mud child
i've been watching this thread, as i have no skid plate or other protection on my kick, 'cause i've been concerned about doing what you have done.
obviously, you have some repairs to make, and i hope you will report on how you approach this.
i'm trying to put together some brace between the front a-arm bushing mounts and the cross member to help protect the diff. cap (and mabe be a mount point for a skid pan) and be a bit of a rockslider thing. i'm trying to avoid the skid pan, as in the past i found it a pain during servicing.
also something like that to cover the transfer tail piece.
judging from the obvious markings i've collected underneath, it's amazing to me that my muffler, etc. hasn't been ripped out!.
i often trail alone, so i crawl.....
richard