RallyArmor Alumimum Skid Plate Install

kalaur · 11-18-2007, 11:30 AM

Hey peeps, just got my RallyArmor skid plate in the mail today and will be installing it. Figured I could do a quick write up, as much of this applies to changing your oil as well. I purchased this plate for added protection and because I hate those little plastic clips on the stock plate, and figured this would be much easier to install/remove when changing the oil.

Tools needed:
12mm long socket
13mm long socket
Ratchet
Flat bladed screwdriver
Beer

This install should take less than 30 minutes.

Here's a few pics of the RallyArmor plate.

Here you can really see how thick this plate is, when I saw "3/16 Alumimum" on their site I wasn't really expecting this!

Installing the new skidplate
First step is to block your rear wheels so your car can't roll out your garage while you complete the install. I use wheel chocks.

Next, you need to jack up the front end of your car and get it on some jack stands. This is where I place the jack stands on the front, it's a piece of the subframe. You can see this thread on jacking your car up - http://www.iwsti.com/forums/how-inst...ackstands.html

Here's another pic I stole to show where I also put the jack stands.

After your car is up on stands, you need to remove the old skidplate. This pic is from the front looking back, these are the rearmost two bolts that need to be removed.

Here's the right side (from the front) of the old plate right behind the bumper, another bolt and clip. There is a bolt and clip on the other side of the front of the plate, as well as one bolt in the middle of the front of the plate.

Here is the clip on the rear of the plate, on the right side by the wheel.

Here's how to remove those clips. First clean off any grime around the clip to make it easier to remove.

Place flat head screwdriver as shown,

Twist the screwdriver so the head of the clip pops out.

Next pry the base of the clip from the skidplate.

After you have removed all 4 clips, and all 5 bolts, slide the old plate slightly to the rear and set it aside.

Take the hardware off the new plate.

Make sure you have 5 bolts and 5 washers.

Hold the new plate under your car, and get a few bolts started. I use my knees to hold the plate while I got the bolts on the front and rear started.

Get the other bolts threaded on the new plate.

Snug up all 5 of the bolts.

Now, to get your car off the jack stands you have to jack in a different place, as this new skidplate covers much more of the car, it covers the front jacking point of the car. I place the jack just in front of the jackstands and do one side at a time.
Once your car is off the stands, remove the wheel chocks and enjoy the new plate!!

Pitcherman · 11-18-2007, 01:50 PM

You can't jack from under the plate where the front jack point is?

kalaur · 11-18-2007, 09:12 PM

No, the new plate is so long that it now covers that up. Yes it makes it a bit tougher to get the front end of the car upbut to me its not that big of a deal ;-)

flytojungho · 11-20-2007, 12:22 PM

now.. that's dumb! why would they design the thing so that it covers the front jacking point?

flytojungho · 11-20-2007, 12:24 PM

btw, isn't it sorta dangerous trying to put front end on the jack stand now? you have to jack up one side, load it on jackstand, then jack the other side?

**Rallyarmor** · 11-20-2007, 12:55 PM

Quote:

now.. that's dumb! why would they design the thing so that it covers the front jacking point?

Hi Flyto, Only the center plate is covered as is required since it has the two rear thread inserts as its rear mounting point(which many of our customers have reported still using , simply over the plate),

unless of course if you are using ramps as shown:

As per our FAQ here is a picture of the coverage, you can clearly see that the subframe area is still accessible (as per the OPs preferred area of stand placement) :

Quote:

Originally Posted by flytojungho

btw, isn't it sorta dangerous trying to put front end on the jack stand now? you have to jack up one side, load it on jackstand, then jack the other side?

Here is a pic of a vehicle with the skidplate still installed, on jackstands:

kalaur nice write up! Enjoy the protection.

Pitcherman · 11-21-2007, 01:22 PM

I still don't think anyone has answered my question, couldn't you just placd the jack on the skid plate at teh point where it mounts in the rear and jack up the car?

Place I'm talking about circled in yellow.

**Rallyarmor** · 11-21-2007, 04:29 PM

Yes as long as your confirm that it is over the jacking plate. Depending on your type of your jack, it may simply mar or scratch the plate a little. jacking it up on the plate itself (outside the yellow circle) is not advised as there is no supporting area behind it. Extra care should always be taken.

