Bought an eighth-inch thick steel skid plate off ebay four years ago for my 97 GLT wagon--best accessory purchase for it I made to date. Just acquired another 97 wagon, this one an R model, and need another skid plate. I can't seem to locate who made the one I bought. It wasn't IPD's, which is aluminum and too expensive for my taste.

Volvo's skid plate at $145 from Volvo Houston is a metal bar affair. Can any one there tell me whether the turbo models really truly do need that extra air flowing through the grill skid pan over the oil pan? How much air flows over the pan from the sheet metal one I do not know. I don't drive any of my cars hard, so I don't know if air flow over the pan is a significant issue with those engines or not.

I ran across the a web site listing the solid steel skid plate I found on ebay about a year ago, but I've never been able to find it again. Can anyone help me? Dick

Gee,
I got the ipd plate. I like it. It takes 5 minutes to put on, and 4 bolts to take off. It fit perfect

I had the IPD (TME) aluminum plate under mine but took it off 'cause it did in fact make it a lot harder to change the oil and get the drainplug torqued right. I had a goofy oil leak under the car and thought it might be the main seal but I took the plate off and used a torque wrench on the drain plug (torqued it to 35nm ....) and the leak stopped. It's leaning up against the stack of tires on the side of my house till I decide what to do with it. The factory Volvo pad has better access, so that's probably what I would recommend if you really want one.



Mike
'95 850T

I installed the Volvo skid plate on my 850 and C70, and also on my mother's V70. I had seen too many pics of shattered oil pans (cast aluminum does not take impact very well) and knowing that there is not a lot of ground clearance to begin with.

I considered the IPD plate, but had also heard that some dealers were refusing to work on a car with the IPD plate, stating it was not a Volvo accessory, and they were not about to work on it. I can see their point. If they broke it, they'd have to order a new one from IPD, and they want to avoid aftermarket all together.

I like the Volvo skid plate, for the reason that it is Volvo, and the bars seem to promote cooling, as well as allow for oil plug access and clear view to most items down there for inspection purposes. I have heard the plate scrape a view times on driveways, so I feel better knowing its there.

I tried to put the first one on, and had a hellauva time. I decided to take it to the dealer to install, which they did - Volvo part - and charged me one hour's labor (55). I hung around and watched as it least 4 guys wrenched on it to break loose bolts installed at the factory, the ones I couldn't budge laying under the car. They spent at least 2 hours on it, and with 4 mechs I might add. I got a good laugh out of it.

PS: The dealer told me they only installed one other Volvo plate - on a car ordered by the Michigan State Police.

I think $145 is fair, try broton volvo or brentwood in Cincy, I think.