Skid plate rusting off badlands

[Legacy40k]

I have a 2022 badlands and the skid plate is staring to come off. The skid plate itself is fine bar some surface rust. But somehow the threading for the bolts is deteriorating? I’ve lost two bolts from
The front passenger side already. Apparently it threads into the frame.
What are my options? Dealership wasn’t particularly helpful beyond zip ties. Not really a long term fix.

 

[jkernitzki]

Sadly, that's going to fall under a preventative maintenance item. The skid plates are stamped mild steel, and neither they or their fittings are treated to the extent that the rest of the chassis is for corrosion resistance. Couple that with salted roads and it's an absolute guarantee they'll rust away without regular care in a very short time.

I only spent one winter in the Northeast and it was beat into my head about regular underbody cleaning and periodic preventative treatments. Ultimately, nothing will completely prevent it from happening in the long run.

As far as repair/restoration, your options are limited. Assuming there's enough material left at the attachment points, drilling out and rivnuts, or a welded patch that can be drilled & tapped are about all I can think of.

 

[Legacy40k]

The plate itself is fine. It’s the threading in the frame that’s shot.

 

[incavulator]

I think I'd try to adapt some j-nuts to fit in the subframe to accept the bolts that hold the skidplate.

 

[thomasm23]

The plate itself is fine. It’s the threading in the frame that’s shot.

I believe the frame is not threaded. J-Nuts are used. My dealer has not replaced all the shield fasteners several times. The dealer had to order 2 new sets along with the J-Nuts.

 

[Legacy40k]

That's what I expected. But if you zoom in on the 2nd picture. You can see the threading and no clip.

 

[sajohnson]

I have a 2022 badlands and the skid plate is staring to come off. The skid plate itself is fine bar some surface rust. But somehow the threading for the bolts is deteriorating? I’ve lost two bolts from
The front passenger side already. Apparently it threads into the frame.
What are my options? Dealership wasn’t particularly helpful beyond zip ties. Not really a long term fix.

They may have been trying to be helpful, but zip ties?!

If that plate comes loose while driving, it could be very ugly.

What do they treat the roads with up there in the winter?

We also have a '22 Badlands. Our skid plate and everything underneath looks good (I was just under there for an oil change). They go crazy with the salt down here, but we don't drive much so it's not surprising that there is no corrosion.

 

[sajohnson]

That's what I expected. But if you zoom in on the 2nd picture. You can see the threading and no clip.

That's how ours is -- ordinary threads. The only J-nuts are for the 4 small machine screws that hold the lower bumper cover to the leading edge of the skid plate.

 

[sajohnson]

Sadly, that's going to fall under a preventative maintenance item. The skid plates are stamped mild steel, and neither they or their fittings are treated to the extent that the rest of the chassis is for corrosion resistance. Couple that with salted roads and it's an absolute guarantee they'll rust away without regular care in a very short time.

I only spent one winter in the Northeast and it was beat into my head about regular underbody cleaning and periodic preventative treatments. Ultimately, nothing will completely prevent it from happening in the long run.

As far as repair/restoration, your options are limited. Assuming there's enough material left at the attachment points, drilling out and rivnuts, or a welded patch that can be drilled & tapped are about all I can think of.

I like your rivnut suggestion -- as you said, if there's enough material left.

Of course, even if rivnuts will work, the rust will be an ongoing issue.

We used a product on our RV from "KBS Coatings." It is a 3-step process and worked well. Needless to say, there are other products, and some of them my be better and/or easier to use, but something like KBS might be a good way to reduce any further corrosion.
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