Shields

[Cajun]

Will the shields, skid plates, used on a ZR-2 work on our trucks? I found a ZR-2 at my uncles shop that will be scraped due to an electrical fire and may be able to get some parts off of it.

Thanks for your help!

[killian96ss]

The front shield definitely won't work, however the other 2 might fit ok.

Steve

[F9K9]

Will the shields, skid plates, used on a ZR-2 work on our trucks? ...............!

Do I sense a desire for some off road adventure from our resident undisputed king of color coordination?





Just J/K, hope I am right right!

You da' man, Craig

[Cajun]

I do like the Yellow!

Trails to off the beaten path trout streams around here tend to be rocky and construction job sites are full of hazzards to our trucks naked underbellies. I don't intent to get all twisted up in my dd. I've been trying to assemble a complete set of shields for a while now. I found a new in the box set from a dealership on line about a year ago but didn't have the cash. I searched again recently but hit dead ends everywhere I looked. The part number is discontinued and all inventory is gone.

That being said, which S-series vehicles and what year models should I be searching salvage yards for. With the price of scrap metal rising two of the local salvage yards have unloaded all of their inventory and shut down.

[HenryJ]

Shields / skidplates what works and what doesn't
Used skidplates what to look for?

You can use the aluminum ones , or the composite (fiberglasslike) shields.



The front steering shield needs to have the oil door , for access to the oil filter.



I'm not sure what year they re-located it. My guess would be '94-up S-series. The ZR2 front steering shield will not work as it is taller and shaped differently.



Left is Non-ZR2 and the right is a RPO ZR2 front steering shield.
All the shields that fit look just like the stock plastic shield.The bolts for the stock plastic shield will work fine.

The front axle shield (engine shield) and brackets: '90-'9? have a rectangular hole for the oil drain plug on the old steel pans and require notching the rear, for our relocated drain plug. But it does fit. '98-up have the rear notch and no hole.



You will also need the two rear mounting brackets w/ at least one of the axle mount bolts and four mushroom headed torx bolts, w/ plastic isolators and spring washers. Any S-series 4x4 w/4.3L will work. The composite shield is about an inch thick.

The transfer case shield: I'm not sure all the years here, but '98-up for sure. The aluminum shield is shallower than the composite shield allowing about an inch more ground clearance. The autotrac transfercase requires a deeper sump as does the ZR2. Either will fit ours, but they hang down lower.



The one on the left is off of a RPO ZR2 and the one on the right off of a Non-ZR2.
Ours fits pretty tight and the transfercase is tucked up higher than the rest. You will need the three self tapping screws w/washers for the back mount.



For those early models with a steel fuel tank there is a fuel tank shield: '84-up will work with the correct front bracket and modification of the support brace. It is a little tight on the rear tank strap , but works. '96-up is better because of the relief they added for the fuel tank strap. You will also need five self tapping screws for the frame attachments, one long bolt and nut to mount through the crossmember, two bolts and one nut for the front bracket and of course the front bar brace. '84-up S-series ex-cab pickup.
I have seen composite fuel tank shields on some Blazers. I don't know if or what they might fit. It would be fun to try one.

If you are searching the wrecking yards, use the measurement from the trans mount holes to the rear mounting holes, as a reference for finding the right transfer case shield.

So I guess if the salvage yard has a '94-up S-series 4x4 it would be worth checking for all the shields. Most of the ones in my area do not inventory shields, so a phone call won't due. It requires a trip to the yard.

[Cajun]

WOW! Thanks for the comprehensive information.

I am now armed, with information, and dangeruous!

[F9K9]

If, you strike out, Craig there is always LMCTruck.com. The listed dealer price for an aluminum TC shield is $200 and they have them for $160.