I've got a T-case lowering kit on '05 Unlimited automatic. With the 4 inch lift(no long/short arms) and 33's, the front drive shaft was rubbing.  We did an impromptu "extra" spacer, just on that side, to keep it from doing further damage. I've checked around for new skid plates, but it looks like I'd have to get a SYE, a motor mount lift, new upper/ lower adjustable arms (Front and Back) and new drive shafts.

Does this sound correct? That adds up to quite a bit of coin. Does any one know of a pan that will not need such drastic measures and funding?

One guy said to cut the front drive shaft hoop (the part where it was rubbing) off. But I have reservations on removing a supporting member of the skid plate.

Any takers???  

I have trimmed the skid plate minimally without any adverse effects. One thing to check is how much rubbing is going on at full droop.  

Well there's no new "stripes" being "polished" in the shaft now (with the spacer). We just got off the Rubicon and I'm positive we experienced full droop a few times. The old stripe was less than a half inch wide.  

Did you paint back over the stripe? If so I wouldn't be to concerned with it. If you still dont have a warm and fuzzy jack up the jeep and put jack stands under a good front off road bumper or frame rails and visually inspect for rubbing. I have cut half the diameter of the drive shaft into a skid plate before with out issue. For good measure you could reinforce the skid plate with flat stock steel.  

I follow you... the only part that rubbed is the hoop that drops in front of the front axle drive shaft. It's about 4 inches wide and actually curves up where it contacted. I could sawzall a notch out of that. But at what point,  or depth, does it weaken it to defeat it's purpose?

Thanks, I will take a better look at it tomorrow, and paint over the stripe.  

Ill take a look at mine tommorrow as well and see what exactly we are looking at. Id rather be sure than to misinform you. But if I remember its like a lipped edge. But wait a day before you cut. Unless There is anyone with a solid awnser out there.  

I cut mine completely off... it doensn't hurt a thing,
it got run like that a long time till I mated it to the pan skid. I also hacked out a section for the nth stinger, it now has a 3/8x3" flat bar across the bottom, after 3 years of pounding it finally ripped out the thin skid.


 

Here is the skidrow tranny/engine skid ($275). Maybe an idea for wacking and bracing, or buying.

 

Mine was removed long enough ago that I could not for the life of me figure out what he mean't. Thanks for the clarification.