ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum

ZUKIWORLD Model Specific Suzuki Forum => Suzuki Grand Vitara, Vitara, Chevy Tracker (Gen. 2 Platform) 1999-2005 => Topic started by: toofaroffroad on August 20, 2007, 11:18:02 AM

Title: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: toofaroffroad on August 20, 2007, 11:18:02 AM
Hi, I just recieved an email from Aftermarket4x4.com regarding the Skid plates for Grand Vitara. He needs 10 orders to get started. They will be ruffly $120.00. I don't need a bunch of replies on this forum but I'm thinking if you want one then email him below. When he's got 10 orders we can get rolling on this.

aftermarket4x4|removethispart|@cox.net

Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: Jeff@TireBalls on August 20, 2007, 03:45:39 PM
I just talked to him last week and he said there isn't enough interest to make them.

If this is true, I'm first in line!
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: Rally_T-115 on August 20, 2007, 06:23:53 PM
Do you know if there are any example pictures?  I'd be interested in one too but I'd like to see one first.

James
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: Jeff@TireBalls on August 20, 2007, 06:34:08 PM
This is the one he makes for Trackicks so I say we can assume that it will be very similar for the GV's.

(http://members.cox.net/suzukispecialists/trackerskidplate4door1.jpg)

(http://members.cox.net/suzukispecialists/trackerskidplate3.jpg)
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: Rally_T-115 on August 20, 2007, 07:47:00 PM
 :o  :D

Wow that looks nice, ok I'm game.  Next question is where is he located.  I'm in Canada and even though the CAD and USD are leveling out, shipping is still a bitch with duty and brokerage.  If he's real close to where I am I'd rather go buy and install it in the states so I can drive back across and not have to claim it... >:D  But if he's in texas or kalifornya I'll just have to suck it up.  :P

James
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: Jeff@TireBalls on August 21, 2007, 05:32:40 AM
I believe he's in VA
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: Rally_T-115 on August 21, 2007, 10:06:19 PM
Darn a little too far for me to drive... oh well, I sent him a very short message yesterday but no response, maybe I was too cryptic, I'll give it a few days.
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: Jeff@TireBalls on August 22, 2007, 05:34:42 AM
Toofaroffroad, I hope you don't mind but I copied this post on a couple other boards to hopefully reach more GV owners.
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: Davyboy on August 23, 2007, 07:06:04 AM
Would love to help you guys on this one, but I bought the GM skidplate last year after waiting for years for somebody to make one.  Only thing that sucks is it has to be removed for every oil change, since there's no hole for draining oil!  Oh well....looks good, and is very sturdy.  Good luck.  I'm definitely interested in a rear diff skid, since Calmini is never going to make theirs.  Let me know if anyone wants to make that one.

Dave
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: Rally_T-115 on August 24, 2007, 09:11:47 PM
Would love to help you guys on this one, but I bought the GM skidplate last year after waiting for years for somebody to make one.

Yeah you got me there.  When did you get it?  How much was it?  Did you have to modify it at all?  Do you know if it's still available?   Gotta pic?
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: aftermarket4x4 on August 25, 2007, 09:01:32 PM
Yes, I have been planning on producing the 1999 on up Chevy Tracker, Suzuki Vitara, Grand Vitara, XL-7 front skid plates for the past year and a half. Problem is that I have had very few people that are truly interested in purchasing them. If I can get a total of 10 orders I WILL go ahead and get them on the market. Right now I have a prototype sitting here......

Those who are ready to order one please E-mail me directly at AFTERMARKET4X4|removethispart|@cox.net and you will be put on the order list.

Belly skids and gas tank skid plates can also be made, but again that depends on orders.

