2018 Z71 Skid Plate Part Number

[Oh Kee Pah]

Hey!
Thanks for checking back in. I'm still not sure about that front skid plate needing the z71 front fascia. I was up under there (truck not off the ground unfortunately) and I located the rear 2 connection points. Those connect to the main frame of the vehicle. For the front connections, I couldn't find the exact points. I'm not totally sure it does connect to the front bumper fascia because I had my hand up there and a good 1-2" of space seems to be between the front bumper/fascia and the edge of the plate. Grabbed some photos: see below.

I also dug up a PDF file I had from quite a while back regarding the z71 front skid plate. There's 2 different front skid plates out there. Sounds like you have the right one; one I believe is only made of "heavy duty" plastic. Take a look at the schematic below. I think it's a bit tough to make out but it seems that the 2 front connection points are through the front of the skid and attaching to the front of the vehicle frame. It sounds like you know what you're doing so I bet you can take a second look.

Keep me posted.


Also - totally agree with the overlanding type build getting out of control and kind of poor looking if you start doing too much, especially up front. And like you said, the IFS is going to get you only to a point in terms of difficult off road terrain. I guess it all comes down to our individual goals, needs, wants and finding a suitable place somewhere in between it all.

Still, I like the idea of a swing rear bumper and where you could get the tire and gas/h2o back there. Probably really a custom thing unless you happen to be good with welding, paint etc.
I've seen a really cool roof rack system, but not cheap.
Rhino Rack - http://www.rhinorack.com/en-us/roof?s=EFA2F688-FB8C-498E-AD76-C53CEA096F69
I've also seen the idea of removing the 3rd row completely and then modifying the rear cargo/3rd row to have a pull out drawer, other kind of customized "hidden" storage and goodies.
There is a member @Tozan who has an earlier model Tahoe but has some great overland/off road ideas and mods. Maybe want to check him out...

Photo 1: Rear connection points (upside-down steel "V" with bolt and washer visible; center of photo)


Photo 2: My hand in the open are between front of skid and front fascia


z71 Skid Plate Schematic (Chevy Tahoe 2015-2020)

 

[Doubeleive]

what is the part number for that forward skid plate # 6 ?? searched that same vin and it only shows the plastic one or the optional aluminum ones neither of which are that one.

**also that referenced vin code in the pdf photo does not appear to be a valid vin #

 

[Oh Kee Pah]

what is the part number for that forward skid plate # 6 ?? searched that same vin and it only shows the plastic one or the optional aluminum ones neither of which are that one.

**also that referenced vin code in the pdf photo does not appear to be a valid vin #

It has taken me some digging and "remembering" my own research to find you an answer to this one. For some reason, Chevy was a real pain in providing me a straight answer. when I was working to source this part. I actually ended up ordering 2 of those plastic skid plates before I got the correct part. A guy that worked in the body shop of a local dealer was the one that actually figured out the correct part. He's the one that supplied that PDF printout (with the weird VIN# from previous post). Really great guy but now works at Dodge - bummer!

I think it's pretty safe to say that if you are seeing the front skid plate for less than $150, it's the plastic one. I paid $233.03 + dealer labor (install) + sales tax.

I purchased GM Part# 23475140


Examples of some online purchase options I found today for this part#:
a) https://www.wholesalegmpartsonline....-Skid-Plate-Skid-plate/12475427/23475140.html
b) https://parts.courtesychev.com/oem-parts/gm-skid-plate-23475140

Here's a copy of my receipt & invoice from Chevy dealer:


Hope this helps!
Totally agree that finding your way through the maze to locate this part is confusing.

 

[Oh Kee Pah]

what is the part number for that forward skid plate # 6 ?? searched that same vin and it only shows the plastic one or the optional aluminum ones neither of which are that one.

**also that referenced vin code in the pdf photo does not appear to be a valid vin #

Maybe a photo of my front skid plate would help too...




Looking back at the earlier posts on this thread; it seems we have the plastic front skid plate and 2 different AL (aluminum) front skids in the mix. This is the one that I'm running and I DID purchase through the dealership and it was GM Part# 23475140

 

[Doubeleive]

It has taken me some digging and "remembering" my own research to find you an answer to this one. For some reason, Chevy was a real pain in providing me a straight answer. when I was working to source this part. I actually ended up ordering 2 of those plastic skid plates before I got the correct part. A guy that worked in the body shop of a local dealer was the one that actually figured out the correct part. He's the one that supplied that PDF printout (with the weird VIN# from previous post). Really great guy but now works at Dodge - bummer!

