How to Install Smittybilt XRC Engine & Transmission Skid Plate on your Wrangler

This guide is for installing the Smittybilt XRC Engine & Transmission Skid Plate on a 2007 – 2011 Jeep Wrangler. The images are of a 2008 Wrangler Unlimited. Use caution. Read all instructions before starting.

Installation Instructions:
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface. Apply the hand brake. Jack up the vehicle and place on jack stands – doing so will give you additional space to work, but should not be necessary to complete the installation.

2. Prior to beginning, spray all of the bolts indicated throughout the instructions with penetrating oil to aid in removal.
3. Remove the transmission cross member by removing the 3 bolts holding it in using the 18mm socket and ratchet. The transmission is not attached to this cross member, it is only supporting a factory protective plate that will be replaced by the new skid plate. Set the cross member aside, but retain the bolt from the center frame mounting hole.

4. Remove the two bolts holding the front of the factory transmission skid plate to the cross member using the 18mm socket and ratchet. Retain the bolts.

5. Thoroughly clean the bolt holes in the cross member and the factory bolts removed in steps 3 and 4 – these will be reused.
6. Rest the new skid plate on the floor jack (or a friend, block of wood, box, etc.) and slide into place with the narrow end of the skid plate oriented toward the front of the vehicle. Slide the rest of the skid plate between the factory transmission skid plate and the frame and line up the two holes closest to the driver’s side with the transmission skid plate mounting holes.

7. Reinstall the three frame bolts removed in steps 3 and 4. Two bolts will pass through the factory transmission skid plate. Leave these bolts loose so the skid plate will be able to continue to move around. At this time, look at the clearance you have between the skid plate and the exhaust. If you need additional clearance, a spacer plate was included with the skid plate to provide this clearance. If necessary, remove the three bolts just installed and place the spacer plate between the skid plate and the frame and reinstall the bolts.

8. Slide the included flag nut into the frame on the passenger side of the vehicle lining the nut up with the remaining hole in the skid plate.

9. Install the included 7/16 bolt and washer in the flag nut. Leave this bolt loose at this time.

10. Identify the passenger side front bracket. It is the one without the welded supports. The frame side of the bracket is the end with the sharp bend.

11. Secure the passenger side front bracket to the passenger side engine mount using the supplied 1” bolt, lock nut, and washers and the 19mm socket and 18mm open end wrench. Leave the bolt loose so the bracket can be easily moved around.

12. Attach the skid plate end of the passenger side bracket to the skid plate using the supplied 1” bolt, lock nut, and washers and the 19mm socket and 18mm open end wrench. Leave this bolt loose at this time.

13. The frame end of the driver’s side frame bracket is the end that has the support welded closest to the end of the bracket that also has an oval hole for mounting. Attach the frame end of the bracket to the driver’s side engine mount using the supplied 1” bolt, lock nut, and washers and the 19mm socket and 18mm open end wrench. Leave this bolt loose at this time.

14. Attach the skid plate end of the driver’s side bracket to the skid plate using the supplied 1” bolt, lock nut, and washers and the 19mm socket and 18mm open end wrench. Tighten this bolt to 50 ft./lbs.

15. Tighten all loose bolts. This includes: the frame side of the driver’s side front bracket, both passenger side front bracket bolts, the three rear frame bolts, the rear bolt attached to the flag nut in the frame. All bolts should be tightened to 50 ft./lbs.
16. Install the access panel for the oil drain plug using the included counter-sunk bolt and the 6mm allen wrench. Do not overtighten.

17. Installation is complete. Re-check the torque on the hardware after 50-100 miles of driving to ensure nothing is loose.