Sean DeVinney
www.AFTERMARKET4X4.com
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: Jeff@TireBalls on August 26, 2007, 05:54:26 AM
According to Sean there are 3 orders right now. Come on guys, where are those of you that have been saying you wanted skids for the last few years?  ???
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: blacktrack99 on August 27, 2007, 05:11:44 PM
Just sent my e-mail off.  I've been tempting fate far too long with no real armor.  Oh, Sean, forgot in my e-mail, but front and rear bumpers, too.  Thanx.  ;) My wife's gonna love this bill ;D   Not even kidding.  The Visa has a zero balance right now, and the Mrs. just bought my midlife crisis car for herself.  My turn.
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: blacktrack99 on August 27, 2007, 05:15:28 PM
Heck, I'll even buy the prototype, if you don't have enough real interest from anyone else. 
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: Rally_T-115 on August 27, 2007, 06:32:32 PM
Just sent off another email saying I'm really interested.  Also inquired about a possible bellyskid to protect the t-case.  I've no intention of raising my GV I like it right where it is.
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: Yankee-Tim on August 28, 2007, 07:12:13 AM
Also inquired about a possible bellyskid to protect the t-case.

I built on off of the stock cross member.  With the 31" tires, 4.24 t-case and lockers, I twisted the crossmember.  I straightened it, reinforced it, and built a t-case skid off of that.
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: aftermarket4x4 on September 30, 2007, 05:18:56 AM
OK, we now have 5 orders....I really thought there would be more interest in a '99 and newer :suzuki:  Aftermarket Skid Plate for the front!

I would really like to get this Skid Plate on the market for you guys so what I propose is instead of 10 pre-orders if I can get the 5 people who promised to buy them to pre-pay for them I will go ahead and produce these. Production will take approximately 2 weeks.

Sean DeVinney

AFTERMARKET4X4|removethispart|@cox.net
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: aftermarket4x4 on October 10, 2007, 05:13:26 AM
OK, so far I have had only TWO .....YES that's only 2 .... people send in payment for the 1999 on up Vitara/Tracker, GV front skid plates.  :o  After all the interest only two people want them 


Does this mean the Tracker guys are even CHEAPER than the Samurai guys? LOL!


Sean (A little disappointed...) DeVinney
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: Jeff@TireBalls on October 10, 2007, 05:25:09 AM
Sorry Sean, I got tired of waiting and had a local machine shop make one.
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: Rally_T-115 on October 15, 2007, 05:59:42 PM
So what happens now?  I guess now we wait for 3 more people to show up?  I already sent down my payment on Oct 2nd, now it's in limbo...   >:( :'(
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: aftermarket4x4 on October 18, 2007, 05:43:49 PM
For all of you that have waited two weeks after pre-ordering the NEW Aftermarket4X4  Suzuki Vitara, Grand Vitara, Chevy Tracker front skid plates....they are DONE and will be shipped as soon as I return from the fall Zuwharrie event this weekend.

THEY LOOK NICE....If I do say so myself  8)

Sorry NO pic's until after this weekend .... I will be bringing one to unveil it at the Zuwharrie event this weekend...I may even give it away for a raffle prize!

See some of you at the ZU!


Sean DeVinney
www.AFTERMARKET4X4.com
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: blacktrack99 on October 19, 2007, 04:43:55 PM
I'll post pics when mine's on.  See if I can help you move some more of the these.  Make sure to post some good wheeling pics from this weekend. ;)
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: Rally_T-115 on October 26, 2007, 04:31:57 PM
Haven't heard anything since last thursday Sean, any news?
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: fgials on October 27, 2007, 11:50:19 AM
Well the wait is over here are some pics of the skid on my '02 Grand Vitara!

(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/fgials/GrandVitaraNewShoes003.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/fgials/GrandVitaraNewShoes004.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/fgials/GrandVitaraNewShoes005.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/fgials/GrandVitaraNewShoes006.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/fgials/GrandVitaraNewShoes007.jpg)
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: blacktrack99 on October 28, 2007, 06:43:32 AM
Definitely a little more substantial than the stock piece that hardly anyone has anyway.  Mine didn't make it yet this week, but it had to come cross country.  Can't wait to put it on and scrape it up. 
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: Rally_T-115 on October 28, 2007, 07:49:04 PM
blacktrack99 and fgials, did you receive emails saying your skidplates have been shipped?  Or, fgials, did yours just arrive out of the blue?  I'm just wondering because I haven't personally received any email about my skidplate at all, wether or not it has been shipped already etc.  Only what Sean has posted on here is all I've heard since I mailed down the cheque.

