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Question on transfer case skid plate / crossmember

J

jarrington

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My 2020 3500 came with the snow plow prep group which includes the transfer case skid plate. The skid plate is attached to a crossmember that looks to be only for the skid plate itself, it isn't attached to the transfer case or anything else other than the frame.

Do the trucks without the skid plate have this crossmember? Is it safe to remove? Will try to see if I can get a good pic.

Thanks,
Jason
 
can't answer your question because i have a power wagon but why would you want to remove it. Looking at mine it looks like something every HD would have
 
Maybe it’s visible from the side and he doesn’t like it, if the trucks without the skid plate don’t need/have it why would his. I had one on one of my older Rams (04) I removed for exhaust reasons
 
I'm looking for a place to mount an accessory lithium battery pack and want to get it as far forward as possible, since my slide-in camper is going to put me close to the rear GAWR. I know that crossmember is used for the skid plate and (possibly) the DEF tank on diesel rigs, so I thought maybe it wouldn't even be there for a Hemi without the skid plate. There's a much heavier crossmember for the transmission not too far away.

I'm not going off roading with a 3000lb+ hard side slide in so don't really need the skid plate anyway. It's not a huge deal, just planning out some mods and thought that if possible getting rid of that skid plate and crossmember would open up some space.
 
Now I’m curious if all the diesel trucks have it or not, on my 3rd gen it was just a thin stamped plate both for the skid plate and cross member
 
saltman said:
Now I’m curious if all the diesel trucks have it or not, on my 3rd gen it was just a thin stamped plate both for the skid plate and cross member
Click to expand...
my 3rd gen the cross member is not thin its the same idea as the 4.5 setup really....
 
They’re not even close to the same in construction and attachment to the frame (general shape and location yes), since you seemingly like contradicting every post I’ve made in the last week go ahead and post a photo of “your” third gen cross member and show us how it’s not just a flimsy stamped piece of steel in a u shape held to the frame by two much smaller bolts on either side vs the current gen trucks
 
What I'd really like to know is if a 2WD Hemi has a crossmember in that location. The closest thing I could find is this undercarriage video of a 2016 2500 RWD.


I can see what looks like a reinforced point on each side of the frame where I think this smaller crossmember would go, but there's nothing there and in fact there's nothing connecting the two frame rails between the transmission crossmember and the rear axle.

Thee crossmember is pretty sturdy but I think that's just so it can take the hit if something whacks the transfer case skid plate. I don't think it's needed for the structural integrity of the frame.
 
jarrington said:
What I'd really like to know is if a 2WD Hemi has a crossmember in that location. The closest thing I could find is this undercarriage video of a 2016 2500 RWD.


I can see what looks like a reinforced point on each side of the frame where I think this smaller crossmember would go, but there's nothing there and in fact there's nothing connecting the two frame rails between the transmission crossmember and the rear axle.

Thee crossmember is pretty sturdy but I think that's just so it can take the hit if something whacks the transfer case skid plate. I don't think it's needed for the structural integrity of the frame.
Click to expand...
Actually on a closer look that is a 4WD model, and doesn't have the skid plate or the crossmember. I don't think the frames changed much at all between the 4th gen and 4.5 gen so that seems like a pretty good sign it isn't needed.
 
jarrington said:
Actually on a closer look that is a 4WD model, and doesn't have the skid plate or the crossmember. I don't think the frames changed much at all between the 4th gen and 4.5 gen so that seems like a pretty good sign it isn't needed.
Click to expand...

You sure?

Not sure I see that one in the image, but I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss it as non-essential.

moparinsiders.com

Introducing The New 2019 Ram 2500 & 3500 Heavy Duty: - MoparInsiders

moparinsiders.com moparinsiders.com

Ram engineered an all-new frame for the 2019 Ram Heavy duty made with 98.5 percent high-strength steel. The new frame has six separate cross-members, fully boxed rear rails, and hydroformed main rails which were built for optimal strength and mass efficiency.
Click to expand...
 
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saltman said:
They’re not even close to the same in construction and attachment to the frame (general shape and location yes), since you seemingly like contradicting every post I’ve made in the last week go ahead and post a photo of “your” third gen cross member and show us how it’s not just a flimsy stamped piece of steel in a u shape held to the frame by two much smaller bolts on either side vs the current gen trucks
Click to expand...
It is 1/8 stamped steel it is not “flimsy” im not crawing under it in the snow for a picture but if you had common sence you would understand as they build more capable trucks they must increase the size and strength of all the parts..... my point is why remove it
 
Regardless of the year or generation the bottom line here is the op is on the right track of trying to discover if it is really necessary and or part of the engineering behind the frame. In my short time on this planet having turned wrenches, working for an OEM in a technical and product planing role, having a formal automotive/engineering degree, and flat out experience with other makes and models of truck platforms VERY rarely has a bolt-on skid plate crossmember been there for more than a place to attach the skid plate to. Jarrington please keep us posted what you find on the other models, I also am curious if they all have it and best of luck to ya!!
 
saltman said:
Regardless of the year or generation the bottom line here is the op is on the right track of trying to discover if it is really necessary and or part of the engineering behind the frame. In my short time on this planet having turned wrenches, working for an OEM in a technical and product planing role, having a formal automotive/engineering degree, and flat out experience with other makes and models of truck platforms VERY rarely has a bolt-on skid plate crossmember been there for more than a place to attach the skid plate to. Jarrington please keep us posted what you find on the other models, I also am curious if they all have it and best of luck to ya!!
Click to expand...
I agree completely.

But the 4th Gen frame and the 2019+ frame is different.
Just letting him know he needs to focus on 2019 and up
 
Maybe I'll poke under a couple of trucks the next time I'm near the Ram dealer and see what I can find. A quick look at some of the online Mopar parts places shows that the current skid plate crossmember part number goes back to at least 2013, which is why I thought that 2016 video was relevant.
 
They'll save a nickel to go to a CP4 but you're telling me they wouldn't just dog-leg out the TCase shield instead of spending to put that large square stock in there with those robust frame mounts and heavy bolts?
 
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