Hi all,

I would like some opinions on using just a Mighty Kong t-case mount/skid plate or getting a different t-case mount and a full skid plate for under my Sami.  I know there have to be some pros/cons to going each way and I really don't have a good feel for what is the best solution.

Mainly a daily driver with occaisional trips to Moab and colorado.  I will be running sliders, Shrockworks bumpers, 32" tires, 5+" lift and lower t-case gears. 

Any suggestions on what works well and how prone to damage the bottom of a built Samurai really is.

Thanks,

Rob

Neither one gets my vote... I prefer this:

http://www.zuksoffroad.com/17-bolt-Snatch-t-case-cradle-kit--Bare-Naked_p_181.html

If you break your case using this snatch you were trying to Get Er Done....

Larry the cable guy lives about 3 miles from me.

Thanks for the heads up on that product.  So will this keep my t-case from getting damaged if I hi-center in Moab?

Rob

I built a full skid for my Tracker and loved it in the woods. But I made the mistake of using it at a mud run. It works fantastic if your running over logs and rocks but if you get mud under there it will ruin your day..

Thankfully, I'm not much of a mud guy.  I need it more for impacts with rocks or stumps.  I can see how one would really hold a lot of mud though.

Rob

I will snap a couple of pics for you and you can be the judge... Fair enuff?

I really like the MKII version of the Kong.  I've been running something similar for over 5 years now without any problems, other than one rubber mount that snapped at Moab.  I like the stock types of rubber mounts; I think of them as fuses.

  I like the stock types of rubber mounts; I think of them as fuses.

I like the way you think.

The tcase is very vulnerable, without some sort of added protection.  Personally, I run a tcase bucket on my samurais I take offroad (it protects the bottom of the tcase, doesn't have a large area that hangs low, to catch/snag on stuff and it ties the arms together, so it adds quite a bit of strength, IMO).
One of the guys I wheel with regularly runs a full skid.  So far, I have not been impressed.  There is a lot of area under there to hit on rocks, ledges, etc.  It also hangs down below the frame (because the tcase hangs down below the frame and you can only put the skid as high as the tcase, unless you put a few bends in the skid, to work around the tcase hanging down).
So my vote is bucket, kong, or zor snatch.

Okay... shoot me I have been busy but I did run out and snap some photos for ya of the Zor Snatch... 

Looking toward the back -



Passenger side -



Rear to Front -



My Sammi -



Hope that helps you some...

I see this Thread is getting a little old, but worth a post. I wear a belt, even when I wear suspenders. I have both, Mighty Kong t-case mount and TT full skid plate. I prefer the Kong to mount my tcase, and help reduce the likelihood of bent arms on the OEM tcase mount. I prefer not to bounce the tcase mount on the rocks and such. My full skid takes the beating, and does more for sliding over tall stuff, with less to hang up on underneath. I loose about an inch of clearance with the TT full skid, but I can live with that. If I could not, I would raise my Zuki another inch.

I do not chase every inch of ground clearance. It is a compromise, and you got to stop somewhere.  I also appreciate the added weight of the full skid on my DD. It helps the lower center of gravity, and contributes to better road manors.

Wayne

I won the TT belly plate at an event, so I had been running that.

when I did the 6.5 gears (won at another event!), I fabbed a diy snatch; my 'Taint'  to tie the arms together and add t case attachment points. I plan to tie the taint into the skid plate with 2 rubber mounts...

much like wayne said; a little clearance is lost, but when you high center/hang up, you are able to slide either in the direction of travel, or back to get another line at it.

I can also see the advantage to another inch of clearance as sky has said.


driving style and terrain are two more considerations.

ecoast, I am envious. I have never won squat.

Wayne

Yeah, I've never won anything either.

I'm good for now with the Kong.  I might add something later but for now I have new mounts and the Kong to take care is the t-case.

Thanks everyone!

Rob