Skid Plate....Needed? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Bluegoose972 · 01-23-2004, 11:58 AM

There is another crossmember located about 12" behind the crossmember that holds up the transfer case in my blazer. It has no function other than to hold up half of the flat skid plate that spans between these crossmembers.

Here is my question......Was this a factory option or does everyone have this same setup on their blazer? I'm considering NOT installing this crossmember and skidplate. After seeing the amount of material that builds up on this plate, I really don't see a good reason for it. I don't plan on doing anything where I'll high-center, especially with 6" of lift and 36" tires. Is there a reason I shouldn't remove this skid plate and cross member?

Rick

badpeanut · 01-23-2004, 03:28 PM

The transfer case skid plate was an option (the second crossmember and actual plate are a package deal). Most trucks didn't have the transfer case skid plate, so they also did not have the second crossmember (or holes for it). ie. you can leave the second crossmember off if you so desire.

Out of curiosity, do you also have the gas tank skid plate? What does you glove box sticker list in regard to skid plate options (are the skid plates listed seperately or together)?

Bluegoose972 · 01-23-2004, 03:48 PM

I'll look when I get home. Yes, my truck has the gas tank skid plate. Unfortunately, the previous owner decided to mount a trailer hitch on the back so he cut a large chunk of steel out of the center of the skid plate. I'm going to try and patch over this piece this weekend. I'm not even going to try and splice it, but actually just weld a new place right over the top and cover the whole. That way I can just clean up the side welds and then repaint it.

1969 GMC · 01-23-2004, 06:47 PM

my truck doesn't have the transfer case skid plate, but it does have the 2nd crossmember with a skid plate. is it to protect the front half of the driveshaft?

Bluegoose972 · 01-23-2004, 07:05 PM

Too funny....Good Point 1969GMC.....I need to look more closely at things. Maybe the crossmember was suppose to install in FRONT of the transfer case crossmember. It still really wouldn't help me out a whole lot, other than to collect mud and such. When I pulled things apart, there was at least 3" of mud and grease built up on the skid plate.

1976K5CHALET · 01-25-2004, 03:41 AM

6 inches and big tires won't save the transfer case....i,ve actually bent the lip on the xmember even with a skid plate...but it all boils down to what kinda wheelin you plan to do...

DW

Dan72cst · 01-25-2004, 02:31 PM

Just for information.

My BLAZER lists one skid plate option and has the extra cross memeber, t-case plate and the gas tank cover.

INA410 SKID PLATE

01-23-2004, 11:58 AM	#1
Bluegoose972 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 248	Skid Plate....Needed? There is another crossmember located about 12" behind the crossmember that holds up the transfer case in my blazer. It has no function other than to hold up half of the flat skid plate that spans between these crossmembers. Here is my question......Was this a factory option or does everyone have this same setup on their blazer? I'm considering NOT installing this crossmember and skidplate. After seeing the amount of material that builds up on this plate, I really don't see a good reason for it. I don't plan on doing anything where I'll high-center, especially with 6" of lift and 36" tires. Is there a reason I shouldn't remove this skid plate and cross member? Rick

01-23-2004, 06:47 PM	#4
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	my truck doesn't have the transfer case skid plate, but it does have the 2nd crossmember with a skid plate. is it to protect the front half of the driveshaft? __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

01-25-2004, 03:41 AM	#6
1976K5CHALET Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Grand Junction, Colorado Posts: 610	6 inches and big tires won't save the transfer case....i,ve actually bent the lip on the xmember even with a skid plate...but it all boils down to what kinda wheelin you plan to do... DW __________________ Doug Wright aka K5NUTT over @coloradok5.com Owner of http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ChevyK5BlazerChalets Certified K5 Nut

01-25-2004, 02:31 PM	#7
Dan72cst Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Lake Stevens,WA 98258 North of Seattle Posts: 833	Just for information. My BLAZER lists one skid plate option and has the extra cross memeber, t-case plate and the gas tank cover. INA410 SKID PLATE __________________ Marysville, WA (Dan72cst@hotmail.com) 72 4wd Blazer CST 350/350 72 4wd Chevy LWB 350/350 68 2wd Chevy LWB 327/400

01-23-2004, 03:28 PM	#2
badpeanut Not a bad nut after all.. Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: ND Posts: 1,759	The transfer case skid plate was an option (the second crossmember and actual plate are a package deal). Most trucks didn't have the transfer case skid plate, so they also did not have the second crossmember (or holes for it). ie. you can leave the second crossmember off if you so desire. Out of curiosity, do you also have the gas tank skid plate? What does you glove box sticker list in regard to skid plate options (are the skid plates listed seperately or together)?

01-23-2004, 03:48 PM	#3
Bluegoose972 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 248	I'll look when I get home. Yes, my truck has the gas tank skid plate. Unfortunately, the previous owner decided to mount a trailer hitch on the back so he cut a large chunk of steel out of the center of the skid plate. I'm going to try and patch over this piece this weekend. I'm not even going to try and splice it, but actually just weld a new place right over the top and cover the whole. That way I can just clean up the side welds and then repaint it.

01-23-2004, 07:05 PM	#5
Bluegoose972 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 248	Too funny....Good Point 1969GMC.....I need to look more closely at things. Maybe the crossmember was suppose to install in FRONT of the transfer case crossmember. It still really wouldn't help me out a whole lot, other than to collect mud and such. When I pulled things apart, there was at least 3" of mud and grease built up on the skid plate.



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