2018 Z71 Skid Plate Part Number
- Thread starter MLML
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It hasn't shown up yet, but I think it is silver in color.
I’m wondering if it’ll fit my Yukon Denali. The front fascia below the bumper seems a bit different but I’d prefer a metal one over the plastic one it cane with. Not to mention, the aluminum color looks much better
Kpwweb
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The one in my post, the GM one, bolts to the frame—so front fascia doesn’t matter.
Oh Kee Pah
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This is the schematic of the off-road skid plate part. I wish I would have stumbled on this post earlier. I purchased this part in May 2018 for my Tahoe LTZ.
YES, it comes ONLY in silver aluminum.
And YES, the dealer or any auto paint shop can paint the part to match your body color.
I have mine painted black to match. The z71 off-road skid plate stood up to the challenge last year for me. It took a couple dings up on the logging roads in northern Maine and the paint doesn't even look to be scratched up under there! Not that anyone can see...
YES, it comes ONLY in silver aluminum.
And YES, the dealer or any auto paint shop can paint the part to match your body color.
I have mine painted black to match. The z71 off-road skid plate stood up to the challenge last year for me. It took a couple dings up on the logging roads in northern Maine and the paint doesn't even look to be scratched up under there! Not that anyone can see...
R Black
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I realize this thread is over a yr old but here goes anyway - Just purchased a 2020 Tahoe LS, from all evidence the 2020 gen goes back maybe to 2016 or whatever. Not liking depth of plastic valance so started researching the PPV air deflector.... then sidetracked to these front guards ... meaning both the plastic and aluminum ones that set back, and the unique Z-71 one that stretches to the front lower bumper lip and essentially eliminates the air deflector. The latter seems like it only fits with a special bumper cover that has relief along the bottom edge for it. Can you verify that, or will the Z-71 plate fit with a stock chin on the std. urethane cover?
In general short of 5/32" steel ...maybe 3/16" that Z-71 guard that stretches under the bumper chin likely won't do much good on a hard hit. Any of the three will help protect the underside a bit from gravel that may already be in motion as you approach (eg from another vehicle) in which case the plastic one will suffice.
I don't think there is anything you can do to protect the pre- 2021 Generation Tahoe lower edge of the bumper, short of a custom fab with 1/4" steel.
At least the GMT400 or '87 -2001 1/2 tons had similar proportions to the '73 - '91 C/K regarding front overhang and bumper height relative to hub height, these later models seem like you could knock the whole lower facade off even rock crawling at low speed. I think if you had one of those aftermarket metal bumper/grill guard things that replace most of the lower urethane bumper you wouldn't have to worry much at all about the guards except to have the lowly plastic one in place.
The transfer case skid plate shown in this thread elsewhere is a good idea. It's less than $50 and is probably as good as the 73-91 Blazer plates.
To the best of my knowledge there is no gas tank skid plate available for the 2020 Tahoe, but then again maybe the parts guy was mentally impaired. Silicone lube on the bottom of the tank may keep all but the least charitable boulders from cutting through the tank.
If you're good at fabrication most of the forward part of the tank could be protected if you're ready to drill and tap the bottom edge or outside vertical wall of the frame, because I didn't see too many convenient holes.
Oh Kee Pah
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I'm sorry, but I CANNOT 100% verify that the z71 skid plate will fit the stock 2020 LS front bumper.
I would imagine that it would fit your vehicle fine as I am under the impression that the z71 skid plate attaches directly to the framing and NOT the front fascia.
I ordered my skid plates (3 total pieces for under 2015 Tahoe) online but they were installed at the dealership when my z-71 front bumper was installed. I was only able to purchase the bumper via Chevy dealership and my original LTZ front bumper was kept by the dealership. I forget what the exact lingo was on that situation, but I was told typical for large ordered parts like the front bumper.
Are you planning on lifting/leveling your Tahoe?
It may be worth it to look into the BDS lift kit. They have a skid plate with the kit and would be interesting to see what thickness they are constructing theirs.
You might be looking for a front bumper like this: https://www.rockyridgedealerportal.com/Packages/Tahoe-Stealth mpI'm not sure that the Rocky Ridge Suspension company is still producing for Tahoes, but this might give you some ideas. I really do think custom fabrication is the way to go if cost ($s) is not an issue.
I've actually thought a custom rear bumper could be a cool idea. This custom bumper would have a swing gate capable of holding the spare and maybe a 2.5 gal container (2x) or other. Not sure about design, would want to be able to at least open the rear glass gate with the tire gate closed. Kind of a pain to open the tire gate every single time you want to get into the trunk.
I will try to climb under the truck today and see exactly where the front skid plate is fastened...maybe a picture too.
Staggered 02
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That appears to be aftermarket. I purchased one like that for my Crew Cab. It's still sitting in a box where all of the mod items are staged and waiting their turn to get installed. It's made out of Aluminum. Nice piece.
R Black
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Hey thanks for the reply. I think I did figure out that to use that chin plate you need to have a Z71 Bumper fascia (the body color Urethane thing) That would be a deal breaker for me.
I did get a factory transfer case skid plate and it's about 1/2 to 1/3 the thickness of the ones that were on my '79 Jimmy and my 1990 (K-5) Blazer... bit of a joke. We'll see if that thing doesn't crush like a tin can. Damn holes aren't tapped for it I don't think, so more finagling to get that on.
Hey I TOTALLY like your ideas for bumpers and stuff, because ...they're almost identical to mine.
I was thinking about swing aways for gas and water..... a bumper that just slides into the hitch.... stuff like that.
Up front I did some research and there doesn't seem to be anything decent that also has a bumper at the bumper level and leaves the body color bumper fascia intact. They are all just push bars or push bars with brush guards up higher. But ...I did learn a lesson with my 1990. I had a YUGE Ruenel on that thing that must have weighed 350 lbs. Never again. I want some protection up front but it can't be too heavy.
Thing is - I like all these ideas but at the end of the day with an IFS sport utility, if you add all this stuff you end up kinda looking like a *******, because ...at the end of the day .......IT'S GOT AN IFS FRONT END! .....Oh Ohh OHHHHHHH!!!
Though ...I should say my '96 went further up the trail than I thought it would, but ...then you just hit that 'no solid front axle wall'.
I will def. check out that link though. Thanks.
PS - I think you can actually double up on the stock TC plate if you have enough sound deadening or goop to put between them to keep water and dirt out. It's an idea....
