Rick,
Thanks a LOT for shipping quickly. I got the bits and immediately installed them. I'm off in an hour to hit the trails, so I'll give them a good test off-road. I, too, used hook-and-loop for the bottom of the front plate based on the suggestion. Seems pretty solid with the bolts at the top handling most of the strength for holding it in place.
Great products, Rick. Very fairly priced!! You're a good man!
Here are a coupe shots (pre mud

) :
Front cover:
Rear: