V6 OIL PAN SKID PLATE

In the 10+ years that I have owned my truck it has taken a wide variety of abuse. During a routine oil change about 2 years ago I was rudely awakened to the condition of my unprotected oil pan. Had a nice big dent in it that was just short of being a puncture. Changing out an oil pan is a fairly labor intensive job so I decided to install a little more protection (a piece of gum on it would have been more protection than what is provided from the factory). This past summer I designed, built and installed a skid plate that should offer quite a bit more protection. Of note, this skid plate was designed around an 89 D21 V6. Slight modifications may be needed to adapt to a 4 cylinder engine (may need to relocate the cut-out for oil drain plug access etc).
Difficulty = varies on equipment and personal skill level

• drill + drill bits
• something to cut thick metal
• something to bend thick metal
• paint (optional)

• I know that the drawing says that it is drawn to 1/2 scale, obviously it is not.
• The view of this layout would be from the bottom, as if you were underneath your vehicle looking up at it (cut out for oil drain plug should be on the right/passanger side).
• The far right rear mounting point may need some spacers as this cross member in not flat all the way across.
• I would highly recommend that you first construct a cardboard scale template and use this to establish the correct mounting points and to locate bend angles etc. Doing this will answer a lot of questions about mounting etc.
• If you do construct one of your own I would be very interested in knowing how it worked out for you. Also, if someone builds one for a 4 cylinder I would like to know how or if it needed to be modified to fit this application.

1. Obtain a piece of steel that is at least 10" x 13" x 3/16" thick. If larger, then cut to those dimensions (it can, of course, be as thick as you want).
2. Cut steel plate to the dimensions listed in the plans.
3. Cut notch for drail plug following the dimensions in the plans.
4. Make bends at the indicated locations so that the plate can fit snugly against the existing crossmembers. Once again, it is best to make a cardboard template first so that you can mark the locations of these bends and then transfer them to the steel plate.
5. Once done, clamp or hold the plate in the location you want.
6. Drill holes for the mounting bolts through the existing crossmembers. Be sure to check for any obstructions (fuel lines, wires, etc) on the backside of any location you plan on drilling.
7. Find the lowest point and drill holes in the plate to allow for drainage. Recommended size is 3/8" or larger.
8. Bend in slightly the outermost points of the notch that you created for the oil drain plug, as indicated in the plans (this is to prevent something from snagging on this point).
9. Also, do this a few inches behind the notch at an angle, so that the plate contacts the crossmember at this point (see plans for exact location).
10. (optional) Remove plate and paint it whatever color you desire .
11. Secure the plate with whatever size bolts you drilled the holes for.

SOME PHOTOS OF THE FINISHED PRODUCT

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