[DurmaxPowderHound]

An excursion last weekend up a gravely and rutty fire road tore up the stock front underbody shield on my 2016 Z71. Picture below.

I'm a bit baffled but not super shocked that GM doesn't put a more durable underbody shield on a Z71. Regardless, I'm intending on getting a more durable off road oriented replacement. I did find what seems to be a good replacement on chevyparts.com that appears to be a ZR2 derived part that will work for my truck. Link:

2016 Colorado Under Body Shield, Front, Skid Plates 84731654

Add some piece of mind and underbody protection to your Colorado with this stout bolton Chevrolet Accessory Front Under Body Shield Skid Plate This Chevrolet Performance Front Under Body Shield was originally developed for the ZR2 for greater durability in offroad conditions This thick 5000...

www.shopchevyparts.com

I'm curious if anybody has used the above part and can provide any kind of feedback on it. I'm also open to any good aftermarket sources. Keep in mind that my truck is mostly stock and I don't go hardcore off roading with it. That said, I do use it for off the beaten path recreation and overlanding, so I want something that will withstand those kinds of conditions, and be a relatively simple bolt on part.

 

[bigoilbob]

An excursion last weekend up a gravely and rutty fire road tore up the stock front underbody shield on my 2016 Z71. Picture below.

View attachment 8816

I'm a bit baffled but not super shocked that GM doesn't put a more durable underbody shield on a Z71. Regardless, I'm intending on getting a more durable off road oriented replacement. I did find what seems to be a good replacement on chevyparts.com that appears to be a ZR2 derived part that will work for my truck. Link:

2016 Colorado Under Body Shield, Front, Skid Plates 84731654

Add some piece of mind and underbody protection to your Colorado with this stout bolton Chevrolet Accessory Front Under Body Shield Skid Plate This Chevrolet Performance Front Under Body Shield was originally developed for the ZR2 for greater durability in offroad conditions This thick 5000...

www.shopchevyparts.com

I'm curious if anybody has used the above part and can provide any kind of feedback on it. I'm also open to any good aftermarket sources. Keep in mind that my truck is mostly stock and I don't go hardcore off roading with it. That said, I do use it for off the beaten path recreation and overlanding, so I want something that will withstand those kinds of conditions, and be a relatively simple bolt on part.

You piqued my interest, and I looked for the 2018 equivalent. Certainly beats the stocker, which seems to come from one of those prelim vehicle sculptures they used to make for concept previews. Probably a duh question, but could I keep my front air dam with it?

 

[JDB]

If youre referring to the stock plastic splash guard - yeah, just replace it with a metal one. Search the ColoradoFans forum - Plenty of convos discussing aftermarket options. I’m happy with the aluminum one i got from supermodulation (search ebay) a couple years ago. But plenty of options today.

 

[bigoilbob]

Thx JDB, I'll be doing just that....

 

[Streamintrip]

GM has front and mid skid plates which replace the OEM plastic plate. I have had them since the day I bought my truck, and they are more than adequate for my use off road on trail head, launching spot and timber trails I go on. Not adequate for rock climbing, though.

 

[DeeK]

Hi Stremanintrip, you mind posting what the GM part numbers are for the skid plates? I've talked to two dealers who said they don't sell anything other than the ones that came on the truck.

 

[Streamintrip]

What year/model Colorado do you have? If yours is newer than mine, 2018, GM may have upgraded the skid plates to the 2 aluminium front & mid plates I have to replace the OEM plastic plate.

 

[Streamintrip]

What year/model Colorado do you have? If yours is newer than mine, 2018, GM may have upgraded the skid plates to the 2 aluminium front & mid plates I have to replace the OEM plastic plate.

The part #s are 84352135 & 84352136.

 

[DeeK]

The part #s are 84352135 & 84352136.

Mine's a 2017. Those numbers say they won't work on my year and the numbers I find are just replacements of the original equipment. Thanks though.

 

[Streamintrip]

I wonder if my part #s are just for diesels? If you have a gasser with the plastic plate, surely there must be GM aluminum plates as a replacement part.

Good luck and Happy 4th! Sorry I couldn't be more help.

