Skid Row Off-road Transmission skid plate noise

I’ve been running the skid row off-road transmission skid plate for about a month now. It’s mainly to protect my cats from being stolen.

Iv been chasing a popping noise when backing out off driveways and going up driveways. Mainly when the weight of the truck shifts. I thought it was my sway bar Links but those are good. Just want to make sure this is normal. I checked everything (ball joints, shocks, steering rack bushings…)

 

I you have only that plate pull it and see if the noise continues.

 

Yeah, he's speaking from experience ^^

If you pull it and find the noise remains, possibly the leaf springs.
If you pull it and find the noise gone, you may want to use bushings anywhere metal meets metal with the plate.