Well, I've been working on my exhaust and skid plate issues for a couple weeks. I bought some exhaust spacers that push the exhaust cross over pipe down and back a little bit to give the front drive shaft more room to droop down. I also bought some skid plates to protect the transmission and exhaust loop.

Things didn't exactly go as planned. The spacers wouldn't seal up and the holes for the skid plate wouldn't line up. It took a couple emails to Teraflex to convince them to replace the original set. And according to EVO, myself and one other person are the only ones that have reported skid plate holes that don't line up with the jeep holes.

All of the holes except for two lined up just fine. One hole only needed minor grinding. This one pretty much had to double in size.


But it doesn't end there. After getting the skid on, whenever the engine torqued and sometimes even when idling, the exhaust pipe would rattle against the skid. I got tired of listening to it so I pulled the skid off for the time being. I was also a little worried that the constant hitting against the skid would possibly cause damage up where the exhaust ties into the engine.

You can see how close the pipe is to the skid in this pic. The clean dark spot under the pipe is where it has been making contact.

 

Sorry to hear about your issues - I know all too well how stuff like this can drain the fun factor out of driving your Jeep. Hang in there - you'll get it all worked out eventually.

 

Other than the aftermarket parts giving you problems Dennis, How do you like the new Jeep? Is the engine a big improvement?

 

Ticking didn't sound like a bomb did it?

 

JK-Rubi, did I see you on Meighan Blvd. tonight (12/17) in Attalla about 7pm?

 

Yes - I was wondering if that might be you (I pulled into the MickyDs past I59 almost immediately after I spotted your vehicle which is so similar to others that when you didn't follow, figured it was someone else from E).

I spent last night, and most of today out at Mountainside wheeling with guys from GA, B'ham, Gadsden, Tuscaloosa, and Hsv area. Awesome trip. There's still a group out there that will be wheeling more tomorrow morning (we rented the park for the weekend), and then heading home. Will post a few pics later. Good times.

 

JK-Rubi, I thought I saw you slow down, but I didn't want to spook you if it was not you. I could see that complaint now..... You should have wheeled on in the gas station and chatted a bit. I was filling up before I went to the office. The weekends are very busy paper pushing times for me. lol. I wonder how my company vehicle would handle Mountainside. lol. Have fun tomorrow and I can't wait to see the pic's.

 

I don't know about that, your JK was awfully clean looking............ You sure you were not coming from the mall?

 

I was going to respond with some snarky comment, but when I went out this morning to finish unpacking, I noticed Wilbur was pretty clean looking considering some of the more muddy trails that were at the park. Even though it had rained it really wasn't too bad as most of the trails were like they would be if only a slight sprinkle had hit them - just enough to keep any dust down, but not so much that everything was soupy.

Here's a shot of us at the start of the ride yesterday morning. A couple more folks showed up later in the day as others left.

 

The staging area looks almost dry in the pictures. With all the rain we have had lately that is suprising. Maybe the cold snap "freeze dried" everything.