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View Full Version : Kilby Skid Installed


lonegpr
04-05-2001, 07:22 PM
Got it installed today. Only took me about two and a half hours working by myself after work.

I deviated some from the instructions, opting not to disconnect the fuel tank. I simply used a couple of tie down straps snaked around between the stock skid and the fuel cell to support the tank when I pulled the factory skid off.

Getting the Kilby up was tough though. Thing is heavy. But I managed to work it upward using several blocks of 2x4 pieces of wood to support it before using my floor jack to lift it all the way up and into the final position.

Getting the mounting studs through the provided holes wasn't easy, tried not to booger up the threads. The single support on the passenger side presented the only problem.

As I tightened the nut, the mounting stud twisted in it's location, effectively rounding out the hole (it has a square shank holding it in place much like a carriage bolt). Unfortunetly, nothing I tried would keep the stud from spinning. :(

So, tomorrow I plan on running to the hardware store and look for the largest self tapping screw I can get to screw into the hole (I pushed the stud up into the crossframe member) to attach this part of the skid to the crossmember.

Other than that, it is a cool install. I can definitely see that there is more room beneath the skid over the factory unit. At least an inch more. I like the cool Kibly cutout on back of the skid. I only had to do a bit of touching up with the spray paint to make it look perfect (for the moment) :D

Mr. Bill
04-05-2001, 08:53 PM
We want pics!

We want pics!

Good luck fixing that bolt.

lonegpr
04-05-2001, 09:00 PM
I'd like to have pics. But I didn't stop to take any. Besides, since I don't have a digital camera, it would be a few months (maybe years) before I could get the film in the camera used up, then developed, then posted. :D

The Man with the Plan
04-05-2001, 09:21 PM
With any luck I'll have mine on in a week or so. If I remember, I'll snap some digi-pics for you guys. Mine just arrived today. I already picked up two cans of black hammerite. Now I just have to make some time to install it!

Colo.TJ
04-06-2001, 06:34 AM
With any luck I'll have mine on in a week or so. If I remember, I'll snap some digi-pics for you guys. Mine just arrived today. I already picked up two cans of black hammerite. Now I just have to make some time to install it!
Did you sell your Tomken?

The Man with the Plan
04-06-2001, 08:14 AM
Not yet.

Steelheader
04-06-2001, 09:57 AM
You guys are gonna be highly impressed the first time you go out and abuse it. :D I would have paid double for the skid if I knew how tough it was before I bought it. ;) I abused the hell out of it on the last club run and only scratched the paint that took me all week to put on it. :) I believe that in the long run, this will be one ofthe best investments I've made on my TJ. :)

dh-king
04-06-2001, 12:16 PM
Nice war story, I bet you had a decent workout.

Mine is still sitting in the garage, maybe we'll install it this weekend since it's raining here. I told my wife, jeep chick wannabe, that her initiation into the jeep world is to assist me in the install. She gladly said ok! That reminds me, I'll have to go drive the dang gas out of it this afternoon.

Tony

lonegpr
04-06-2001, 11:50 PM
Nice war story, I bet you had a decent workout.

Mine is still sitting in the garage, maybe we'll install it this weekend since it's raining here. I told my wife, jeep chick wannabe, that her initiation into the jeep world is to assist me in the install. She gladly said ok! That reminds me, I'll have to go drive the dang gas out of it this afternoon.

Tony


Yeah, that was the key to making the switch easier. I was running on fumes and was pretty much able to lift the empty tank with my hands to slip the tie down straps between the stock skid and the fuel cell itself.