Pro Guard Rear Skid Plate

[Marylandrauder]

I was thinking about putting 1 of these on but must say that when I take my trip up to New York this summer I will only be cruising at 55 to 65 m.p.h. , not very fast, I have heard that you can get better gas mileage at higher speeds, but at what speeds. I was wondering if I am waisting my money getting 1 of these, can anyone chime in if they have 1 and notice any difference in gas mileage.

[TAKEDOWN]

Got it in the mail thursday, put it on Friday...I'll keep you updated, I got it to prevent the bumper from tearing or warping. I assume it helps on gas, but not by much. With these gas prices I guess it's better then nothing. We'll see what the outcome is.

[freakstatus]

Got it in the mail thursday, put it on Friday...I'll keep you updated, I got it to prevent the bumper from tearing or warping. I assume it helps on gas, but not by much. With these gas prices I guess it's better then nothing. We'll see what the outcome is.

Did you use the stock bolts to install it or the new ones it came with?

[ctrlraven]

I've had mine on for so long now I can't remember about the bolts, I want to say you just use the stock bolts.

I can't really comment about the gas mileage as with all my mods my gas mileage has gone up. It's mainly to help keep the air going underneath the car move right on by instead of getting caught up in the rear bumper which will cause drag and eventually balloon out the rear bumper (sag and deform). Next time you go by a 2000-2004 CV or GM look at the center of the rear bumper (bottom) and it looks like someone has tugged on it and pulled it out some. Not all of them are like that just the ones that have a lot of mile especially highway miles.

[bigbillybbs]

I would purchase it.
I put it on my car about 4 months ago. I didn’t see any in the gas mileage because I did a DR tune at the same time. I got 2 miles to the gallon more from either the tune or the skid pate…. But I feel it mostly from the tune..
I had a 99 crown vic, and the bumper would crack down the sides from it sagging. I feel like the skid plate protects the bumper from sagging over time.
CANT HURT

[MM2004]

Get the ProGuard.

Easy install. ;)

Mike.

[Bluerauder]

I was wondering if I am waisting my money getting 1 of these, can anyone chime in if they have 1 and notice any difference in gas mileage.
Not a waste of money IMHO. I put the ProGuard on my MM primarily to stop the rear bumper shroud from flapping in the wind and to reduce/eliminate the very noticeable "sag". Whether there is an appreciable increase in MPGs is debatable; but it certainly can't hurt. Without the ProGuard, the lower lip of the bumper shroud acts as a drag chute catching air. The ProGuard panel eliminates this problem and smooths the airflow under the rear of the car. So, I suspect that MPGs are somewhat better if only in the fractions of 1 MPG. For me, the cost of the ProGuard was well worth it to just get rid of the embarrassing A$$ end flapping. :o If I only get 0.1 MPG more, I am still saving about 4 gallons ($17.00) per year. Not a big deal; but it is less. :D

[Blackened300a]

I have the proguard and it looks good under the rear bumper when working on the car on a lift. It uses the stock bolts and installs in less then 5 minutes. I hardly use my car and when I do, its mostly driving 5 miles then put it away, so I cant comment on mileage.

[TAKEDOWN]

Did you use the stock bolts to install it or the new ones it came with?
I used the new ones that came with the package...I'm ashamed that it took me a while to figure out that after you loosen the bolt by gas seperator thing...you just slide it a little forward to a drop slot, and the whole time I was trying to pry it out, by the way that's what that lip was for on that flat metal part to move it back and forth. Got the second one out with no problems. At least I got it on...I've heard 4-15 mins. max, well it nearly took me an hour, how embarrassing. That's why I'm NOT A MECHANIC.:beatnik:

[freakstatus]

Don't worry....One of the nuts kept turning with the bolt when I tried to unscrew it. I think I got ya beat by 15 minutes.

[Iowa Rick]

I have a class 3 Hidden Hitch on my MM. Will the Proguard work with the hitch or have to be modified. If modified will it still be effective in keeping the bumper cover from "balooning"? Thanks for any insight. Rick

[J D]

I used the new ones at first but then the screws for the bumper wouldn't screw in so I used stock ones and then changed out the new ones under the gas air thing too since the stock ones matched better.


I used the new ones that came with the package...I'm ashamed that it took me a while to figure out that after you loosen the bolt by gas separator thing...you just slide it a little forward to a drop slot, and the whole time I was trying to pry it out, by the way that's what that lip was for on that flat metal part to move it back and forth. Got the second one out with no problems. At least I got it on...I've heard 4-15 mins. max, well it nearly took me an hour, how embarrassing. That's why I'm NOT A MECHANIC.:beatnik:

Heh, I hear ya, it took me 15 min not to mention just getting up and walking way for 5 min to swear and pace till it hit me. :o

But all in all, it was a preventative measure for the sag and I think I noticed less drag and some noise from rustling wind on the highway. As for gas mileage, its probably a decimal that you'd only notice after a long drive down the highway. All our MMs should have one as it simple, cheap, and easy to install.

[GordonB]

Marylandrauder,
I have 2 Proguards on my two MMs. Used orig. bolts. MPG benefit -- unknown. Sorry.
GordonB

[J D]

I have a class 3 Hidden Hitch on my MM. Will the Progard work with the hitch or have to be modified. If modified will it still be effective in keeping the bumper cover from "ballooning"? Thanks for any insight. Rick
If its anything like this: then maybe with some heavy modifying but, you'd have to cut the slits in the side and also cut a hole for the main connection part of the hitch. And that's only given that the cross member is not below the connection for the bumper.
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h318/piclog543/morestuff/56f8b97f.jpg

So you will be doomed to have a saggging bumper like this:
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j102/llano_estacado/DSC01882.jpg

BTW Pics were from Crownvic.net

[Marylandrauder]

I guess I will be calling Dennis as I do not want to have any sagging problems.

[Svashtar]

I think it's a good mod. I don't think your bumper will necessarily sag without it, but it makes sense that at high speeds you've got a big air catcher there. I didn't notice a mileage improvement, but then over the years I've lost 3.5 mpg from the 4:10's, tune and tranny rebuild, which was all expected.

It took me about a half-hour to install IIRC. Was doing something wrong (I can't recall exactly) and called Dennis with a question and he knew the answer immediately. I like how it cleans up the look back there.

My other consideration was if I ever went over a median or something and bottomed out the back. I'd just as soon not scrape up 50 pounds of dirt and gravel, and this will help prevent that.

Norm

[justbob]

Hay Dom, not a bad idea for your car next time you launch it off another speed bump:lol:

[Iowa Rick]

If its anything like this: then maybe with some heavy modifying but, you'd have to cut the slits in the side and also cut a hole for the main connection part of the hitch. And that's only given that the cross member is not below the connection for the bumper.
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h318/piclog543/morestuff/56f8b97f.jpg

So you will be doomed to have a saggging bumper like this:
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j102/llano_estacado/DSC01882.jpg

BTW Pics were from Crownvic.net

Yep, mine looks very similar to the hitch in the picture. The bottom of the cross bar/member is maybe 3/8 - 1/4 inch below bumper attachment points. I suppose the proguard would be flexible enough to bend over the bar and the holes could be elongated. My hitch has the cross member further to the rear of the car and the bottom edge of the bumper cover rests on the hitch receiver about 1/2 inch from the end of the receiver. Maybe I'll try a cardboard mockup and see if I can build my own or at least have a template to use to cut the proguard. Thanks for the input. Rick