Yep, the factory skid plates are weak, but they're much stronger than the case itself. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I've got factory aluminum skidplates on my S-Jimmy that have been mercilessly flogged. They show plenty of battle scars, but because they are properly supported, they haven't deformed too badly. The skid plates that GM used on their big trucks are only supported at one end. Kind of a stupid design... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif