"Protection Package" Questions

[MTBJoe]

Hi All,
I was looking at VanDevere's accessories page and saw the Protection Package they offer. In includes the hood protector (hopefully they will let me pay the difference for the Avalanche inscribed one), a complete set of Window deflectors and a complete set of splashguards. The package saves over $50.00 off MSRP and with a discount seems like an amazing deal. I have 2 questions about this.

#1 I have seen a few threads where people aren't too happy with the GM hood and window deflectors so I wanted to know if I should stay away from these?

#2 I read Boar-Ral's info on off-roading and he states that he cracked his splash guards off-roading and has heard of other people having theirs ripped off and damaging the cladding on their trucks. What I wanted to know from someone who has them is if they are easy to take off and put back on? I have no problems messing with a few bolts for my occasional 4x4 adventures but I may not want to spend hours each time I attack the trails.

As always thanks in advance for any assistance.

 

[WS6Y2K]

?In includes the hood protector (hopefully they will let me pay the difference for the Avalanche inscribed one), a complete set of Window deflectors and a complete set of splashguards. ?

I don't think you can swap out the hood protector. The protection package is one part #. In other words it is in one big box. If they break it up you will have to pay for 4 different parts (hood protector, vent visor, front mud guards, and rear mud guards)

#1 I have seen a few threads where people aren't too happy with the GM hood and window deflectors so I wanted to know if I should stay away from these?

Some guys don't like the vent visor cause they are stick on. Not like some of the aftermarket one that fit in the window channel. The hood protector is not bad.

#2 I read Boar-Ral's info on off-roading and he states that he cracked his splash guards off-roading and has heard of other people having theirs ripped off and damaging the cladding on their trucks. ?What I wanted to know from someone who has them is if they are easy to take off and put back on? ?I have no problems messing with a few bolts for my occasional 4x4 adventures but I may not want to spend hours each time I attack the trails.

If you have a 4x4 I would not put these mud guards on. They have 4 screw that screw into the plastic cladding. So if you plan to take them off and on the holes will get stripped. The screws do not screw into any metal

If I were you I would go with the GM hood protector with the Av logo and some weathertech vent visor.

 

[MTBJoe]

Thanks for the tips. I think I'll take your advice on the deflectors. It looks like I'd have to make my own holes for the spash guards. If this is true has anyone tried bolts, lockwashers etc?

 

[truckman]

Hey MTBJoe,

I installed the GM splash guards with extra hardware a couple of weeks ago. I would have preferred drilling into metal enabling the screws to get a bite of the fender well, but there is no metal to be found behind the splash guard mounting surface. Drilling into metal may introduce rusting if you're not careful. I substituted stainless screws & washers with ny-locks for the rear lower three fastners where I had access to the back of the guard to tighten the ny-locks. I used the extra six screws supplied with the guards to suppliment the front spalsh guard installation. You'll save a lot of time and frustration by removing the rear tires. Turn the front tires to accomodate access for the front installation. Even with an offset or right angle drill, it's very hard to get in between the tire and well at a perpendicular angle. Also, make sure the guards fit snug along the cladding and are level with the ground. The inside of the spalsh guard is contoured to the same shape as the wheel well but that can be misleading. If it takes you five minutes to install all four, it will look like a five minute job. Take your time and they'll look great.

Good Luck!

Truckman

 

[frule]

There is really no need to remove the rear wheels.I took a small nail.Held it with vise-grips and heated it with a propane torch.It pops a perfect starter-hole at the 90* angle.
Then you need an offset screwdriver ("L" shaped).

 

[nfhjr]

Just installed a set of Drawtite vent visors they just slip into the window channal and have stickem on the side of the visor that rest on the weather striping in the channel took just 10 min. to install

 

[WS6Y2K]

Last week I went to Home Depot and found some countershunk stainless screws. I was looking for some stainless wall anchors but the best I could find were zinc plated wall anchors. You know the ones where you tighen and it expands the anchor from behind. My only ?? is if zinc coated anchors will rust?? I need to find that out before I install them.