If you haven't found one in a few weeks I may have one when I get back to MS, I took it down when I installed my IC, but now that my IC is removed I never put it back on either.
It's composite hard plastic, I don't know why it's called a skid plate by some, why do you want one to me it was always a PITA when doing maintenance/inspections
Some, mine for example is aluminum ! It's original ! Depends on the model year of the truck !
Cu,
Sven
I would call the plastic ones "splash shield" and the Aluminum ones "skid plates". Believe me, I've tested 'em and "skid plate" is a perfectly accurate description.......):h
My front diff plate has the mother of all dents in it from supporting the whole weight of the truck on a killer rock. Saved my front diff that day while back in the boonies.....
My 98 came with a plastic one. Swapped it out for the aluminum skid plating off my 89 before I had it hauled away. Same with the skid platting for the front diff and transfer case...98 had them removed, swapped n the Aluminum ones from the 89.
It's only four 15 mm bolts to remove for maintenance, no problem at all. I do know that if I even consider working on the front end/engine area i zip the 4 bolts off right away as I know the plate will get in the way of access sooner or later. Like I said though; 4 bolts, no big. Especially with an air ratchet. Well worth the hassle for the protection.
I would consider it a must item for trucks that do highway miles, especially if you have the air dam removed. Best protection you're going to ever get from road debris kicked up by other vehicles. Nothing would suck more than taking a rock in the front cover, oil pan or jammed in the serpentine belt at highway speed. Keeps road spray (ie: water, oil, rad fluid, etc) and other whatnot off the belt system also.
Best heat sink you'll ever have if you mount the PMD on it as Heath does. Huge amount of surface area to dissipate heat and it's aluminum which is an excellent conductor. If that 2 foot X 3 foot 1/4 inch-ish aluminum plate can't suck off the PMD heat, nothing will!
Best bet is a junkyard from an earlier model GMT400 4X4 chassis...if you want aluminum that is.