I think it's pretty safe to say that if you are seeing the front skid plate for less than $150, it's the plastic one. I paid $233.03 + dealer labor (install) + sales tax.

I purchased GM Part# 23475140


Examples of some online purchase options I found today for this part#:
a) https://www.wholesalegmpartsonline....-Skid-Plate-Skid-plate/12475427/23475140.html
b) https://parts.courtesychev.com/oem-parts/gm-skid-plate-23475140

Here's a copy of my receipt & invoice from Chevy dealer:
View attachment 252483

Hope this helps!
Totally agree that finding your way through the maze to locate this part is confusing.

and yours looks like the one in the original post in this thread?
because when I search that part number you just provided the generic part photo looks just like part # 23135960

 

[Doubeleive]

answered that question, lol

 

[Doubeleive]

Maybe a photo of my front skid plate would help too...

View attachment 252487
View attachment 252486

Looking back at the earlier posts on this thread; it seems we have the plastic front skid plate and 2 different AL (aluminum) front skids in the mix. This is the one that I'm running and I DID purchase through the dealership and it was GM Part# 23475140

So yours goes around the little cups on the front of the frame? I don't see a bolt hole in front of them did you have to drill holes for the bolts?

 

[Tozan]

IFS... I think solid axle set ups are way over rated in today's 4x4 market and not really any better depending on what you are doing with it. Solid and IFS both have their advantages.

Do you want a serious rock crawler? After you spend $10,000 or more on your solid axles they can do pretty good crawling. Your vehicle will likely be very limited for camping and forget comfort. Also doing serious crawling things will break pretty often too.


If you want to see some real extreme 4x4 check out the Hammers all of them are IFS and RFS. they are total badasses at covering really rough terrain. I think you will have a very hard time convincing them a solid axle is better...

I wonder why just about every quad and side by side is IFS and RFS? Most likely because it is easier to design build maintain and it works better. They also have better ground clearance too.

Now lets talk about going fast off road that is what I like. Nothing like ripping up a back road or desert trail in excess of 75 mph... Most Trophy trucks have IFS and many have RFS too. Why, because it works and is smoother than most solid axles...

Lets be very clear overland has nothing to do with rock crawling and 99% of what you will encounter overlanding and camping is not going to be over terrain as difficult as rock crawling. Crawlers would be very uncomfortable in a long trip.

Overlanding does entail for most of us 300 to 1000 mile off road trips at a time so, passenger comfort, fuel range, camping gear, water, food tools, parts and some like mine even have refrigerators. My Tahoe has 11 inches travel up front and around 15 plus in the rear and as much or more articulation then several rigs I travel with. A locked rear end 4h/4Lo makes it a very capable rig. I run with jeeps and all sorts of other 4x4s that are considered very capable with no problems.

Related to this thread I do not have any skid plates right now and they are not very high on my priority list. The big skid plate up front is not really protecting much at least not on a GM900. The limitation of your suspension right now should keep you off most stuff that would damage anything under there.

 

[Doubeleive]

True but some road debris like this can ********* your vehicle, I hit these at about 60mph maybe slightly more, one punctured the tread of a tire entered the tire and then exited the tire ripping the splash guard in half, one went thru the running board and another went thru and lodged into the wheel well luckily that was just the right rear wheel area if it had been the drivers side it could have punctured the gas tank, if it had been up front hopefully the skid plates would have done there job, not sure though somehow the rear ac lines were missed

 

[Tozan]

True but some road debris like this can ********* your vehicle, I hit these at about 60mph maybe slightly more, one punctured the tread of a tire entered the tire and then exited the tire ripping the splash guard in half, one went thru the running board and another went thru and lodged into the wheel well luckily that was just the right rear wheel area if it had been the drivers side it could have punctured the gas tank, if it had been up front hopefully the skid plates would have done there job, not sure though somehow the rear ac lines were missed

View attachment 252558

I am not sure what those are but, I don't think you would be hitting them on a trail.. It does go to show there is no telling.. lol I once hit a 10 mm Craftsmen wrench we found it inside the tire... That was a surprise.. Good part is I still have it in my tool box today...