Typically, when a suspension lift is installed,
like the Pro-Comp six inch lift on the ORC Silverado, the truck is
going to be taken through rougher terrain than before. But, with
that fact, comes the susceptibility of the undercarriage and the
front suspension/cross-member components.
While on one of our off-road excursions, the "Road Not
Maintained, Travel At Your Own Risk" pathway became tight and
twisty, laden with large rocks, with no way around. While slowly
rolling through the section of road, we heard the inevitable
rock-against-metal THUD to the front end. Avoidable? Not every
time, but at that point, we decided it would be beneficial to
install Pro-Comp's stainless steel skidplate:
Important: This
skidplate is only compatable with a Pro-Comp suspension
lift.
Unpack the provided hardware, making sure everything is
accounted for. We removed the OEM plastic lower spoiler, to enhance
the look, but this is at your option.
Remove the two tow hook
bolts (one on each side).
It is a good idea to run a thread
chaser through the holes on the cross-member where the lower part
of the skid plate will attach (the Pro-Comp factory coating in the
threads makes starting the bolts very difficult).
Mount the brackets to the
skid plate as shown in the photo to the left. It is a good idea to
leave the bolts relatively loose.
Next, fasten
the brackets in place with the tow hook bolts.
Now swing the skid plate up
to align with the front lower cross-member. These bolts were pretty
difficult to get started, but be sure to run a tap or thread chaser
first, and the process should go much easier.
Once all the
bolts are in place, go ahead and tighten each one.
Glide Plate of Stainless Steel
The skid plate itself is constructed out of top
quality stainless steel, as you can tell when you lift the piece of
metal; its heavy stuff. The overall fit and finish of the Pro-Comp
skidplate was more than satisfying. Our main concern, was the fact
that the new suspension components still hung somewhat low, via the
Chevrolet IFS system; therefor the skidplate serves more of a
functional purpose as opposed to an asthetic show purpose.
We headed out to the ever rough Las Vegas desert
in search of proper testing grounds. Well, we didn't actually look
for that rough of terrain, the truck is still a daily
driver! Needless to say, the ORC staffl just feels better having
that plate underneath the front end of the vehicle, just in case we
encounter that set of rocks (or whatever) that could possibly catch
the cross member and stop us hot in our tracks. As avid desert
enthusiasts, the odds are very likely that this plate will end up
with some scars, and we'll be lucky it was there.
The Good
The Bad
Protects the somewhat low hanging IFS front
cross member
Excellent looks
Made of stainless steel
Quick, simple installation
Affordable
Unless you tap the threads of the front lower
cross member, the lower three bolts are difficult to get started
(because of the gray coating that is applied from the
factory).
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