I used a rubber hose from an air mattress pump for the rear axle breather tube and one from a sink sprayer on the front. Tonight I am going to look at welding together at least two stock skid plates and reinforce them to make one that will sit under the t-case and won't collapse. I think starting with a rig that was pretty rough has successfully tempted me into using stuff that I otherwise wouldn't have.
I'm really just ready to wheel this thing. I'm tired of buying metal, very close to being tired of welding on it. I've gone through two 10lb spools of wire and two gas cylinders. My bill at the steel supply place this month alone was over $500. Good thing I have not kept very many of the receipts from this build.