), I read a few people online wrapped the pipe in exhaust pipe wrap. I did the same. Now the pipe lightly touches skid plate due to thickness of heat wrap. What do you think? Plates are aluminum and coated. you see any issues with mild contact of pipe and plate if the pipe is wrapped? Lastly the transfer case support cross bar, that secures the plate to, even in its farthest down location leaves the end side of the plate with outside gaps of roughly 1/4 inch. To clarify I am talking the end pieces of this transfer case brace. Each side is held into the frame with 1 M8 bolt. Its slotted so you raise and lower the bar. The lowest position offers the maximum amount of clearance for the exhaust pipe over the transfer case skid plate as listed above. Anyhow when its depressed like this, the end side pieces have a 90 degree wrap around the bottom of them which goes out around the bottom on the frame rail by about 1 inch on each side. Its between this piece under the frame rail where there is now roughly a 1/4 inch gap on each side. I was wondering, should I try and fill this gap with some bar stock or similar? Reason being if the crossbar took a hard hit, it would like move upwards on the M8 slots. I thought it I put in spacers underneath it would eliminate any possible upward push of the bar? Any ideas on this? Choice was mild steel flat bar or possibly aluminum flat bar. I was planning on drilling a hole on each side and securing bottom section of crossbar with spacer and then drilling and tapping and securing whole piece to the frame with a M10 or 8. What do you guys think ? Anybody else have fitment issues with RCI skids? Their designs now in place seem abit weak. Thanks for any help

Thread starter Grug556
Start date Nov 28, 2022

Grug556

New member

Dec 1, 2022

mrblah said:
so how did the drunkin wrenching go....ROFL:whip2:

Talked to RCI today, they said theres something off on my frame. They are sending me a second set of U shaped shims to further space transfer plate down another 1/4 inch plus, they also recommended doing the hose clamp on the hanger and compress it to lift the pipe.

Really appreciate you guys giving me help on this! thanks!:becky: