Evidently my skidplate caught on something in some deep ruts. But at least it's doing it's job I suppose, I'm not hitting the diff on stuff. I'm going to make a replacement for this one and the front plastic one out of some 1/4 diamondplate I have when I get around to it...

Also backed out of a high spot and popped the little plastic rivets out that held my air dam on. So I just threw it by the shop, and removed the fog lights so they wouldn't get smashed.. It doesn't look too bad. I'm going to leave it like that until I get around to building a front bumper.

....dude put that thing up on a lift wash the bottom of that truck lol....but yeah a diamond plate skid plate would look cooooool

and why in the world did GM put a plastic skid plate on the front???

i have been thinking for years that a 1/8 inch thick plate all the way from the bumper to the back of the tranny would be awsome. havent done it myself yet tho.

On the older trucks the plastic was standard and when you got the skidplate package you got the aluminum one along with the trans and diff skidplates. This truck has the skid plate package but still has the plastic front one. bah... I'll make a better one sometime... The plastic one doesn't keep enough mud out either...

Does the skidplate come std. on all 4x4 trucks?

Nar, how does the truck do with tires that big? Even with the stockers, it seems to me that the power steering is struggling when turning in parking lots and backing up trailers and such. No trouble with the 285's?

The front plastic one would be standard, the ones under the diff and transfer case come in the skidplate package.

My power steering has never had trouble turning even when sitting. I have seen people say theirs is hard, but mine has always been able to turn easy when not moving, whether with stock tires or 285s. I've done a lot of turning in no space when hooking up trailers and stuff, no problems.

And big tires? These aren't big. They are too small. Gonna get bigger ones soon.

Those first two pictures would make mackin have heart-failure.):h

nar,

I made a skidplate exactly like what you are talking about. In fact I made a couple for people who wanted them (not making them any more, though). Here is a guy who bought one and had some pics of it on his truck, if you would like to see what they look like.

Oh yeah, 1/4" is very much overkill for this thing (trust me I made one out of it). Try 3/16" maybe even 1/8".

The only this is that on the Dmax some sort of hose or something kinda ties into the skidplate, so you would have to design to accomodate that.

http://tommy3z71.homestead.com/skid_plate.html

I made my own on my 200 Z71 out of 1/4" Aluminum. Was to thick but worked:
http://www.sandbros.com/mikesride/chevy/skids/skid1.JPG

http://www.sandbros.com/mikesride/chevy/skids/skidall.JPG

Those first two pictures would make mackin have heart-failure.):h

Maybe I should show how dirty my truck was the other day huh? :muahaha:

DuckhunterInTN-I've seen that one before... I had forgotten about it. Looks nice. The diamondplate I have is regular steel. Not sure if it is 3/16 or 1/4. Have to measure it and see. It used to be covering the huge rust hole in the floor of my 76 gmc.

I plan to make one that is wider like mike's so it keeps more mud out. The stock shape allows mud to get by. I noticed those hoses, but they seem to also be attatched to the round tube that the skid plate bolts to.. Have to see when I take it off...

I'll make one to replace the one under the diff too, maybe make it go farther back too.

mike330r-That looks pretty good, similar to what my plan is. I just need to get around to doing it.

this pic is for mackin:ro)

http://img9.echo.cx/img9/2052/p60401165fz.jpg

Note to self;


Never I mean never go to Wyoming in my truck :eek: But I wouldn't mind drinking some beers and going 4 wheeling with you guys in your trucks! :D

We have a few guys that do that, ride along and have a beer or 6 while cheering us on as we do stupid things.:cool: We do of course make fun of them for not playing with their trucks.;)

You'd have a good time...

yea, just look at the links below!

Nice mud.:cool2:

Mike do you still have your old skid plate?

I think so. WIll have to look.

Hey Everyone...

That plastic panel bolted under the front end is not a skid plate. It is a deflector to keep road crap from getting into the engine compartment according to GM.

