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Kilby Steering Skid

Kilby's Steering Box Skid

Part #:

I looked at many different types of skid plates to protect the steering boxes on the TJ's.  Now the 2003's went to a cast steering box, so we didn't have to worry about the aluminum cover or o-rings on the old ones.  I was still concerned with catching it on things and just possibly doing some damage to it.  Spending a little money on piece of mind for that opps matters.  I almost bought a Skid Row when Brad Kilby released his.  Now I have seen his gas tank skids and know the quality involved in them, so I ordered his steering skid.  Having it be a lot cheaper in price than the others factored into the purchase.  When it arrived in the box I was surprised at how heavy it was.  I was now holding 7lbs of steel protection in my hands.  I felt sorry for the rocks.

Additional Parts:
None
Tools Needed:
Drill
5/16" Drill bit
File or Dremel
T-55 Torx
5/8" Socket
9/16" Socket

 

Installation:
kilby side kilby side kilby top
1. First take a look at how your bumper is mounted.  In my case I had an aftermarket bumper so I would need to drill a hole into the front cross-member.  The skid is designed to work with either factory or aftermarket bumpers.  Remove the lower bumper mount bolt with a T-55 torx.
2. You will need to remove the lower front bolt from the steering box.  This requires a 5/8" socket or wrench to get off.
steering box bolts
3. Now place the Kilby's skid up and reinstall the bumper mount bolt, and the steering box bolt.
skid installed
4. Now that you have it firmly bolted in place, you can mark and drill the cross-member support.  I took the skidplate back off, deburred the hole I drilled and touched it up with some paint.  Since I wasn't going anywhere I decided to let it dry and put all the bolts back in then.  

Note: If you have the factory bumper you can drill the additional hole in the bumper.  The skid plate already has a hole provided in the front lip.

skid intalled

 

  N-m Ft. Lbs. In. Lbs.
FRONT BUMPER SCREW 104 77 -
POWER STEERING GEAR GEAR TO FRAME BOLT 95 70 -

This page last updated: 16-Apr-2008

Content and Design © 2002-present WanderingTrail,  Ronald Seegert
Common Sense and Safety should always be observed when working on your vehicle or doing modifications. Jackstands, wheel blocks, disconnecting the battery are a few of the basic safety precautions that should be used and may not be mentioned in the write ups on this site. You are responsible for your own installation, these write ups are a helpful guideline and should not be taken as an official installation instruction. My write up may be different from the kits currently out there, so alwasy double check the manufacturers installation instructions when installing anything. I try to keep the site up to date with changes that have occured as I discover them, but may not have the latest unless someone lets me know. If you feel that an install is above your capabilities after reading my write ups, I recommend getting together with a club and getting some help. Only a few times have I needed to employe some actual help from a shop to get something done. Usually welding or A/C work. While I have spent many years working on mechanical systems, I am not an expert, nor do I pretend to be one. I hope these write ups have been useful to you.
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