RCI Front Skid Plate install question

For those of you with the RCI skid plates and front diff drop. How hard was it to install the front skid with the spacer kit from RCI? If you have done this, how did you get the spacer on for the middle section, reach through the side or the oil door?

 

it was a suck fest for me , but got it done.
many swears ...

 

Insert bolt through the skid and spacer to hold it in place, then carefully raise the skid while lining up the bolt, hand tighten to keep in place and proceed with the remaining bolts. I had to lie on my back under the truck and basically bench press the skid into place with one hand while using the other to place bolts and drink beer. It’s doable, just have to be creative!

 

I figured it was doable, many have probably done it. Was thinking of using jack stands and to help hold it in place. Looks like it might be a PITA. I'll give it a go this weekend if the weather holds out.

 

you can use a small amount of grease to hold the spacers on the skid or on the frame and use a floor jack with some ply wood to raise the skid in to place. thats how I did mine. worked pretty well

 

Jack stands would definitely help.. I didn’t have any available at the time so I had to hold it up there myself. It does get really heavy after a while. I’m sure you’ll be fine. It’s one of those things where once you get under the truck, it all makes sense.

 

I just got mine today, this probably how im going to do mine.

 

Finally got around to install the skid plate. A couple of milk crates and about an hour or so to get it done. Happy with the fit and finish of it as of now.

 

Nice. Gonna install mine this week. I got a diff drop also. Never looked at the parts yet but can you post up some pics of the spacers you used to accomadate the diff drop?

 

The spacers came with the parts supplies by RCI.

 

Do u notice any ground clearance lost?

 

Didn’t pay much attention to it. I don’t do much severe off-roading, just wanted better protection for when I am at the deer lease.

 

If you plan to use the skids and put weight on them, I’d suggest swapping out that spacer for a wider one that spreads out the load. It’ll eventually just get pressed in. Once that happens, the bolt will no longer screw in properly. RCI needs to change those out for proper ones.

 

@RCIoffroad any input on this? Im about to instal but to avoid that maybe I should try to source some bigger spacers. I bought mine from a guy who bought it thinking it will fit his procomp 6” lift. So I scored and saved a ton of shipping cost but one bag looks like it was retaped. Would you guys be able to verify if this is all the hardwAre I need to install with a diff drop?

 

this should help you out . Review the hardware listing and fingers crossed nothing is missing that can’t be easily found at the local hardware store.

I quickly cross referenced and looks like you are only missing some nylon lock nuts. But I could have missed something.

 

exactly what part is this? In my picture is are the block spacers the ones you are referring to change?

 

So the white color in between is the spacer. It’s only installed to clear a diff drop. The black part that gets cut off in the shadow is the top of the skid that mounts to the truck. There are 3 of those. And the dirty part on top is where the skid meets the truck. That part should be flat. But see how it got indented and compressed in by the small spacer. In your parts picture, the spacers appears to be the 5 black spacers.

 

The black spacers are plastic. Yours look metal. Damn so I should be hunting for better spacers or maybe a washer?

 

This was on my old truck. Can't remember if they were aluminum or plastic. I think plastic would be ok, they just need to be wider to spread out the load. Luckily my new truck doesn't have a diff drop so I don't have to worry about it anymore.

 

Seems like a lot of people don’t get the nylon lock nuts.

 

Just found the instructions, they popped up from out of the blue haha but these say 207-2020 and also only have 3 nylon lock nuts but if u look closely they replaced them with retainer washers.

 

just installed mine, visually it action looks like it gained clearance and i love it. Fits like a glove but just wondering why mine came with plastic spacers when everyone else's looks aluminum finish

 

Mine were plastic

 

I got plastic also