Hey Everyone...

That plastic panel bolted under the front end is not a skid plate. It is a deflector to keep road crap from getting into the engine compartment according to GM.

True, but it doesn't even do that well. And where I drive it ends up being partly a skid plate too. If I make one I will make it wider because the plastic one allows mud past the sides and up around the steering.

NAR...agreed

I'm in the air and have pulled all the plastic crap off the truck. Figured out what can get hit and hurt and have protected those areas...easier to clean and I'm betting I've taken 200 lbs. of plastic off the truck.

Better post picture then...

nar...

I've tried to post a picture in the past. I keep getting this crap about my picture having to many MB. I'm using a Kodak basic digital with an EasyShare program. Any suggestions?

edit in paint, photoshop or LView

Yeah, you just need to edit it and make it smaller. Many programs have the "save as compressed jpg" option, this will make it smaller.

I'll give it a try sometime during the week. To many beers today to be playing on the computer.

hope this works

looks great!

Looks like an older version of my truck except the shell and lift... Nice..

Thanks guys...thats where I spend my time shaking off office stress...

Since you haven't filled out a signature... What lift do you have?

_nar_

I took my plastic off last weekend and my engine temp dropped like a rock while pulling my 14K trailer in 111* temps. Haven't seen anything over 203* since.

Where in Wy are you?

nar...

Using a 6" Superlift. I'm impressed with the lift (heavy duty/takes a beating). Not impressed with the Superlift company. They can't seem to get their s*%t together. Wanted a steering stabilizer from them that works with their lift. Get the same bulls*%t from them everytime I ask when. Same goes for their traction bars which happen to be a great design.

As for not putting down the data on the truck, it would sound like bragging. I'm an old dude who has "built" many vehicles. This sucker I'll be buried in. I bought it, garaged it, took it apart and put it back together the way I wanted it. Eats Hummer's and Dodge's, ****s Fords...on or off road...

_nar_

I took my plastic off last weekend and my engine temp dropped like a rock while pulling my 14K trailer in 111* temps. Haven't seen anything over 203* since.

Where in Wy are you?

Yeah I saw that in the other thread.. Very interesting I thought. Not an option for me as most of my driving is off road on the farm and it keeps crap out... But good to know for the guys that are pulling down the highway. I am in wheatland. It's on I-25...


nar...

Using a 6" Superlift. I'm impressed with the lift (heavy duty/takes a beating). Not impressed with the Superlift company. They can't seem to get their s*%t together. Wanted a steering stabilizer from them that works with their lift. Get the same bulls*%t from them everytime I ask when. Same goes for their traction bars which happen to be a great design.

As for not putting down the data on the truck, it would sound like bragging. I'm an old dude who has "built" many vehicles. This sucker I'll be buried in. I bought it, garaged it, took it apart and put it back together the way I wanted it. Eats Hummer's and Dodge's, ****s Fords...on or off road...


Worried about bragging? Have you seen some of the guys sigs on here? Some of them must own banks. Anyway sounds cool. Haven't really seen many guys with superlifts since the knuckle kits are easier to install.

Do you suppose a 1/8" plate with louvres added might serve to both protect from rocks and add a little ventilation for removing heat from the engine? I'm thinking of the slots you might see in a street rod hood or rodded pickup tailgate - facing rearward to pull air out rather than forward to suck air (and debris) in.

Something like that might work pretty good. I was thinking about it but I don't have the thing for making louvers. Plus I don't think I could in the diamond plate I was going to use..

[quote=_nar_;649582] I am in wheatland. It's on I-25...

Know it well, kid sister was born there (back in 1954!), hell we probably know people. May have even waived at each other on the highway a time or two!

You never know. What color is your truck. Your sister would be 2 years older than my dad...

You never know. What color is your truck. Your sister would be 2 years older than my dad...

White on white - as plain as you can get, till you jump in! My baby sister is 2 years older than your dad? Jeezuz I am getting old! :lol: