Side Sill Chip Gaurds ????

[Tomer]

I had my side sills repainted on my 96 RT/10...The shop ordered all the chip gaurds from Dodge (I think they just told the parts guy to order whatever shows in the book, since this shop is not a viper specialty place)...

So the question is, there are chip gaurds for the ends, which are obvious, but Dodge provided "Center" chip gaurds, which have a funny shape and are rather large (4 in x 6 in, but they are not rectangular).

The part numbers are: 04708431 (center LH)
04708430 (front center)

Anyone know where the large chip gaurds go? I don't recall seeing any chip gaurds other than on the ends of the sills, like right behind the fronts and in front of the rear tires.

thanks
Tomer

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

There are guards for the beginning of the bulge in the middle; on the Gen 1 cars this was the leading edge of the blacked-out part.

 

[MW]

My late year '96 did not have them.
The die cut ones are really expensive- I bought a roll of 3M protective film & applied it down low back to the "bulge".
They are gonna get beat up or bent eventually anyway. The book shows only $123 for repaints.

 

[Tomer]

THANKS for the info...

SO, would the collective wisdom here say I should have the shop install these chip gaurds on the bulge of my side sills? I find it strange that these gaurds were not there when I bought the car, and I have very reliable info from the original owner that he had not changed anything on the car except the stereo.

Tomer
96 RT/10

 

[Paul Fischer]

I'd put them on, they are practically invisible and will save you from a lot of damage over time. And get a roll of the 3M film
as well for other areas like the inside of the wheel well if you are really concern about reducing wear and tear. It's cheap protection for paint and glass anytime you are on a marbled surface or at speed.