**Rallyarmor** · 11-21-2007, 04:35 PM

To add, there are a variety of jacks that spread the pressure over a wider area of lift as opposed to the smaller "floor jacks" this is also reccomended, one can usually utilize the area Kaluar used to bring his vehicle back down (by the jack stands) if this works for their purposes.

kalaur · 11-23-2007, 10:49 AM

I have not tried jacking the car by the rear mounting bolts yet, as my jack is a POS. Once I purchase a better jack, I will try placing something on the jack to not marr/scratch the plate and give it a go.
Even though it does cover this front jacking point, if you have to jack one side of the car then the other I think its still worth it. I do not feel that it is very dangerous having to load one side of the car on the stand then the other. This skid plate should keep the underside of the engine cleaner as there are no holes for muddy water/dirt to get up there (other than around the sides, but it can't splash up as much) and will DEFINITELY offer more protection in the event you encounter some obstacle unexpectedly ;-)

**Rallyarmor** · 11-23-2007, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kalaur

I have not tried jacking the car by the rear mounting bolts yet, as my jack is a POS. Once I purchase a better jack, I will try placing something on the jack to not marr/scratch the plate and give it a go.
Even though it does cover this front jacking point, if you have to jack one side of the car then the other I think its still worth it. I do not feel that it is very dangerous having to load one side of the car on the stand then the other. This skid plate should keep the underside of the engine cleaner as there are no holes for muddy water/dirt to get up there (other than around the sides, but it can't splash up as much) and will DEFINITELY offer more protection in the event you encounter some obstacle unexpectedly ;-)

Depending on the type of jack, sometimes something as simple as a hockey puck helps distribute the weight without marring (also a relatively cheap insert for your jack)

We specifically do not include holes in our plate for the reasons you mention. Often times doing this provides an area for rocks/debris to get into that area (not ideal)

SiR-ed8 · 11-23-2007, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kalaur

I have not tried jacking the car by the rear mounting bolts yet, as my jack is a POS. Once I purchase a better jack, I will try placing something on the jack to not marr/scratch the plate and give it a go.
Even though it does cover this front jacking point, if you have to jack one side of the car then the other I think its still worth it. I do not feel that it is very dangerous having to load one side of the car on the stand then the other. This skid plate should keep the underside of the engine cleaner as there are no holes for muddy water/dirt to get up there (other than around the sides, but it can't splash up as much) and will DEFINITELY offer more protection in the event you encounter some obstacle unexpectedly ;-)

I bought an Arcan jack from Costco at $99 ( reg price ). IT has protective padding so when you jack up car it doesn't scratch anything.

btw OP nice write up. With that said, now i'm a little bit skeptical jacking up car with skidplate like that. As it stands, I have to get plywood so i could drive my car/bro's over it and proceed to jack it up. I might invest in that ramp if I decide to purchase the skidplate in future.

Pitcherman · 11-24-2007, 07:19 PM

Ok cool that makes this a little more appealing being able to jack the car with it on. I do find it humorous though that people are worried about scratching a skid plate .

SiR-ed8 · 11-24-2007, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pitcherman

Ok cool that makes this a little more appealing being able to jack the car with it on. I do find it humorous though that people are worried about scratching a skid plate .

Hardparkers

Reason why i haven't gotten it yet is because I'm worried about the plate caving in. I don't want to have to jack it from support beam.

11-18-2007, 11:30 AM	#1
kalaur Lurker Car: 06 White STI Location: Colorado Posts: 5 Join Date: Nov 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	RallyArmor Alumimum Skid Plate Install Hey peeps, just got my RallyArmor skid plate in the mail today and will be installing it. Figured I could do a quick write up, as much of this applies to changing your oil as well. I purchased this plate for added protection and because I hate those little plastic clips on the stock plate, and figured this would be much easier to install/remove when changing the oil. Tools needed: 12mm long socket 13mm long socket Ratchet Flat bladed screwdriver Beer This install should take less than 30 minutes. Here's a few pics of the RallyArmor plate. Here you can really see how thick this plate is, when I saw "3/16 Alumimum" on their site I wasn't really expecting this! Installing the new skidplate First step is to block your rear wheels so your car can't roll out your garage while you complete the install. I use wheel chocks. Next, you need to jack up the front end of your car and get it on some jack stands. This is where I place the jack stands on the front, it's a piece of the subframe. You can see this thread on jacking your car up - http://www.iwsti.com/forums/how-inst...ackstands.html Here's another pic I stole to show where I also put the jack stands. After your car is up on stands, you need to remove the old skidplate. This pic is from the front looking back, these are the rearmost two bolts that need to be removed. Here's the right side (from the front) of the old plate right behind the bumper, another bolt and clip. There is a bolt and clip on the other side of the front of the plate, as well as one bolt in the middle of the front of the plate. Here is the clip on the rear of the plate, on the right side by the wheel. Here's how to remove those clips. First clean off any grime around the clip to make it easier to remove. Place flat head screwdriver as shown, Twist the screwdriver so the head of the clip pops out. Next pry the base of the clip from the skidplate. After you have removed all 4 clips, and all 5 bolts, slide the old plate slightly to the rear and set it aside. Take the hardware off the new plate. Make sure you have 5 bolts and 5 washers. Hold the new plate under your car, and get a few bolts started. I use my knees to hold the plate while I got the bolts on the front and rear started. Get the other bolts threaded on the new plate. Snug up all 5 of the bolts. Now, to get your car off the jack stands you have to jack in a different place, as this new skidplate covers much more of the car, it covers the front jacking point of the car. I place the jack just in front of the jackstands and do one side at a time. Once your car is off the stands, remove the wheel chocks and enjoy the new plate!! This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

