ZR2 Bison AEV Radiator Skid Plate

[Transient]

Simple question:  Does the AEV radiator skid plate fit on the 2020 Silverado?

 

AEV doesn't sell it.  It's allegedly a "dealership service item" and cannot be purchased from AEV even though they manufacture it.  Attempting to purchase through the dealer would result in a "special order," which is nonrefundable if I discover the skid plate doesn't fit and wanted to return it.  Are the bolt hole locations really different between the 2019-2022 and the 2022.5+ trucks?  Or, is it really a difference in the front bumper?  Hopefully it's not an issue with the front bumper.  The 2022.5+ trucks have different fenders to accommodate the AEV front bumper.  Any desire to attempt that project would be a nonstarter for me.  I'm just hoping for a simple swap of skid plates and nothing more.  I initially wanted to convert over to the bumpers, but the fender issue chased me away from that idea.  Besides, AEV doesn't even sell the front bumper.  They only sell the rear if you're willing to cough up $3,000, plus freight (I'm not).

[newdude]

21 minutes ago, Transient said:

Simple question:  Does the AEV radiator skid plate fit on the 2020 Silverado?

 

AEV doesn't sell it.  It's allegedly a "dealership service item" and cannot be purchased from AEV even though they manufacture it.  Attempting to purchase through the dealer would result in a "special order," which is nonrefundable if I discover the skid plate doesn't fit and wanted to return it.  Are the bolt hole locations really different between the 2019-2022 and the 2022.5+ trucks?  Or, is it really a difference in the front bumper?  Hopefully it's not an issue with the front bumper.  The 2022.5+ trucks have different fenders to accommodate the AEV front bumper.  Any desire to attempt that project would be a nonstarter for me.  I'm just hoping for a simple swap of skid plates and nothing more.  I initially wanted to convert over to the bumpers, but the fender issue chased me away from that idea.  Besides, AEV doesn't even sell the front bumper.  They only sell the rear if you're willing to cough up $3,000, plus freight (I'm not).

 

 

 

AEV Bison skid bolts to the AEV bumper and has an additional bracket mounted to the frame.

Would require a 2022.5 front swap and Bison bumper to add the front skid.  

[GETGONE]

There's the ZR2 bumper and also the ZR2 AEV Bison bumper. I don't believe the skid plate requires the AEV Bison bumper, but it DOES require the ZR2 bumper. That is unique to the ZR2 as is the grill and I believe side plates for the fender. You'd have to do a full ZR2 front end swap. There are a couple aftermarket skid plates for regular Silverados.

[Transient]

8 hours ago, newdude said:

 

 

 

AEV Bison skid bolts to the AEV bumper and has an additional bracket mounted to the frame.

Would require a 2022.5 front swap and Bison bumper to add the front skid.  

Yeah, that ain't worth it.  Thank you.  I'll look around and see if I can find something better than the plastic "splash shield" GM puts on these trucks.  I'm try to build my truck into a survivalist type of rig.  I've been working too get ARES certified as a ham radio operator.  Part of that involves SkyWarn classes to be a weather spotter from the National Weather Service.  Tornadoes and hurricanes like to move debris around.  I'm already part of CERT and trying to get involved with SAR.  The money I spend and things I do just to do volunteer work. 

[Transient]

1 hour ago, GETGONE said:

There's the ZR2 bumper and also the ZR2 AEV Bison bumper. I don't believe the skid plate requires the AEV Bison bumper, but it DOES require the ZR2 bumper. That is unique to the ZR2 as is the grill and I believe side plates for the fender. You'd have to do a full ZR2 front end swap. There are a couple aftermarket skid plates for regular Silverados.

That whole swap is a no-go.  That's what I'm trying to avoid.  I'll find a way to achieve my goal. 

[asilverblazer]

I put set of skid plates on my truck I got off Amazon. I can't compare them to a ZR2 skid plate, but they are WAY better than the factory; both the skid plate and splash shield.

 

Kuafu Front Differential Skid Plate

2011-2019 Silverado Sierra 2500 3500 HD

[Transient]

On 4/7/2025 at 11:17 AM, asilverblazer said:

I put set of skid plates on my truck I got off Amazon. I can't compare them to a ZR2 skid plate, but they are WAY better than the factory; both the skid plate and splash shield.

 

Kuafu Front Differential Skid Plate

2011-2019 Silverado Sierra 2500 3500 HD

I already have the other 4 AEV skid plates on my truck.  I was just hoping to complete the set.  I'm stubborn.  I might just get the AEV radiator skid and find a way to make it work.