- First Name
- Mike
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2022
- Threads
- 2
- Messages
- 605
- Reaction score
- 771
- Location
- Albuquerque
- Vehicle(s)
- BS Badlands
- Thread starter
- #1
First, I have to say, I love the driver’s side skid plate now that it is installed. The one on the driver’s side is definitely needed. I ripped the carpet that came stock and severely scratched the gas tank skid plate prior to ordering these. The skid plates come as a pair, but I don’t really see the need for the passenger side one. There’s nothing to protect on that side except floor metal.
The video showing installation was great, but it wasn't for a Badlands. Turns out removing the gas tank skid plate is required on the Badlands. It has to be “trimmed” to reinstall. I haven’t done that yet. The gas tank skid is attached with button head Torx bolts that are cemented in with permanent Loctite. I used every tool in my tool box including acetone and an air hammer to try to remove them. I broke a 3/8 to 1/4 socket adapter trying to remove them. The air hammer just stripped the head, and I had to cut that button head off. The only thing that worked was a mini propane torch to burn off the Loctite. Mind you, this is inches from the gas tank. After that, it came off easily.
The video mentions how hard the pinch weld metal is. They weren't kidding. You must have a center punch to start the drill hole. Start small and go bigger. With he DeWalt drill bits I found at Home Depot it took 30 minutes to drill the first hole. I ordered some GMTOOLS Cobalt Drill bits with 5% Cobalt from Amazon. They worked great, but were worn out by the time I got the other 5 holes drilled. The drill bits weren’t long enough for my DeWalt cordless drill to clear the car body without an extension, so I used a Hex Shank Keyless Drill Adapter to drill the hole without the drill motor touching the body. A drill motor with a keyed chuck may have fit without hitting the body.
Once the holes were drilled, and the gas tank skid plate removed, it was fairly easy to install. A rubber mallet was useful for forcing it under the subframe tie in. I put medium Loctite on those bolts when I reinstalled them. A small magnetic pickup tool was useful for getting the nut tabs back to where they go. One disappeared while sliding the skid in, and the magnet was needed to get it back into place. The only wrench that would reach the front 1/4”-20 button head nut was an offset 7/16” wrench. A standard box end didn’t work, and neither did a socket.
LIST OF TOOLS EXTRA TOOLS NEEDED FOR BADLANDS
Keyless Drill Adapter T-40 Torx Bit
Offset 7/16 Box End Wrench Mini Propane Torch
Telescoping Magnetic Pickup Tool Fire Extinguisher
Center Punch 1/4” socket for Torx Bit
Cobalt Drill Bits
T Handle Allen Wrenches 5/32 & 5/16
13mm and 15 mm socket wrenches
Rubber Mallet
Loctite
The video showing installation was great, but it wasn't for a Badlands. Turns out removing the gas tank skid plate is required on the Badlands. It has to be “trimmed” to reinstall. I haven’t done that yet. The gas tank skid is attached with button head Torx bolts that are cemented in with permanent Loctite. I used every tool in my tool box including acetone and an air hammer to try to remove them. I broke a 3/8 to 1/4 socket adapter trying to remove them. The air hammer just stripped the head, and I had to cut that button head off. The only thing that worked was a mini propane torch to burn off the Loctite. Mind you, this is inches from the gas tank. After that, it came off easily.
The video mentions how hard the pinch weld metal is. They weren't kidding. You must have a center punch to start the drill hole. Start small and go bigger. With he DeWalt drill bits I found at Home Depot it took 30 minutes to drill the first hole. I ordered some GMTOOLS Cobalt Drill bits with 5% Cobalt from Amazon. They worked great, but were worn out by the time I got the other 5 holes drilled. The drill bits weren’t long enough for my DeWalt cordless drill to clear the car body without an extension, so I used a Hex Shank Keyless Drill Adapter to drill the hole without the drill motor touching the body. A drill motor with a keyed chuck may have fit without hitting the body.
Once the holes were drilled, and the gas tank skid plate removed, it was fairly easy to install. A rubber mallet was useful for forcing it under the subframe tie in. I put medium Loctite on those bolts when I reinstalled them. A small magnetic pickup tool was useful for getting the nut tabs back to where they go. One disappeared while sliding the skid in, and the magnet was needed to get it back into place. The only wrench that would reach the front 1/4”-20 button head nut was an offset 7/16” wrench. A standard box end didn’t work, and neither did a socket.
LIST OF TOOLS EXTRA TOOLS NEEDED FOR BADLANDS
Keyless Drill Adapter T-40 Torx Bit
Offset 7/16 Box End Wrench Mini Propane Torch
Telescoping Magnetic Pickup Tool Fire Extinguisher
Center Punch 1/4” socket for Torx Bit
Cobalt Drill Bits
T Handle Allen Wrenches 5/32 & 5/16
13mm and 15 mm socket wrenches
Rubber Mallet
Loctite
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