Anybody got the Rennline Skid Plate?

[Quickstep192]

I just got the Rennline Skid Plate and it looks like it’s going to be just the ticket to protect my fuel tank and fuel pump.


As I prepare to install it, it looks like it’s going to be a bear to hold it in place while getting everything lined up and installing the bolts.

I was considering replacing the bolts with studs so the studs could be used as locators them using nuts to hold the skid plate.

Does this seem like a bad idea?

[PeteKz]

I have a Rennline skid plate too, and I've avoided installing it until I get all the front end work done that I want, because it's a PITA to install and remove! You didn't mention the difficulty of jacking up the front end with the skid plate in place either...

That said, I think that studs, instead of bolts, would be a great idea.

[Cory M]

It's an easy install. I did it on the floor with jack stands. Bolt holes lined up well. I wouldn't complicate it with studs without trying it with your existing hardware first.

[PeteKz]

Cory, how do you jack up the car after the skid plate is in place?

Without a skid plate, I just put the jack (with a block of soft wood on the saddle) under the strong part of the body at the front of the car and lift it. But with a skid plate on, I see having to jack up one side of the car, place jack under one A-arm, then jack up the other side of the car and place the jack under the other A-arm.

[Cory M]

I jack it up from the sides using the factory jacking pad.

[PeteKz]

Another twist with the installation: I went out to the shop this afternoon to install the skid plate. I figured it would be at most a 30 minute job. Famous last words...

After dicking with it for more than an hour, I came to the conclusion that I would not be able to install it without removing the front bumper first (my car is a 1973 T, so it has the early T/E rounded front bumper). The way the skid plate bends, I could not slide it up between the bottom lip of the bumper and the under body. But as I laid on my back (with dirt falling in my face, as usual), I'm not even sure that the bumper will fit back over the front of the skid plate. So I may end up trimming off part of the front of the skid plate.

When I ordered it, I specifically asked what the differences were between the F and G body cars, and I was told that as long as the car had the aluminum cross member (mine does) which came into use in 1973, then it would work. Well, I'm gonna leave it off for now and come back to it when I have more time.

However, let me ask, has anyone seen a skid plate mounted on a 1973 or earlier car? with an S bumper or T/E bumper?

Cory, I have a side-jacking pad too, but I usually want to lift the whole front of the car at once. I guess I'll have to jack up one side, place jack stands, then jack up the other side and place jack stands.

[BrakeL8]

Originally Posted by PeteKz

Cory, I have a side-jacking pad too, but I usually want to lift the whole front of the car at once. I guess I'll have to jack up one side, place jack stands, then jack up the other side and place jack stands.

This can be done depending on the car via a 2x4 cut to length placed in front and jacked from the center of this. Placement/length is important.

Search on here for threads on how to jack up front but prior to having a lift I did this multiple times to get front on stands as I found it far more stable. Good luck with the plate.

[PeteKz]

BrakeL8: thanks for the response. I already lift it from the front using a 2x4 under the strong body channel that has the "U" welded on it. But if I put the skid plate on, then I have to lift it from the sides. However as I was laying under it contemplating my next moves, I thought that I can put a 2x4 in the same location, then put the skid plate on, then put two wood screws through the skid plate to hold the 2x4 in place, and then I can jack directly on the skid plate where the 2x4 can transfer the load from the body to the jack pad. Then put jack stands under the ball joints.

[PeteKz]

BrakeL8: thanks for the response. I already lift it from the front using a 2x4 under the strong body channel that has the "U" welded on it. But if I put the skid plate on, then I have to lift it from the sides. However as I was laying under it contemplating my next moves, I thought that I can put a 2x4 in the same location, then put the skid plate on, then put two wood screws through the skid plate to hold the 2x4 in place, and then I can jack directly on the skid plate where the 2x4 can transfer the load from the body to the jack pad. Then put jack stands under the ball joints.

[Showdown]

That sounds like a terrible idea. Wood will hold ambient moisture and that’s the last thing that you want in an enclosed area pressing on your car. If you want to use the skid plate as a Jack point methinks you’d be better off fabricating and welding in some metal bridging. Some square tubing would be plenty.

[Locker537]

Does the front mounting point of the skid plate re-use one of the bolts on the front of the A-Arm?

I like the idea of this plate, but I wouldn't want to give up jacking up the car by the front via 2x4 either.

[PeteKz]

Locker, the skid plate mounts using the inner bolt on each front A-arm bracket, and the big bolts on the aluminum cross member. I'll reconsider wood, although I expect it to have a 1/8" or so gap to the body panel.

[PeteKz]

Update: Today I started installing the Rennline front skid plate on my 1973T. It's not a straight bolt-on because the T front bumper slightly interferes, so I have to remove the front bumper and do some minor customization to the skid plate. I knew it was an iffy fit when I bought it because I called Rennline and they only listed it for 1974 and later, but said that it should bolt on as long as my car has an aluminum front crossmember (mine does). But it looked close enough that I could deal with it. No biggie, and I'll post pics at several steps for anyone else who wants to try it on a longhood.

[tsuter]

Where are you driving? Off road? Or is the car so low that your fuel pump and tank has been damaged? What was the damage that requires this huge plate? I would think the front tires/fender clearance would be an issue before damaging the fuel pump....
I have red Rennline front tow hooks, they will hit and scrape way before the fuel tank.....but then I only drive on pavement with occasional parking lot speed humps.

[PeteKz]

Heh, heh—I like to hang with the Cayennes on local PCA “off road” drives. They aren’t really off road, just some dirt and gravel roads in between highway stretches. But I also live on a private road that is gravel and gets washed out and rutted. The skid plate is overkill, but I like the look.

[Balisong]

76S. Easy install. Good product. Happy.

[2.7RS]

Where do you guys live and drive... Afghanistan?

I've been driving 911s for 30 years pavement and gravel side roads. Never ever had the need to add an anchor in the front of my car.

[Locker537]

I think that skid plate would be nice on some rougher tracks as well.

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by 2.7RS

Where do you guys live and drive... Afghanistan?

I've been driving 911s for 30 years pavement and gravel side roads. Never ever had the need to add an anchor in the front of my car.

Some people feel better installing BLING BLING accessories to their cars. Specially expensive ones. Rennline has nice products and I don’t blame people for buying them.

Tony

[Balisong]

South Caroganistan