For a second, I envisioned an iPhone balanced on his forehead like a helmet cam, capturing the install process (and failure).

 

I just did mine last week too. Had the rear 1/2 frame replaced so figured I would have a new skid put on. I got the steel one and its heavy, like 50lbs or so. I decided to paint it because the anodized Terra Firma steel looks pretty bad after a short time. Mine came with all the mounting bolts etc. I pitched the old support plate.

 

Nice work. I painted all my steel terrafirma products as well.. shock towers, steering rods, diff guards, etc. This is aluminum so I was lazy and didn't bother. I may go back and spray the underside black

Reading the instructions for the gearbox skid, it mounts to the radius arm to chassis bolts. Seems sketch. Oh well, it should be a nice addition as I have a big dent in my rear cross-member from rocks.

The only piece I don't have is the front steering skid, but I honestly don't see the use for it? clearance at the steering bars is really good. It's the diff and in particular, the radius arms that sit so low. 80% of my rock damage is on the radius arms. Maybe I need to learn to pick a better line

 

Dammit. I just noticed the instructions for TF868 gearbox skid fits only the TD5, not the v8. Not mentioned on LRDirect or the terrafirma website. I've already painted it... well shipping back a steel plate to the UK is probably not going to happen anyway.

 

That's weird, what's the difference? Didn't the TD5 also get the ZF transmission? Unless its just a difference in placement.

I'd craw under with it and see. I'd bet that you can make it fit either by moving it a few inches forward or back or by making some spacers and getting longer hardware. Either that or just by cutting a piece out of it that gets in the way of something.

 

Only thing that comes to mind would be exhaust