The Kilby
plate used only existing holes to mount the plate. No drilling
or special tools were required. Basically you remove one bolt
from the steering box and the lower bumper mounting bolt.
You then install the box and replace the two bolts.
In addition,
the Kilby plate is designed for different type of installs
with a welded-on tab that would allow you to drill a hole
into the front cross member to mount the plate if you had an
aftermarket or stock bumper that wouldn't allow one to reach
or add something to the lower bumper mount. On the Tomken you
have to order the plate for either a stock or aftermarket bumper.
If you choose to change your bumper later you may have to get
a new plate.
Installing the steering box bolt thru the plate and the
frame. |
Installing the lower bumper mount bolt. |
Once the Kilby
plate is installed it's very easy to see the differences between
it and the Tomken plate:
Notice how compact the Kilby plate is. Also note the side
protection. |
Notice how far down the Tomken plate sits under the frame. |
I'm not totally
sure that the side plate really offers any additional protection,
however it does add a little peace of mind. I do also like
the additional clearance under the skid plate. I have heard
a number of people comment that the steering box is up and
out of the way and probably really doesn't need to be protected.
Well, if you notice the corners of the Kilby plate in these
next two pictures you will see that it obviously kept the steering
box from getting hit. Those white marks are from either Las
Cruces or Katemcy
Rocks and
hard rock damages pretty much anything it hits so you can imagine
that I was happy to have protection when I needed it - whether
I knew it at the time or not.
Note the damage - especially at the corners. |
Here is a close-up of the driver's side edge. |
The Kilby
Steering Box Skid Plate is easy to install - at least easier
then the previous one I used. It is flexible enough in design
to mount it to multiple bumper configurations without needing
a new plate. It also provides better ground clearance then
the previous one I was running and it sells for a competitive
price. Based on all that I would recommend this plate to anyone
looking for a little less to worry about when out on the trails.