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Originally Posted by CO Hummer
You have a dilemma then. If you want something you don't need bang back straight every time, then you need something beefy. That means adding a lot of weight.
Neil's skid and midrails each weight about 100lbs. You have to pay the weight price to get something that won't buckle under a 7000 lbs vehicle. There's no disputing it - taking off the skid plate is a bit of a pain. I've done it 2 twice. It requires using a floor jack (which can be bought at walmart for only $40). And, I recommend using through-bolts on the rear of the plates (two outside bolts) to fully secure it from coming loose. It's really not difficult. But it's not like the taking off that worthless factory tinfoil skid which weighs almost nothing.
You DON'T have to remove the skid to change the oil. You don't have to remove the plate to reach the 11 zerk valves for a lube job (provided you change that upper one a right angle valve). You don't have to remove the skid to change the front diff fluid. I've seen people post that you have to take the factory skid off get to the zerks. I don't remember exactly how my old factory one fit, but the new skid is open enough of the sides to reach the zerks.
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How much do they reduce ground clearance?
As for the weight, I would think a simple steel skidplate w/ ridges rather than the aluminum one would work up front (maybee 60 Lbs if you use like 3/16"); and just adding a couple of angle pieces to the stock mid-plate( 20 lbs) to give it better lateral stiffness would do it. Or just double the thickness of the tubes on the stock mid rails to make it about 60 lbs.
What about the rock sliders? Does his have something flat on the bottom to keep rocks from peeling back the body mount and slider mounts when you are on rocks? Mine are bent to hell! I like the idea that they stick out some so they can be used a small step, or to keep rocks farther from the body in tight squeezes. Some of the oter ones I've seen (for diffrent makes) have a bar that comes up and away to help keep rocks out of the rocker and lower doors. Like the ones on this K5...
