Skid plate removal on 2004

I searched around and discovered that it is in 2 parts, with 3 bolts holding the front part on and 2 for the back part, and that they clip together and slide apart.

Well mine had 1 bolt in the front, and im trying to change the front differential oil, so all i really need to do is pull just the front part off, but try as i might once i removed that one bolt, i cannot get the front part to go forward, i've hit it with a hammer, but before i really start to whack it, i wanted to make sure that the front part does indeed go forward to come off, and that it will come off without the rear part coming off.

I do see where the other 2 bolts go on the front section, they are just not lined up right and the holes are empty, thankfully they are not broken off, the drivers side one is lined up and has a bolt in it, the one in the middle is about half lined up and the one on the passengers side is totally off line. i also can see where the rear sections bolts are and they are both there, unless it has a 3rd i do not yet know about.

 

there are bolts inside those recessed holes, you can barely see them but they are in there, all totaled its like 10 bolts holding both plates on.

I just left mine off and sold it.

unless you go off road rock climbing or in high weeds and brush, or live up north with snow drifts to need a skid plate, why have it in your way for oil changes

 

Thank you, that was exactly the information that i needed, and it worked like a charm, i will not often go places that i will need the plates, and it will otherwise be a road driver, so im probably going to leave them off.

 

Stock plates are pretty much shit. I bashed them to shit and the only reason I left the front one on was to be a barrier for salt/snow (It was mostly zip tied on).

Upgraded to a set from Ryno All Terrain. Very happy so far.

 

You may want to leave the front one on. If not, it exposes the bottom of your radiator which is plastic, to potential road debris. I've hit truck tires and a few other surprises in the road and been thankful that it was there to take the hit for my radiator.

 

I left both mine off but I only drive city-hiway.

 

some how my 2nd one came off

 

My rear I left off. Only because the welded nut in between the frame busted loose. And was not worth taking all that shit off just to weld a new nut on.