Mark, you know ground clearance is determined by measuring from the ground to the lowest point beneath the vehicle, commonly the differentials or, in some cases, lower shock mounts.

My evap skid resides far above those potential contact points.

If you're touching down on an evap skid, you got bigger problems on your hands than a little scraped powder coat.

 

I just read your thread, sorry to hear that hardware supplied can't hold up to the product. I think companies just throw in the closest thing they can find for hardware without fully testing them.

How does the Benchmark double as a DS skid? And will I have to wait months for Benchmark to ship it? lol

 

It's infuriating.

Here you go sir.

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/showthread.php?89975

 

I went poison spyder because you gain 3/4" ground clearance versus stock with their skid. Haven't touched it yet after all my rock crawlin with it

 

The bolt size determines the torque. And the lube locker directions are way to strong of torque for that size bolt.

The riddlers and lube lockers work great and we have a package deal on them.

http://www.northridge4x4.com/proddet...PKG-RIDDLER-LL

 

Point taken, and I'll clarify that overall vehicle ground clearance is not what I was referring to. However, there have been at least a few cases where the evaporative canister took a destructive hit, and there was no further damage to the rest of the vehicle mentioned. So, why give up 1/2" in that spot, when you can relocate and be done with the potential problem?

 

I put on the budget priced Solid covers with lube lockers (I also hate scraping RTV) after resealing the stock front dif. cover twice. The Solid cover works great, all I do is clean off left over stone dust at the end of the day, they seem really tough.

Word of warning!! I had to retorque several of the cover bolts. They seem to be backing out over time. I don't know if this is just Solids or applies to all after market covers.

 

@ Mark <virtual handshake>

Rub61, fresh lock washers will cure what ails you - or a dab of blue Loctite.

 

Strictly an opinion..

1. Lube Locker - it's cleaner, but it can be somewhat of a pain to install; tends to slide off while you're trying to get the bolts lined up.
2. I went with Teraflex Diff. Covers 'coz they had an awesome sale on them at the time; but both ARB or Riddlers are just as good. Riddlers would be a lil cheaper I think.
3. In my case, just to not have to worry about warranty hassles, I went the route of a Poison Spyder Evap Skid. Many DIY relocation threads available as well.

 

I have the Riddlers and like for all the reasons expressed on this thread and that they are cheaper than the ARB


The other posters are right the grade hardware with the Riddlers is not great. I went out and got some grade 8 bolts for the install.

I also went with lube lockers because I am lazy and they seemed easier than RTV. This also made it an easy decision to go with grade 8 bolts because the torque is higher than using RTV. Even then I went about 4 lbs under the recommended torque and all is well.

I have the benchmark designs skid and it is solid and easy to install. Since it is what I know I recommend it too.