Install Guide

2023-2026 Chevy Colorado Skid Plate Package

2023-2026 Chevrolet Colorado, Colorado ZR2
Part #JG-CHEVY-COLO-SKID-PKG
Difficulty
Moderate
Steps
12
2023-2026 Chevy Colorado Skid Plate Package
1

Safety First!

Thank you for purchasing our Juggernaut USA skid plate! This skid plate can be installed on the ground, but if you do decide to jack up your vehicle for more room to install NEVER go under the vehicle on jacks alone. Use appropriately rated jack stands to support your vehicle prior to going underneath it.
2

Colorado (Non-ZR2) Front Valence Removal

If you are installing the Engine Skid Plate on any trim level of the Colorado besides the ZR2 you will need to remove the front valence. There are (12) 7mm bolts and a few retaining clips that need to be removed to be able to take off the valence and the plastic guard that comes from the factory. Starting just below the bumper on the front there will be (10) 7mm bolts to remove and then inside either wheel well there will be one more 7mm bolt on either side at the very corner of the bumper. Once all the bolts are removed there will be some clips in the wheel well that will have to be depressed with a small pick to be able to release the front valence from the bumper. There are (2) clips per side. Next will be the plastic factory skid underneath that will need to be removed. There are (5) retaining clips that can be removed from the front edge with a trim tool or flat head screwdriver and (5) 13mm bolts that hold this plastic skid in place.
3

Colorado ZR2 Front Skid Removal

We will begin by removing the factory skid plates. There are (4) T40 Torx bolts that need to be removed (Picture 1) and then (3) 13mm bolts that need to removed to take off the front most skid and (5) 13mm bolts that need to be removed to take off the engine skid (Picture 2).
Colorado ZR2 Front Skid Removal
Colorado ZR2 Front Skid Removal
4

Colorado ZR2 Lower Radiator Guard Removal

There is a secondary guard under the front skid plate that must be removed as well on the ZR2 model. There are (4) 13mm bolts total that must be removed. The first two are shown in (Picture 1) on the lower crash bar. The other (2) 13mm bolts are behind the two small plastic covers in the front bumper. A trim tool or a flat head screw driver can be used to pop these covers open to gain access to the bolts. See remaining pictures for access to these bolts.
Colorado ZR2 Lower Radiator Guard Removal
Colorado ZR2 Lower Radiator Guard Removal
Colorado ZR2 Lower Radiator Guard Removal
5

Front and Engine Skid Plate Install

Now that the factory items are out of the way we can begin install of the Front and Engine skid plates. There will be factory M8 clip nuts in many locations depending on your model, but we provide new M8 clips for every mounting location and suggest replacing the factory ones with our stronger spring steel clip nuts. See locations below for all clip nuts used. There will be (10) clip nuts in total for the Front and Engine skids.
Front and Engine Skid Plate Install
6

Front and Engine Skid Plate Install

Starting with the engine skid plate thread (3) M8 bolts with washers into the (3) clip nuts on the rear most crossmember. Use a dab of blue loctite on all bolts that go into clip nuts. Once the bolts are hand threaded a few turns the rear of the engine skid plate is slotted so it can be slid onto the bolt and use (4) M8 bolts with washers to secure the front of the skid. These will also only be turned a few turns to allow more skids to be installed.
Front and Engine Skid Plate Install
7

Front and Engine Skid Plate Install

The front skid can now be installed by sliding the sliding the (4) slots on the rear of the skid onto the bolts installed in the previous step and using (3) M8 bolts and washers with blue loctite to secure the front of the skid. If you are only installing the Front and Engine skid plates you can torque the bolts now to 25 ft-lbs. If installing more skids leave all bolts loose until the end.
🔧 Torque: 25 ft-lbs
Front and Engine Skid Plate Install
8

Transmission Skid Plate Install

There are (7) M8 clip nuts used to install the transmission skid. The front (3) will be shared with the rear of the engine skid plate if installed in previous steps. See locations below.
Transmission Skid Plate Install
9

Transmission Skid Plate Install

Install (3) M8 bolts with washers into the engine crossmember using blue loctite on the threads (if not already done in previous steps). The front of the skid is slotted to slide onto these bolts below the engine skid plate (factory or Juggernaut). Use (4) M8 bolts and washers with blue loctite to secure the back of the skid to the transmission crossmember. If finished after the transmission skid torque all bolts to 25 ft-lbs. If installing transfer case skid leave bolts only a few turns threaded in.
🔧 Torque: 25 ft-llbs
Transmission Skid Plate Install
10

Transfer Case Skid Install

The transfer case skid will use (6) M8 clip nuts in the locations shown below. The (4) on the transmission crossmember are shared with the transmission skid if installed in previous step.
Transfer Case Skid Install
11

Transfer Case Skid Install

If not already done in previous step install (4) M8 bolts and washers with blue loctite on the threads into the transmission crossmember. Only thread these a turn or so into the clip nut to leave maximum thread exposed. If installing with transmission skid, the transfer case skid will go underneath the transmission skid. The front of the skid plate is slotted to slid onto these bolts and then use (2) M8 bolts and washer to secure the rear of the skid plate to the smaller crossmember behind the transfer case. Torque all bolts to 25 ft-lbs.
🔧 Torque: 25 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Skid Install
12

Installation Complete!

The Juggernaut USA skid plate package is now complete! If waiting until the end to tighten all bolts, torque them to 25 ft-lbs. Enjoy your new Juggernaut USA skid plates!
🔧 Torque: 25 ft-lbs
Installation Complete!

Installation Complete

Enjoy your new Juggernaut USA skid plate. Built, fabricated & assembled in Colorado — backed for life.

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Our team installs these every week at our Wheat Ridge, CO shop. Skip the garage time — book a professional install and drive away dialed in.