S10 Blazer Skid Plates: Where to start
 

I wanted to create an all encompassing thread on this subject, S-10 Blazer skid plates, as there is info everywhere online...this way it's a one stop shop.
I'll be posting different info, links, and pictures that I run across. Please feel free to add to it. (Tons of info in our very own site, btw.)

4 total plates....front/oil filter, oil pan, transfer case, and the gas tank.
Aluminum skid plates were from 1998 and older, carbon fiber skid plates were 1999 and newer.

You'll need a set of these to hang the oil pan..
http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/a...skidmounts.jpg
Thanks PJ5454302 for the pic.

I will post some more pics and such tonight. I'll compare the ZR2 plates to non ZR2 plates, and more about the different sized transfer case plates.
For example, here's what a ZR2 front skid looks like on a non ZR2 blazer..
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...5&d=1399939885
Because of the factory 2 inch lift with the ZR2s, there is a 2 inch+ gap, as shown in blazerforum member Badco's photo.

There is always the homemade route, like blazerforum's very own ABN31B did;
Skid Plate Project by Curtis Baker | Photobucket

To be continued..

Looking forward to the info here! Eventually I'll be hunting down a full set for my truck

Good call! Wasnt aware of the transfer case sizes, as well as the difference between the zr2 and none... I've also seen a couple of different stile gas tank shields. And notorious to me, the engine plate... good to know about those brakets!

I bet the gas tank skids will vary from 2dr to 4dr, the tanks are different shapes, I believe

2 doors look more like a civic tank lol, 4 doors look more like a pick up.

I'm wondering if theres a difference on the engine plates for zr2s and none. And/or if there are any that can be taken from a zr2. 2door and 4door? So many questions so many parts... I'll try and crawl under mine for some pics by the weekend... got friday off so itll at least be then.

I'll add some photos of mine for the sake of info and pics :D

Pulled these off a 4 door fleet model. Carbon fiber "ish" skids, non ZR2. Installed onto my 04 4 door LS

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n...r/KIMG0001.jpg



Front most skid. Direct bolt on in place of the flimsy original.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n...r/KIMG0003.jpg



Engine skid. Requires the extra brackets for the rear bolts mentioned in the first post, but otherwise is a direct bolt on.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n...r/KIMG0004.jpg



Transfercase skid. Direct bolt on.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n...r/KIMG0005.jpg



Gas tank skid, which unlike the others has less fiber material and is more or less just a very thick plastic. It as well, a direct bolt on.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n...r/KIMG0007.jpg

Following!

Here are some pics of the brackets I found ...you can see the difference between the ZR2 and regular. (Aside from being cleaner!)
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...cc79ec60e8.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...7311516ada.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...95f4542193.jpg

RPO Code for the skids is ZM5, the underbody shield package.

Here's some carbon fiber trans case plates. Can you spot the differences?
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...fe19efb093.jpg
Standard 3 button on the left, one off a ZR2 on the right. The right would also be found on a 4 button trans case, RPO NP8.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...ca0db4318c.jpg
As you can see, the ZR2 plate is deeper than the standard. This ZR2 would fit on both styles, but the regular would not fit on the bigger trans case.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...b972df8a4c.jpg
Part number for standard 3 button is 15038799. GMpartsgiant.com lists this working with RPO codes ZM5, ZM6, ZQ1, ZW7, Z83, & Z85.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...48aa8a6bb1.jpg
ZR2 part number is 15038800. Gmpartsgiant.com lists this only working with RPO codes ZM5 & ZR2.

By the way, DonL, I think GMPartsgiant has the last skid you're looking for... Part number 15978173. It says it doesn't fit a 99, but only cause it's aluminum I bet...they changed to CF in 99. It's on sale, might be something to look into.

Here is a holy grail site for this subject... From a long lost cousin to this site.
Crew Cab Skid Plates

Sweet, thanks for this. The tire carrier and skid set are the two things I'll be needing in the upcoming year to "complete" my Blazer.

Interesting thing I noticed about the oil pan/engine skid brackets...
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...fbb6f134f7.jpg
ZR2 brackets. If you look close, you can see a 'RH' and a 'LH' stamped into the back. Molded differently, also.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...4e60a0f145.jpg
The standard brackets are the same shape, with an 'N' on the back of one, and a 'Z' on the back of the other.

Nice - I will add my 1994 aluminium skid plates.

Yes, please, that would be awesome. My knowledge of 1st Gen skid plates is very minimal.

Lots of good info in this thread! Perfect timing, I'm cleaning up the hardware and brackets to my Kevlar composite ("carbon fiber") set for my 1999 4 door Jimmy. I'll check all the part numbers when I get home to add to this thread. I have 4 skids, all Kevlar composite:
Front skid - already installed
Oil pan skid - caked with grime, need to clean.
Transfer case skid - 15038799
Gas tank skid - 15715080

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...24f9ff8e41.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...73a795aec2.jpg

One question though, I have a bunch of large bolts the seller gave me but none of those smaller button head torx bolts that it seems some of you are using for the oil pan skid. Is that all factory hardware?