11-18-2007, 01:50 PM	#2
Pitcherman Village Idiot Car: 04 JVP STi Fav Mod: Blitz NUR Spec R Location: B.F.E, Texas Posts: 7,952 Join Date: Apr 2004 Trader Rating: (3)	Re: RallyArmor Alumimum Skid Plate Install You can't jack from under the plate where the front jack point is?

11-18-2007, 09:12 PM	#3
kalaur Lurker Car: 06 White STI Location: Colorado Posts: 5 Join Date: Nov 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: RallyArmor Alumimum Skid Plate Install No, the new plate is so long that it now covers that up. Yes it makes it a bit tougher to get the front end of the car upbut to me its not that big of a deal ;-)

11-20-2007, 12:22 PM	#4
flytojungho Spec C Club Car: 06 STI Fav Mod: Prodrive oval tip Location: carmel indiana Posts: 1,276 Join Date: Mar 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: RallyArmor Alumimum Skid Plate Install now.. that's dumb! why would they design the thing so that it covers the front jacking point?

11-20-2007, 12:24 PM	#5
flytojungho Spec C Club Car: 06 STI Fav Mod: Prodrive oval tip Location: carmel indiana Posts: 1,276 Join Date: Mar 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: RallyArmor Alumimum Skid Plate Install btw, isn't it sorta dangerous trying to put front end on the jack stand now? you have to jack up one side, load it on jackstand, then jack the other side?

11-21-2007, 01:22 PM	#7
Pitcherman Village Idiot Car: 04 JVP STi Fav Mod: Blitz NUR Spec R Location: B.F.E, Texas Posts: 7,952 Join Date: Apr 2004 Trader Rating: (3)	Re: RallyArmor Alumimum Skid Plate Install I still don't think anyone has answered my question, couldn't you just placd the jack on the skid plate at teh point where it mounts in the rear and jack up the car? Place I'm talking about circled in yellow.

11-21-2007, 04:29 PM	#8
Rallyarmor Authorized Manufacturer Car: 99 Impreza WRX Posts: 239 Join Date: Jan 2004 Trader Rating: (3)	Re: RallyArmor Alumimum Skid Plate Install Yes as long as your confirm that it is over the jacking plate. Depending on your type of your jack, it may simply mar or scratch the plate a little. jacking it up on the plate itself (outside the yellow circle) is not advised as there is no supporting area behind it. Extra care should always be taken.

11-21-2007, 04:35 PM	#9
Rallyarmor Authorized Manufacturer Car: 99 Impreza WRX Posts: 239 Join Date: Jan 2004 Trader Rating: (3)	Re: RallyArmor Alumimum Skid Plate Install To add, there are a variety of jacks that spread the pressure over a wider area of lift as opposed to the smaller "floor jacks" this is also reccomended, one can usually utilize the area Kaluar used to bring his vehicle back down (by the jack stands) if this works for their purposes.

11-23-2007, 10:49 AM	#10
kalaur Lurker Car: 06 White STI Location: Colorado Posts: 5 Join Date: Nov 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: RallyArmor Alumimum Skid Plate Install I have not tried jacking the car by the rear mounting bolts yet, as my jack is a POS. Once I purchase a better jack, I will try placing something on the jack to not marr/scratch the plate and give it a go. Even though it does cover this front jacking point, if you have to jack one side of the car then the other I think its still worth it. I do not feel that it is very dangerous having to load one side of the car on the stand then the other. This skid plate should keep the underside of the engine cleaner as there are no holes for muddy water/dirt to get up there (other than around the sides, but it can't splash up as much) and will DEFINITELY offer more protection in the event you encounter some obstacle unexpectedly ;-)

11-24-2007, 07:19 PM	#13
Pitcherman Village Idiot Car: 04 JVP STi Fav Mod: Blitz NUR Spec R Location: B.F.E, Texas Posts: 7,952 Join Date: Apr 2004 Trader Rating: (3)	Re: RallyArmor Alumimum Skid Plate Install Ok cool that makes this a little more appealing being able to jack the car with it on. I do find it humorous though that people are worried about scratching a skid plate .