Aluminum skid and mid plate install
This product is solid and well constructed. I have ordered a number of products form V4X4 and have been well pleased with everything. I went with the aluminum because I am more of an overland sand and beach guy and not a hardcore rock wheeler. These are significantly lighter but very hefty, The front skid install was easy, and I am a 64 year old arthritic gear head. The mid-plate was a bit of challenge however as the 17mm bolts that feed through the cross member that hold the front of it in place were a real pain to complete. It entails dropping a nut through a hole in the top of the cross member and then threading the button head up through the bottom, and then , screwing the nit into the bolt. The issue is, room is incredibly limited for your fingers or any other tool to reach the nut through the top of the hole to provide appropriate pressure on the nut in order to get the bolt to catch. I tried a number of times to no avail. I finally decided to reverse the bolt-nut application and dropped the bolt down through the hole exposing the threads which allowed me to to fasten it up good. I then used a grinder to cut of the end of the exposed bolt. It was interesting to note that the install video online sort of glosses over this step. Now I know why. Also I considered purchasing the transfer skid plate but after watching the install video, it appears I must remove the mid-plate in order to fasten the from of the transfer skid plate to the cross member. And there's no way I'm doing that. But overall I am well satisfied.
Thanks for the feedback Joe. Yes, those bolts can be a tight squeeze. We do have some new nut plates that will make the installation easier, we'll have our tech support team reach out to you.
