Factory skid plate?

[Hondo]

This look familiar? Front bollts to a special bar/tube that bolts between the frame rails with flat u-bolts on either side. Rear bolts to transmision crossmember, and looks like it has holes for multiple engine/transmission options. Big hole is engine oil pan drain access, little hole is transfer case drain access. The IH retail order form that was in the glove box has "skid plate detached" in the options area. Changed the oil in the tranny and transfer case last weekend and cleaned about 20 pounds of accumulated grease and crud off.

 

[codeman]

I don't think your footwear is osha approved for Scout work??? (pic 3). I see the ballast material you removed from the plate. I hope you marked the location of each pebble to maintain the proper torsional shift that the ballast provides????

Hondo, fwiw, I have seen pix of that skid plate, I think it was an ordered factory option, but I know somebody will confirm.. Looks like you got it ready to go back on. Clean up is 2/3 of the fun of the project!!

Pm sent about sway bar

 

[Dealbreaker74]

That's the same plate and bracketry on my '74. My Dad bought the truck in early '75 after the original owner traded it in for a Bronco. Anyway, the Scout has been in the family since then, and both that skid plate and the fuel tank plate came with the truck. Can't say the factory sent it this way. Maybe a dealer installed option? Can't verify the origin, but they were both on board when the truck was sold new.
I've also scraped at least that same amount of crud (or is it crude?) off several times. Nature of the beast I guess...

 

[Scout-It-Out]

Could you post a pic when you get it back on? It's hard to picture where it goes. (I May be adding one to my Scout) thanks!

 

[Mark Pietz]

Factory option. Had same setup on my '75 xlc. There was also a skid plate option that bolted to the underside of the front bumper and sloped downward, ending in front of the front axle. Seen a couple of those, talk about armor plate (and heavy!).

 

[Hondo]

Thanks for all the info. I'll hang it back up by a couple of bolts one day this week and post some pictures (still want to put some rust killer and paint on it). Had a pretty busy weekend. Had to go into work for a half day, then help one of my daughters move into sonoma state on Sunday, and go to the gs2ac (golden state second amendment counsel) annual barbaque on satrurday.

 

[Hondo]

Ok here are some pics showing the mounting hardware and the plate just hung up by a couple of bolts, showing how and where it mounts. Looks like I May have to massage the front mounting bar where its hitting the bell housing. Have to check and see if the cross bar is bent, or maybe the motor mounts and tranny mounts are sagging, kind of looks like the bare is bent.

 

[Mark Pietz]

Should be no clearance issues with that part, so I'd suggest shifting it around a little (if you can) and checking your mounts, as you suggested.

 

[Scout-It-Out]

Thanks for the pictures! Very nice! I like the idea. I think I would have done that front bar differently but if it's a dealer option it has to be easy.