Clayton Off Road Transfer Case Skid Plate | 1/4" Flat Steel | Plate Only | ZJ Long Arm Crossmember + Unibody Rails Required | Welding Required | 1993–1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ | SKU: COR-4104112
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Before ordering, verify your vehicle details, current setup, and SKU with OFAS fitment support so your upgrade matches your build.
Shipping & Delivery
Free shipping is available within the lower 48 U.S. states. Large or heavy items may ship by freight, and delivery timing can vary by warehouse, carrier, and product availability.
Fitment, Shipping & Product Support
⚠️ NOT FOR STOCK ZJ: Clayton long arm suspension with ZJ unibody rails and 3-piece crossmember required.
⚠️ WELDING REQUIRED: Unibody rails must be welded in at correct positions using the skid plate and crossmember as alignment references. Rail spacing: 36-13/16".
⚠️ SHIPS BARE METAL: Surface rust and cosmetic scratches during shipping are normal and not eligible for return, replacement, or compensation.
Verified Fitment
| Year Range | Make | Model | Trim | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993–1998 | Jeep | Grand Cherokee ZJ | Base | 4WD |
| 1993–1998 | Jeep | Grand Cherokee ZJ | Laredo | 4WD |
| 1993–1998 | Jeep | Grand Cherokee ZJ | Limited | 4WD |
| 1994–1995 | Jeep | Grand Cherokee ZJ | SE | 4WD |
| 1995, 1997 | Jeep | Grand Cherokee ZJ | Orvis | 4WD |
| 1997–1998 | Jeep | Grand Cherokee ZJ | TSi | 4WD |
| 1998 | Jeep | Grand Cherokee ZJ | 5.9 Limited | 4WD |
Does NOT fit:
- 1999–2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ — different platform; order COR-4106112 for the WJ
- 2005–2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee WK — different platform
- Any ZJ on stock suspension — Clayton long arm system with ZJ-specific unibody rails and 3-piece crossmember required
- Any ZJ with old-style crossmember or 2" tall unibody rails — geometry incompatible
- Some ZJ builds with aftermarket exhaust — verify routing before ordering
Component Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Part Number | COR-4104112 |
| Kit Contents | Transfer case skid plate only — no hardware |
| Application | 1/4" flat transfer case skid plate — 1993–1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ |
| Material | 1/4" steel — flat profile |
| Hardware Included | None — order COR-4104111 ($15.00) separately |
| Mounting Method | Countersunk Allen head bolts to the ZJ-specific 3-piece long arm crossmember |
| Required Crossmember | ZJ-specific 3-piece long arm crossmember — sold separately; text (469) 407-7538 for current part number |
| Required Unibody Rails | ZJ-specific subframe unibody rails — sold separately; text (469) 407-7538 for current part number |
| Rail Spacing | 36-13/16" — use skid plate and crossmember as alignment reference before tack welding |
| Installation Requirement | Welding required — unibody rails must be tack welded to new positions per Clayton's instructions |
| Compatible Suspension | Clayton Off Road long arm systems only — not for stock setup |
| Exhaust Note | May not fit some exhaust systems — verify routing before ordering |
| Finish | Ships bare metal — apply primer and preferred coating before installation |
| Country of Origin | USA |
| Warranty | 90 days against defects in workmanship |
ZJ vs. WJ installation sequence — key distinction: The ZJ procedure is different from the WJ procedure. On the ZJ, the skid plate is attached to the 3-piece crossmember first using countersunk Allen head bolts. The ZJ subframe rails are then laser-cut with the correct holes, so once the skid plate is attached to the crossmember, the unibody rails slide into place using those pre-cut holes as positioning guides — then tack weld. The correct rail spacing is 36-13/16". If rails cannot be positioned using the laser-cut holes, the spacing must be independently verified at 36-13/16" before welding.
Complete kit option: Order COR-4104110 ($299.00) for the plate and hardware together. Hardware only is COR-4104111 ($15.00). COR-4104112 is the plate without hardware.
What Is and Is NOT Included
| Included | NOT Included |
|---|---|
| COR-4104112 transfer case skid plate — 1/4" bare metal flat steel | Hardware kit (COR-4104111 — sold separately, $15.00) |
| ZJ-specific 3-piece long arm crossmember — required; sold separately (text for current PN) | |
| ZJ-specific unibody subframe rails — required; sold separately (text for current PN) | |
| Primer, paint, or coating for bare metal surface treatment | |
| Welding equipment for required rail positioning |
Critical Compatibility
Same fundamental architecture as the WJ skid plate — different platform, different rail spacing, different installation sequence.
The ZJ Grand Cherokee shares the unibody platform architecture of the WJ, which means transfer case skid plate installation requires the same type of fabrication work: new unibody rails must be positioned and welded, the 3-piece crossmember must be installed, and the skid plate integrates the whole system. The ZJ-specific part numbers, rail spacing (36-13/16" vs. WJ's 39.25"), and installation sequence (skid plate attaches to crossmember first, then rails slide in) differ from the WJ.
Old-style rails and crossmembers are incompatible — explicitly confirmed on Clayton's product page. "Does not work with old style cross member and 2" tall unibody rails." If you're on an older Clayton system with legacy components, the rail upgrade is required before this plate can be installed.
