Cats new heavy duty skid plate (don't fit worth a crap)

[Destroyer]

I tried to install cats new heavy duty skid plate on my 2010 crossfire and it would not fit worth a ****.

If you line the front up the back holes are out by over 1/2". and visa versa.

anyone else have trouble with them? Maybe I just got a crappy one.

 

[BEARTOOTHBLACKCAT]

mine fit fine maybe mines not the hd

 

[ripsass]

Maybe it's made by the same A-holes that made the hand guard mounts I just got. POS

 

[MCIVER]

your rite the hd skid plates need to have new holes drilled, but they fit great and have lots of protection.

 

[catmechanic]

i just bought one. they look sweet. one word of advice. start in the back. when you get about half way, put a jack and a 2x4 across the center. this should flatten it out and give you the extra length so the holes in the front line up.

haven't done it yet, but thats what i was told.

 

[polarisfornow]

x2^^^^^^ thats pretty close to what i did to mine also. makes for a really nice snug fit.

 

[Rprecision]

No your not alone.

I ended up fitting it like three times to get it right. I finally decided to work from the exchanger forward then come back and make the sides and back fit.

Not really that impressed with the fit. All and all it was pretty good, ours was probably made on a friday at 5pm.

I got it to fit with a few redrilled holes

 

[Deanearl]

I just put one on my M8 and started at the back and moved forward with screws, the screws up front did not line up...then took back screws out and started at middle leaving them a little loose and worked towards front. Went together and things lined up but some of the holes were about 1/2 the hole off, looked good once done though and should be good belly protection. Should have fit better but got it to work.

 

[Rprecision]

I just put one on my M8 and started at the back and moved forward with screws, the screws up front did not line up...then took back screws out and started at middle leaving them a little loose and worked towards front. Went together and things lined up but some of the holes were about 1/2 the hole off, looked good once done though and should be good belly protection. Should have fit better but got it to work.

mmmmmmmm.....weird ?

 

[Destroyer]

I got mine on too but it still fits terrible. The front hardly touches at all except where the bolts are. I had to grind some washers. The very front washer would not fit no matter what. And all the back holes had to be re drilled bigger. It fits but There is lots of room for snow and ice to pack in to different places

 

[Frostbite]

Interesting!

I bought a black Cat skid plate last spring but, I haven't installed it yet. I was going to return it and buy the new heavy duty one (it is the one with the extended sides covering the clutch and the silencer, right?)

Now I am starting to wonder if I should just install the one I bought last spring?

Do you guys feel the added coverage is worth the hastle?

Isn't the new heavy duty one thicker too?

Do the older ones (like mine) fit any better than these new ones?

 

[Destroyer]

The older ones don't cover much. Just keep some stumps from destroying your front cooler.

The HD one may be worth the hastle. The extra ribs under the sides will help if anything were to hit it. Plus if you ever blew a belt and it cracked your belly pan you wouldn't get any snow inside IF you had the HD skid plate.


On the other hand. The regular skid plate has ribs that go right to the front cooler where as the HD one doesn't. Kinda stupid if you ask me. But the regular would protect the middle better. Under the motor.

It's a tough call wether or not I would put the HD one vs. the regular.

I think the deciding factor would be HD YES because if you blow a belt it wouldn't end your day if it cracked your belly pan. A buds 2009 blew a belt and cracked the belly....he couldn't ride it. the belt slipped so bad.

 

[ripsass]

The regular didn't fit much better on mine. Had to re-drill two holes on it too.

But it does cover the vitals though, bulkhead/coolers, engine.

 

[sledstormed]

Does anyone have the part number for the HD plate?

 

[SaberKitty]

Does anyone have the part number for the HD plate?

Page 108 in the 2010 Accessories Catalog -- '05-'10 M-Series, HD Black Skid Plate, Part Number 5639-223, $169.95

 

[ACMtnCat]

post a pic aeh!

 

[dragon12]

Here is a link to another thread that was posted a couple of months ago. There is some more info and pictures in there.

http://snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=162129