So as far as I can tell after reading though all of this, it's that the front bracket used between the top mounted plate, and the front of the skid plate slips too far forward and F's up the pinion seal and deflector (on some trucks), correct? This is only an issue with the skid plate option? To be honest I'm not using mine like most people on here so I wasn't too sure I wanted the skid plate option to begin with. I was going to get it as added insurance for the one or two times a year I travel across a rocky creek bottom for about a mile each way... otherwise I'm afraid it would just hold the mud, there is a lot of clay in a few places I go. Can it be purchased separately does anyone know, or are the brackets different if you order without the skid plate?
It's that the skid plate mounting bracket isn't high enough or not forward enough.
You don't need the skid plate. The option gives you 3 extra brackets and the skid itself. On KHC's website it doesn't show as to being able to order it separately but I'd imagine that you could contact them directly and get it. I'm guessing this is because it seems like all of these are made to order and not stocked.