Mazatzal Jimmy, I was going to post up a link to LMC for those bolts....but I can't find them on there. They must be out of stock on all of the skid plate stuff....couldn't even find the exploded diagram of it.Weird.

Wow, well thanks for checking for me. Luckily a few of the exploded diagrams are on that S10 Crew Cab link... I guess it's time to buy a thread checker! I'll post up here an inventory of what I end up needing.

Sounds good.

I'll post up some info on the bolts that I have this weekend. Get some close ups, and what not.

Here is my go to place when I need part numbers. You can't buy anything from them, and with all of the options it can a bit of digging but it is pretty thorough.

Transfer case and shield parts (page #6 of 6): https://nemigaparts.com/cat_spares/e...t/04/ts04-596/
Front suspension and shield parts (page #2 of 2): https://nemigaparts.com/cat_spares/e...t/06/ts06-541/
Blazer parts in general: https://nemigaparts.com/cat_spares/epc/chevrolet/54s-t/

Here are my plates I pulled off of a 95 for my 99.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...6c0abb9e4d.jpg
Oil filter pan and transfer case for 3 button. Aluminum.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...fabdf85db6.jpg
Gas tank metal plate. Was grinded and painted before install.

I also picked up an oil pan plate today. Just need to figure out the brackets.

Don, I'll post those bracket measurements on this thread tonight.

Thank you kind sir! Your a scholar and a gentleman!

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...c92aba8f45.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...1e58dc2e91.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...f2b38b6ecc.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...671024e27d.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...0e70a033da.jpg
Don, you're handy enough that you could make angle iron or strapping work.

Is the metal gas-tank plate steel or aluminum?

So, has anyone tested or know of tests of the relative durability of the carbon-fiber shields versus the aluminum ones?

It is steel.... not sure if its factory or custom as I have yet to come across another one. But if fits like a stock one... I'm just happy to have a hard protector for the plastic tank...

Muchly appreciated! Will have to see what I can come up with. I'll post pics when I do fabricate something...

I just saw one this past weekend, on a 96 Jimmy. Very nice....might go back for it.

I have a full set of CF already, so not sure the wife will go for it. :icon_shrug:

I have not seen any tests, but what I have seen first hand....the aluminum hold up much better. Typical, being they are heavier and metal. The same hit that might crack or fracture a carbon fiber plate, would scratch/dent or bend an aluminum one.

If I remember correctly, I think blazen_red_4x4 posted a picture of his CF plate cracked after hitting a tree stump.

Safe to say, aluminum is probably preferred, but carbon fiber is better than nothing. :icon_neutral:

I cannot for the life of me seem to find it now... But I remember reading an article that the composite skids scored better in GM testing at their proving grounds vs the aluminum. The composite skids can flex and absorb smaller impacts that would dent an aluminum skid. If you're wheeling hard enough to bust a composite skid you probably should invest in steel lol :icon_twocents:

Thanks for the feedback. For now I installed the two of the front three I got from eshaw on my Blazer. I find myself looking for mods that will increase the truck's durability, not necessarily allow me to do more with it, just do the same with more peace of mind.

Yeah, I faintly remember reading that the composite's slide on rocks better.

I'm currently running them because they are so much lighter than the aluminum, with almost the same strength. For some reason, I think the 10lbs makes a difference. :icon_crackup:

I found some old threads on here and s10forum where a guy used to make and sell s-series steel skid plates. Wonder whatever happened to that guy..:icon_denk:

I've got a buddy with a welder, who has offered to fab me up whatever custom skids I want. When the tine comes (hopefully this year, I got too many blazer projects I want to do) I'm gonna pick up a 4'x8' sheet of 1/4" steel, and have some serious armor. I'll be sure to post pics and dimensions, of course

Sound awesome! If you need any measurements, let me know.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...20ad57070c.jpg
Front skid plate
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...f393b2e3b2.jpg
Engine Skid plate - forward is to the left
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...7d2167e6c5.jpg
Transmission case - forward is to the left.
Finally managed to take some rudimentary pics of my 1994 OEM equipped S10 Blazer 4x4.

It features 3 skid plates made of aluminium.
The first is between the bumper and the lower crossmember (below the radiator).
The second is under the engine Two bolts to the engine crossmember and two on the sides of the frame.
The third is under the transfer case and bolts to the transmission crossmember and the aft cross frame.

Thanks Error_401!

I actually saw an 86 S10 Pickup Sport edition at the salvage yard last weekend. The front skid was missing, but the other two were there. Off topic, the interior was very cool.... Bucket seats and door panels adorned with the 'Sport Edition' insignia. I will snap some pics if it's still there.

What year is your rig?

I've been looking for a gas tank skid for my 2000 4-door with no luck. I'm probably going to end up making one out of either steel or aluminum.

I have a composite one I have yet to put on still...lol
Rarely do you find the aluminum ones in decent shape. I have seen a few, but they were so rusted, i didn't even try to remove.

Yeah, I doubt I'll be able to find one. And if I make one, it will be stronger than the factory one, anyway. The plastic tank just looks so vulnerable now. :(