skid plate removal

just tried to paint my skid but cant get it out. all the bolts are out but there must be something im missing, its in there pretty good. any help would be appreciated

 

is it a factory skid or ????
it might be just pinched in place
if you looked it over and all the bolts are out pry it off or get a bigger hammer

 

stocker ill try it but its solid in there there are 5 bolts correct?

 

idk on the 1st gen??
mine had 6 but im 2nd gen.

 

yes, there should be 2 under transmission and 3 under the radiator, but double check and see if you have 6. the skid is 2 pieces and they clip together. if its wedged in there good it can be a nightmare to pull out. Give it a good yank and bang on it with a rubber mallet.....you cant hurt it by hittin it....it will eventally come out

 

ahh may have been wedged into the second plate i actually have a missing bolt lol so only 4 but ill take a hammer to it tomorrow
thanks for the advice

 

yes the engine skid and tranny skid wedge into eachother.....so that may be it. oh and dont feel bad im missin one to so it very well may be six but i believe its five

 

Five bolts on mine. Three in the front (middle one is longer than the other two) and two in the back. I just took mine off earlier this week to change the oil. Should come right off.

 

isnt there a hole to change your oil?

 

yeah but the filter drips oil all down on it and makes a mess.

 

if the trucks cool i just put a plastic bag on my hand to untwist the filter straight into the bag works pretty good as long as you get the lip of the bag over the filter

 

x2, but remember, this is for both the front and rear skids.

 

good idea may work on it tomorrow

 

There is also a hook on the front that will keep the front skid from falling off completely after the 3 front bolts are removed. You have to kinda lift it off the front crossmember and slide it back a liitle bit to get it off.

 

5 bolts. Take them off and it will fall a little bit. It will still be held on in the front. Pull on it a little bit and all of it will come off. Piece of cake.

 

7 bolts........i swear i only had 5....damn it now i gotta go check

 

Sounds like you may be overlooking the two that you have to get to with an extension.

I rarely have an issue but if it doesn't want to slide of the rear section, it helps if you just loosen the two bolts for the rear section. No need to remove the rear section entirely if you don't need too.

Also when you put it back on, be sure the thread all the bolts in by hand before tightening them down.

 

i never had to use a extention to get my skids off.....i just took all the skids off and painted them...gettin ready to take them down and do it again......stupid rust