Exhaust routing must be verified. Clayton's own product notes state "may not fit with some exhaust systems." Aftermarket exhaust routing on the ZJ can conflict with the skid plate's position. Verify your specific exhaust system before ordering.
| Scenario | Result |
|---|---|
| 1993–1998 ZJ — Clayton long arm system — new-style rails and crossmember | Confirmed fit — welding required |
| 1993–1998 ZJ — stock suspension | Does NOT fit — not for stock setups |
| 1993–1998 ZJ — old-style crossmember or 2" tall unibody rails | Does NOT fit — geometry incompatible |
| 1999–2004 WJ Grand Cherokee | Does NOT fit — order COR-4106112 |
| 2005+ WK Grand Cherokee | Does NOT fit |
| ZJ with aftermarket exhaust | Verify routing before ordering |
| Hardware not ordered | Order COR-4104111 ($15.00) before installation |
Installation Notes
Skill level: Advanced — welding of ZJ unibody rails required. Professional fabrication shop work is required for anyone without welding experience.
Tools required: Welder, countersunk Allen head wrench or hex socket, socket set and torque wrench. Primer and paint for bare metal surface treatment.
ZJ installation sequence — different from WJ:
- Confirm the ZJ-specific 3-piece long arm crossmember is installed.
- Confirm ZJ-specific unibody subframe rails are on hand.
- Attach the skid plate to the crossmember using countersunk Allen head bolts — do not fully torque yet.
- With the skid plate attached to the crossmember, position the unibody rails using the laser-cut holes in the rails as guides. The rails slide into position using those reference holes to establish the correct 36-13/16" spacing.
- Tack weld the rails in place, confirming 36-13/16" spacing before final weld. If laser-cut holes cannot be used, manually verify spacing at 36-13/16" before welding.
- Complete the rail weld per Clayton's installation instructions.
- Fully torque the countersunk Allen head bolts.
- Verify exhaust routing clears the skid plate before driving.
- Apply primer and preferred coating to all bare metal before installation.
Bare metal prep: Wire brush any shipping rust. Prime and coat all bare steel before installation.
Hardware note: COR-4104112 ships without hardware. Order COR-4104111 ($15.00) before beginning installation.
Common Questions
What's the difference between this (COR-4104112) and the complete kit (COR-4104110)?
Hardware. COR-4104110 includes the skid plate and the hardware kit (COR-4104111). COR-4104112 is the plate only. For a new installation, order COR-4104110 to have everything in one order. Order COR-4104112 only if you already have hardware.
Does this fit my WJ Grand Cherokee?
No — this is ZJ-only (1993–1998). The WJ (1999–2004) uses a different skid plate with different rail spacing and mounting geometry. Order COR-4106112 for the WJ plate only or COR-4106110 for the WJ complete kit.
How is the ZJ installation different from the WJ?
The ZJ attaches the skid plate to the crossmember first, then uses the laser-cut holes in the unibody rails to position and align the rails before tack welding. The WJ positions and drills the rails first, then installs the skid plate. Both require welding — the sequence differs. Rail spacing also differs: 36-13/16" for the ZJ vs. 39.25" for the WJ.
My ZJ has an aftermarket exhaust — will this fit?
Possibly not. Clayton explicitly notes this plate may not fit with some exhaust systems. Verify your specific exhaust routing against the skid plate's position before ordering.
Where do I get the required unibody rails and crossmember?
Text (469) 407-7538 with your ZJ's year and current suspension configuration — we'll confirm the correct current Clayton part numbers for the ZJ-specific subframe rails and 3-piece crossmember before you order.
The Obsidian Take
The COR-4104112 is the ZJ Grand Cherokee equivalent of the WJ skid plate in this catalog — same 1/4" flat steel architecture, same fabrication requirement, same dependency on Clayton's redesigned unibody rail and crossmember system. The ZJ is an older platform and a less common build than the WJ in the current market, but it remains a legitimately capable wheeled vehicle when properly built, and the transfer case protection problem is identical across platforms.
The installation sequence distinction between ZJ and WJ is worth understanding before you start. On the ZJ, the plate goes onto the crossmember first — the laser-cut holes in the rails then position the rails correctly around the installed plate. This sequence takes advantage of the laser-cut precision in the rail geometry. If you approach the ZJ installation with the WJ sequence in mind and try to position rails before attaching the plate, you're working against the system design.
The $284.00 plate-only price vs. $299.00 for the complete kit (COR-4104110) makes the math clear — order the hardware separately at $15.00 (COR-4104111) only if you already have some hardware on hand, or order the complete kit and have everything in one shipment for $15.00 more.
This SKU is for: 1993–1998 ZJ Grand Cherokee builders running the Clayton long arm system with new-style unibody rails and 3-piece crossmember who need the plate only (already have hardware), have welding capability or a fabrication shop scheduled, and have confirmed exhaust routing compatibility.
This SKU is NOT for: WJ Grand Cherokee owners (order COR-4106112), stock ZJ owners, anyone on old-style rails or crossmembers, anyone without welding access, or anyone without the COR-4104111 hardware kit ordered alongside.
Manufacturer Data Disclaimer
Product specifications, fitment data, and feature details are sourced from Clayton Off Road manufacturer documentation and verified third-party technical references current at the time of publication. Clayton Off Road reserves the right to modify product specifications without notice. Confirm unibody rail version, crossmember installation, hardware availability, and exhaust routing before ordering. OFAS is not responsible for incompatibility resulting from incorrect rail version, stock suspension, exhaust conflicts, or missing hardware.
Prop 65 Warning
⚠ WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including lead and lead compounds, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information, go to www.p65warnings.ca.gov.
Non-Returnable Notice
This item is non-returnable once installed. Bare metal cosmetic marks from shipping are not defects per Clayton Off Road's stated shipping policy. Verify rail version, crossmember, hardware, and exhaust routing before ordering. Questions before ordering? Text (469) 407-7538.