Trooper Skid Plate Install -- Pictures and Questions

[Moncha]

Hi Grant!!!

Ok, I don't want to jack this thread but would like maybe to expand it... After all these years, I didn't know all of those plates were available for a Trooper. Does anyone have a parts list for a Trooper where we would be able to get the part numbers and know where the placement would be so as to make it easier to get what you want?

Back on the topic at hand, I don't need the ones you have left over but do want the ones I don't have (shown in my pic in red). I've got to search through and see if I can figure it all out. Just how far does the lower right plate hang down?

Good to see you on Grant

[Ldub]

Just how far does the lower right plate hang down?

Good to see you on Grant

Too far IMO...the part that bolts to the frame, closest to the R/F tire, is the weak point that collapses when massaged by rocks.(though a couple of gussets, welded to the back side might help)
A belly pan, like Tone sold at one time, is better protection, though more ex$pensive.

On the other hand...I've seen You & Ed drive Boss...
And at the risk of sounding like I'm smoochin' butt.....-..

I've seen the lines you pick...

I've seen "The Finesse"...

You need them a lot less than most.........

[Grant Eaton]

I attached one more pic that helps show how far it hangs down. Not an ideal shot but I'm too lazy to go down and shoot another one.

I would say it hangs down about 6" -- enough that at first I thought it was too low, but ultimately the shop manager and I decided it was useful and gave plenty of "crush zone" protection to bend before it made contact with the transmission case.

I haven't been active on the board in a long time since I bought my house and have been tied up with projects and living in France for 6 months and England for one month from 2007-2008. My VX fell into disrepair for several years, with a broken stereo that smelled of burning plastic, non-working ABS, ruined HID ballast, and miscellaneous issues like that. But lately I have given it renewed attention and replaced the HID headlights with new ballasts; added a new Kenwood stereo head-unit with iPod, GPS, and ICE amp hidden behind a rear quarter panel (thus negating the need for Tone's trunk box); all LED lights; fixed ABS; new exhaust; dual tail-pipe; etc. It's starting to be its old self again. A little more work and tuning and it'll be perfect again.

In other news, I also bought a used 2007 Mercedes SLK55 AMG in July 2008 and have used that as my primary driving car. It was fun to drive a 385 HP 7-speed hard-top convertible with a 5.1s 0-60 time (175mph speed-governed). However, being 6'3" the car is not all that comfortable and the passenger side is smaller than the driver side in terms of leg room by quite a bit -- making the car worse for long road trips. I'm going to sell that and use the VX as my primary car again. I prefer the high-up ride of the VehiCROSS and the ground clearance on the SLK is too short for a state with uneven roads and bad pavement (like Washington). The SLK just wasn't me; SUVs are. I just needed to spend another year with another car to figure that out. (My only other cars were an Isuzu Amigo and '72 Chevy Chevelle.)