Somebody asked earlier in a post for a pic of the lifted XL-7, here it is along with a pic of my aluminum skids. 235/70R16 Kuhmo ATs (about 29.5") I am looking at some 245/75s so I can get some more lift out. Can send more pics if wanted. Just got a digital camera so . . .

Nice ride.  I think it looks great.  Can you send me some pics to put on my web site?  I'll give you full credentials and links to you site.  

Those XL-7 look big. Good to see you can still wheel one.
Your ride looks killer.

Hey blacknight, Skid plate is made by me. You'd be amazed at what a cinder block and a good rubber malet can do to 1/4" aluminum. I didn't want to pay the $60/hr shop fee at the fab shop so I just bought the metal. I have one on the transfer case as well. Kinda like a sled. Just enough to keep the rough edges out of the sand. I don't do much rocky offroading (since I am on the coast) so I really didn't need steel. I imagine I could do one out of 1/8" steel though if I need to. I can take some pics if youd like to see how it goes on. All you need is 2 L brackets for the front and 2 I think 8mm diameter screws that go right into the prewelded nuts in the center crossmember. Real easy job. Same with the transfer except longer screws and I straightened out one of the L brackets to support the back end of the skid as there is 12 or 14 mm dia. tapped hole in the transfer case it self.

About a 3 hour job but should be a little faster with some prior insight.

Calmini put some pics of vehicles they have done on their site : http://www.puresuzuki.com/vehicle_pics.htm

I really like that one they did in white with the winch bumper. That thing looks awesome. I am thinking of trying to get the LSD for the front of mine. I think the front diffs are the same between the GV and XL-7, maybe some minor mods needed.?.?

I really like that one they did in white with the winch bumper. That thing looks awesome. I am thinking of trying to get the LSD for the front of mine. I think the front diffs are the same between the GV and XL-7, maybe some minor mods needed.?.?

Yup the lsd will work up front  just need to lose the shift on fly  and replace the pass. side drive shaft.
George

THOSE XL-7'S LOOK GREAT    I TELL THE WIFE TO TRADE THE ASTRO AWD FOR ONE    NO LUCK YET    MATTY D.

nomaad, where did you attach the front of the skid plate? Already spotted the holes/nuts in the front x-member but wondered where to mount at the front.

steve

I mounted the front with 2 steel L brackets from my local hardware store to the front bumper brackets. See the pic. Real easy just back out the bolts (one at a time) then drill and hang your bracket and tighten and torque.

In the rear I used the existing welded nuts in the crossmember, used #8.8 zinc coated bolts a steel and rubber washer, These holes I made oblong to handle any torsion of the body. Also made it easier to attach all at once also. Mine is 2 piece but I am sure it could be made one piece. I also drill a nice hole for oil drain plug. With the lift you may need to put a little bump in the diff side of the skid. The new diff brackets drop it below the cross memebr a tad. I did this by laying the metal over a cinder block hole and whacked it a few good time to effect the bump out I needed so it wasn't touching the bottom of the diff. Hope this helps . . .

Almost forgot, the front section is 22" wide and attaches to the rear section which is 14" wide. Then the front section has rolled corners so I don't grab anything in reverse on the wider section.