did Dodge ever make a skid plate to protect A500 (42RH) trans pans

It is no lower than my other two Darts (and I like them to sit a bit higher than stock, actually), but even with extra capacity pans in them, this one is deeper still because of the additional stuff that protrudes down into the pan for the overdrive. I wasn't concerned until the plug snagged something and cause the pan to leak around the plug ( a cup on the floor overnight). All I need is to rip the plug out while on the road a thousand miles from home.

And yes where to install the plate is the issue, that's why I was wondering if Mopar had already figured that out. If nothing else, I'll get a new pan ($35 on Amazon!!!) and get the current plug hole welded up and put a new plug in on the side of the pan at the back.

Gotcha. Yea, that may be the best way to go. New pan and change the plug.