Trooper Skid Plate instal

[Triathlete]

Last night I installed the 3 Trooper skid plates. I bought all three used for $73 including shipping ( bought them here )This is a very easy mod even for a mechanically challenged person like me!
Total time about 30 minutes.
First thing I did was removed one of the screws from the old piece of tin they call a skid plate (it really is a joke). I drove to my local hardware store and bought 10 (9 needed+1 extra) screws, washers and lock washers. The heads are 14mm. They are a metric thread (1.25). Took me a few minutes to figure out which plate went where. Then it was a matter of holding them in place and putting the screws in. Leave the screws loose until you get them all started since they neeed a little shifting to get them all lined up. Then just tighten them all down! All screws mount to the frame rails (2 on drivers side, 4 on passenger side) and the cross member (3). *Presto* more protection!








Next weekend its lift time;Dr;

[Moncha]

Nice pics!! Thanks!

[coachreed]

OK, maybe a stupid question, but what years of Trooper skid plates will bolt right onto our trusty VX's? I am ready to make my purchase from the salvage yard, but want to make sure I get what I need. Lemme know... Thanks in advance.

TTYL!

[Moncha]

Here's the original thread on the plates.

[Triathlete]

Spazz,
They screws are the same as the factory ones. I thnk they just stand out a bit more in the photos because they are silver vs. the blackish smashed ones I removed from the original piece of tin! Besides that, being in the Corp you should know all about the big screw! (I can say that because I used to be one, a Marine that is);eekr; ;Dr; :laughr:

[Daver]

They do actually look bigger than the stock Isuzu screws. My guess is the lock washer.

-Daver

[Triathlete]

Factory ones have a washer and lock washer!

[WormGod]

Nice job Tri. Looks like they will be most handy since you already have some pretty heavy scuffing going on under there. I am not much of an offroader myself, but it looks like a safe little upgrade that even the average city dweller could take advantage of. Never know when a courier will get in the way.

[VX4EJR]

Question and task for the masses:

Is anyone out there interested in getting these following plates ordered from Isuzu directly:

Part#8-97018-375-3 (exhaust pipe protector/approx.$105)

Part#8-97036-238-1 (frame transmission crossmember protector/approx.$45)


Currently, they are not available or stocked anywhere due to lack of demand. I am in contact with a "high up" in Isuzu parts who may be able to help if there are enough committed buyers. So, this post is my attempt to gage how many people out there would buy....chime in and I can see about getting them!!


Elliott
VX4EJR

[newthings]

If you just order the parts, they will come in about 2-3 weeks.

99 Trooper skid Plates for the Vehicross

The plates are painted, but you can expect to have road dirt wear away the paint. The use of bed liner spray or undercoat is suggested.
The bolt heads become the lowest points on the frame. A damaged head could be a problem getting off. Having a spare might be a good idea. A Button head bolt with Allen socket, would be the best.

Exhaust pipe protector-
part #8-97018-375-3,
$97.84
This plate mounts on the passenger side, forward most.
Put this plate on first since the cross-member joggle is small. The two other plates that share the cross-member bolt have larger joggles. (A joggle is the offseting of a plane)
I would call this a transmission pan protector.
This plate hangs down about 2” of wasted clearance for Trooper cat plumbing. I welded in a plate and then cut off the lower section.
4 bolts (One is common with the other 2 plates)

Transfer case protector-
part #8-97049-784-0,
$63.54
This plate mounts on the driver side.
4 bolts (One is common with the other 2 plates)

Frame (transmission cross-member) protector-
part #8-97036-238-1,
$43.59
This plate mounts on the driver side.
I would call this an exhaust pipe protector.
4 bolts (One is common with the other 2 plates)

Stock Bolts part #8-97104-788-1.
$1.67
Buy 4 for each plate

St. Charles Isuzu
Toll Free: 800-727-8066
Free shipping

[VX4EJR]

Ummm..."newthings".....did you read my previous post here? The two parts I referenced are unavailable to order from Isuzu at this time. This was actually verified by St. Charles Isuzu, IsuzuPartsNet and a guy I know at Isuzu corporate in California.

If you have information otherwise, I'd like to hear the details.

Have a nice day

[Triathlete]

Used is the way to go. All 3 for less than one new one. If you plan on "using" them they won't look all pretty for long anyway!

[Triathlete]

Spazz, check the link above. He sent me all 3! And its in your current neck of the woods so you could save on the shipping.
Actually I thought of saying "bolts" but I figured if it didn't have "nuts" then it must be a screw! A really big screw!;eekr; ;Dr; ;eekr; ;Dr; ;eekr; ;Dr; ;eekr; ;Dr;

[newthings]

VX4ER
I read it, I just am having a hard time beliveing it.
You may be right, but it was not long ago that I bot mine. Does unavailable mean not off of the shelf or you cannot order at all. If St Charles places the order, the system finds the parts between here and Japan and sends them along in a few weeks. This would be the first time Isuzu flat refused to place an order. Not a good sign.
Roy

[Triathlete]

Here is the address Spazz...
All Hyundai & Isuzu Auto Recycling
3750 Recycle Road #2 • Rancho Cordova, CA 95742