98 GMC 4X4 1500 new to me. Changing the oil I see a "skid plate or air baffle" on the front of the frame. It is plastic and is held in place by 6 or 8 bolts. My 2 wd has idler arm mounts on the front part of the frame and I assume the 4X4 does as well...Does this "skid plate" need to be there? Will it hurt the truck to remove it permently? It's a PITA to remove it everytime I want to service the truck.

 

If you’re still needing an answer….

It depends on what you’re using the truck for. The shield helps prevent debris from getting into the engine bay.

If it’s a daily driver that stays on the pavement, removing it isn’t likely to matter.

If you drive gravel regularly and/or do any amount of off-road driving (even as basic as driving through fields), you should leave it in place. Tall grass and weeds can get caught by the belts or fan and cause damage.

If it has a steel or aluminum skid plate towards the rear, leave it in place as well. I recently had a customer that had the skid plate on their truck save the transmission from a large rock. The plate and rear transmission crossmember were both bent. Had the plate not been there, the transmission oil pan would’ve taken the hit and I’m reasonably certain the valve body would’ve also been destroyed.

 

Well it is my daily and the only 4x4 duty would be in a heavy snow so I gonna remove that plastic plate/baffel. I was correct in saying that there are idler arm mounts with grease fittings in them. I just hope they will take grease and will not need to be replaced as they look like the have never sen a grease gun. I use Lucas "Red and Tackey" but was out of it today. At this juncture a few more days won't make any difference. Thanks for the response and advise.

 

If it’s not taking grease, there is a tool that may help, but if it’s been long enough since any fresh grease has been pumped into it, the tool may not work. It’s called a grease zerk rejuvenator.

Also, if it’s primarily idler arm accessibility you want, Moog makes a grease zerk extension kit specifically for idler arms. The part# is K6714.