Skid Plate...who has added it to their Apex?

[CaptCaper]

which skid plate OEM or Skinz? I installed an OEM I got used. No hardware. I bought aluminum rivnuts of a longer length recommended by an engineer here to hold fast. I also made the holes in the skid plate slightly larger to ease install. I used longer SS bolts to make it easier to install as well. Now when I have to drop the back end or whole plate for oil changes,etc. it's easy to put back,etc. Many use welnuts but the Rivnuts I used hold fast and true. I even had to put one in the frame were I screwed up a mounting bolt for the headlight mount. I made a home made rivnut tool I copied from the web that works fine.

 

[cmharcou]

Installed mine 2 days ago. Used (4) 1/4"-20 x 3/4" well nuts and (4) 1/4"-20 x 1.25" stainless steel button head
(lower profile) cap screws & washers. Also used collar stops on drill bits to prevent drilling too deep.
All fasteners and stops came from local Lowe's store. The whole install went fast and smooth.
Just drill the rivets out with a 1/4" bit. Then drill final holes to 31/64" (just under 1/2")
and you will get a snug fit when the well nuts are inserted. For the 2 bolts on the "nose" section of skid plate, just
replace factory bolts with the 2 longer metric bolts that come with the install kit. The rest of the kit will not be used.

Tip: If you have difficulty inserting a well nut, thread a bolt into it, lightly tap it into place with a hammer, then remove bolt.


How "well nuts" work...

I just wanted to thank you for your post. this is exactly how I installed mine today with well nuts. That is the best way to do it. The only thing I had to do was drill out the rivets bigger than the drill bit you recommended. The well nuts I got from lowes were very thick. I took a grinder to the well nut and kinda tapered the edge of it to get it started then screwed the bolt in and tapped them into place. Very tight and snug fit. I messed up 1 of the well nuts working on it and had to go back to a local hardware store to get a replacement and they had the same 1/4 20 well nut but the rubber was much thinner than the well nuts I got at lowes. Therefore I now know why your 1/2 drill but worked and I had to use one a couple sizes bigger. Thanks again and thanks for the great post.

 

[MAINEiak]

cmharcou...

Your welcome. Glad my post was helpful. Doesn't seem right to take all this good info from the forum, and not give something back. Merry Christmas!

 

[Bob Miller]

When you do the install of a Skid Plate and you tip the sled up on its side. Is there any difference between tipping it up one way or the other?

 

[ranger1]

When you do the install of a Skid Plate and you tip the sled up on its side. Is there any difference between tipping it up one way or the other?

I just propped the sled up on milk crates (one under each ski) & worked from under, lots of room.

 

[Bob Miller]

When you do the install of a Skid Plate and you tip the sled up on its side. Is there any difference between tipping it up one way or the other?

I just propped the sled up on milk crates (one under each ski) & worked from under, lots of room.

Still wondering about tipping it on it's side and which side to tip it up on if it matters?

 

[Viper_Dave]

Towards the oil tank and you'll be fine.

 

[Bob Miller]

Towards the oil tank and you'll be fine.

Meaning Brake Lever up, Throttle down?

 

[Viper_Dave]

Yes.

 

[Bob Miller]

 

[apeddigrew]

07VL skid plate install

Are there any pics of the installation available

 

[BOUNTYHUNTER]

Re: 07VL skid plate install

Are there any pics of the installation available

YEP...Lots of guys mount them on their sleds......look in the 4 Stroke Garage as you will see them being put on