1. For 33's you need more than just wheels and tires. Even with a lift you will need to take a BFH to the inner metal of the wheel wells and do some pretty serious trimming of the cladding. There are several posts on the board that refer to this.

2. The factory Rodeo skids do an all right job. But if you have the means to do a custom plate I'd go that route since you will get more complete protection. Same as above search the posts its been covered.

3. The key I think to preventing the coke canning of the frame is to have a minimum of 3 contacts. The one I saw coke can only had 2 points. To add additional support have the person welding them up and on weld a U box about 3-4 inches long to the frame then connect the sliders at those points. That is the plan I'm going to use when I ever get around to getting some made up.

Good luck and keep us informed of your progress. Will we see you in Moab next May?