Otherwise I can't wait.   8)


James
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: aftermarket4x4 on October 29, 2007, 10:02:29 AM
FGIALS won his at the Fall ZUWHARRIE trail ride and Suzuki/Geo Event last weekend which is where I chose to debut the new 1999 on up skid plates. I did not send out any E-mails regarding each individual shipment and as of today all orders that have been paid for have been shipped......so the wait is almost over!


Sean DeVinney
AFTERMARKET4X4|removethispart|@cox.net
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: bzzr2 on October 29, 2007, 11:34:47 AM
looks good.  a belly skid from the back of the front skid up to the tcase would be great, i have a cross member under there that bent pretty badly, way to close to the driveshaft from the tcase to front diff... belly and tank skids - where are you!?!?!?!?!!!!
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: JDMCRX on October 30, 2007, 01:49:52 PM
Nice i will be ordering one up next month :)
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: aftermarket4x4 on November 02, 2007, 05:49:57 AM
looks good.  a belly skid from the back of the front skid up to the tcase would be great, i have a cross member under there that bent pretty badly, way to close to the driveshaft from the tcase to front diff... belly and tank skids - where are you!?!?!?!?!!!!

Well, lets see....I promised to produce the front skid plates IF ten (10) people promised to buy them, then after five (5) promised to do so I said I would produce them if five (5) people pre-ordered. Only three (3)people pre-ordered and paid for the items as promised and I went ahead and produced the skid plates anyway. So do I really want to make a belly skid or a gas tank skid for such a fickle group of people?   Well, yes, I actually do...but I will not produce any gas tank skids without prepayment of at least five (5) people. So in conclusion, you guys can get together a group buy and I will make them.

Sean (Working with the Suzuki Community to build better Zuk's!) DeVinney
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: bzzr2 on November 02, 2007, 08:05:22 AM
the gen2 models are going to become more and more popular on the trails, if you are on top of the market it may put you in the position of taking the lead on producing and selling some of these parts!

comon guys!  anybody that is really out there wheeling hard must be running into some good dents in the thin tank skids.  i know we have tcase skids but these things leave a lot of open area to worry about.......
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: Davyboy on November 02, 2007, 11:54:01 AM
I would be interested in the gas tank skid.  No rocks here in Florida, but I'm hoping to finish building this thing and head for the hills.  How much would it set me back?
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: blacktrack99 on November 02, 2007, 04:25:57 PM
How much would it set me back?
Same question as mine.  You know I'm not fickle; my check was on the way as soon as you green-lighted the front skids.  Johnson Valley OHV area is my back yard.  Show me the armor. 
So do I really want to make a belly skid or a gas tank skid for such a fickle group of people?
Sean (Working with the Suzuki Community to build better Zuk's!) DeVinney
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: aftermarket4x4 on November 02, 2007, 05:39:35 PM
So is that two or three orders for the Gas tank skid plates? Now we only need a few more orders and then the tricky part......getting people to send money....LOL!



Sean (not a magician) DeVinney
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: Pierre G on November 03, 2007, 04:47:44 AM
We at www.masterkit1.com have a great skid plate if anybody is interested. It is bolted, re-enforced in the middle with a 1-inch metal plate welded in the center. It is bolted and easy to install as well as being hassle free for oil changes. We believe it is the best bang for the buck. Check it out and don't hesitate if you have questions: pierreg|removethispart|@masterkit1.com
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: JDMCRX on November 04, 2007, 08:30:13 PM
How much for the gas tank skid plate cause i may be interested and would pre pay too
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: aftermarket4x4 on November 05, 2007, 03:38:27 AM
How much for the gas tank skid plate cause i may be interested and would pre pay too

We are looking at approximately $159.99 for the 1999 on up gas tank skid plates for pre-orders. These are larger and more complicated than the earlier models use and considerably more expensive to manufacture....hence the higher price compard to the earlier model gas tank skids. The design style will continue the clean look, strong design, and good fitment I have used with all my other skid plates and SATISFACTION is GUARANTEED!

Everyone can E-mail me directly for ordering info  :D

Sean (I truly want to build these!) DeVinney
AFTERMARKET4X4|removethispart|@cox.net
Title: Re: Grand Vitara aftermarket4x4 skid plate
Post by: Rally_T-115 on November 06, 2007, 06:16:20 PM
My skid plate arrived this morning.  Gonna install it tomorrow evening. 
Thanks Sean.

James