 

[DeeK]

dunno, mine's a diesel too. anyway, parts guys at two different dealerships couldn't find anything. i'd use an aftermarket but, for one thing, i worry about closing off the airflow which the plastic splash guard clearly is intended to allow. My tranny already runs hotter than I'd prefer. Thanks!

 

[Streamintrip]

dunno, mine's a diesel too. anyway, parts guys at two different dealerships couldn't find anything. i'd use an aftermarket but, for one thing, i worry about closing off the airflow which the plastic splash guard clearly is intended to allow. My tranny already runs hotter than I'd prefer. Thanks!

Well, I don't have any transmission temp issues, but when I was volunteering at a COE lake earlier this year, I found an excellent GM Parts Mgr who helped me source a GM front lift kit. His dealership is closed today, but I suggest you call Fred at
(864) 229-2521 with your VIN to see if he can help you.
I don't understand why the part #s I gave you don't fit your truck UNLESS yours isn't a Z71, which may have some front end differences which preclude 'my' skid plates.

 

[DeeK]

Well, I don't have any transmission temp issues, but when I was volunteering at a COE lake earlier this year, I found an excellent GM Parts Mgr who helped me source a GM front lift kit. His dealership is closed today, but I suggest you call Fred at
(864) 229-2521 with your VIN to see if he can help you.
I don't understand why the part #s I gave you don't fit your truck UNLESS yours isn't a Z71, which may have some front end differences which preclude 'my' skid plates.

thanks for the tip, i'll do that. the dealerships nearby also told me there is no front lift or leveling kit for that vehicle.

 

[Streamintrip]

The 1" GM front lift kit part # is 84608731. The MSRP is $150 and GM's flat rate install is 2.6 hrs. If you decide to get this, no DIY unless you have a spring compressor, don't let the Service Department charge you more, no matter what excuse they give. Mine was $384.00 total.
A front end alignment is recommended, which I had done elsewhere because I have a Firestone store lifetime alignment contract. My toe was a bit out, but it had been 1,200 mi since the last alignment so I don't know if the kit was to blame.
My truck is now dead level.

 

[Jhhoward]

An excursion last weekend up a gravely and rutty fire road tore up the stock front underbody shield on my 2016 Z71. Picture below.

View attachment 8816

I'm a bit baffled but not super shocked that GM doesn't put a more durable underbody shield on a Z71. Regardless, I'm intending on getting a more durable off road oriented replacement. I did find what seems to be a good replacement on chevyparts.com that appears to be a ZR2 derived part that will work for my truck. Link:

2016 Colorado Under Body Shield, Front, Skid Plates 84731654

Add some piece of mind and underbody protection to your Colorado with this stout bolton Chevrolet Accessory Front Under Body Shield Skid Plate This Chevrolet Performance Front Under Body Shield was originally developed for the ZR2 for greater durability in offroad conditions This thick 5000...

www.shopchevyparts.com

I'm curious if anybody has used the above part and can provide any kind of feedback on it. I'm also open to any good aftermarket sources. Keep in mind that my truck is mostly stock and I don't go hardcore off roading with it. That said, I do use it for off the beaten path recreation and overlanding, so I want something that will withstand those kinds of conditions, and be a relatively simple bolt on part.

Wanted to circle back and see what you ended up doing. I have a 2016 Z71 that the same piece cracked, so was just curious if you went with that part you first posted or something different. Thanks!

 

[bigoilbob]

Wanted to circle back and see what you ended up doing. I have a 2016 Z71 that the same piece cracked, so was just curious if you went with that part you first posted or something different. Thanks!

I replaced mine, with that I think. Sorry, time flies. No problems since, ~12000 miles later, but thx 4 asking. I am changing oil tomorrow and need to check the bolts at that time.

 

[DurmaxPowderHound]

Wanted to circle back and see what you ended up doing. I have a 2016 Z71 that the same piece cracked, so was just curious if you went with that part you first posted or something different. Thanks!

@Jhhoward I installed the underbody shield from the link above. It bolted right in and works great. As others have said, they might not hold up on hard core off road situations, but I don't do that with my truck, so I'm personally not concerned.