Metal Undercarriage Plates?

[flipstah]

So just did a winter Auto-X event and the car went into a very high snow drift and I noticed that the plastic undercarriage parts snapped off.

Looking to replace them with metal plates but don't know what they're called officially. I've circled them in a generic photo.

I know DieselGeek has skid plates but that's for the oil pan area only. Unless it's wide and long enough that it covers the plastic areas that I've circled in the photo....



Maybe a local metal shop?

[witchcraftz]

Re: Metal Undercarriage Plates?

They are called skid plates.

But they wouldn't extend that far. You are best asking for a custom build, but maybe just for the rear part? The front being a separate part would have some advantages when disassembling, also it's already being made and properly designed to fit.

The rear portion is pretty basic and any fab shop should be able to build something for you there for a lower price than custom for both front and rear.

[flipstah]

Re: Metal Undercarriage Plates?

Thanks, witchcraftz. Any recommendations for a trustworthy fab shop locally?

[BaggedGLI]

Re: Metal Undercarriage Plates?

Can be done Don, it won't come cheap though.....

[flipstah]

Re: Metal Undercarriage Plates?

Any ballpark costs? >$5xx?

[RobG]

Re: Metal Undercarriage Plates?

Do you still have one in tact? it would be a starting point.

[flipstah]

Re: Metal Undercarriage Plates?

One is intact, I believe. Only 1/2 is cracked.

[idlandk]

Re: Metal Undercarriage Plates?

Aren't they just used to reduce wind resistance? Could be wrong but I don't think they're protecting anything, just covering the floor pan. Putting metal under there seems like you're just adding extra weight.

[flipstah]

Re: Metal Undercarriage Plates?

Aren't they just used to reduce wind resistance? Could be wrong but I don't think they're protecting anything, just covering the floor pan. Putting metal under there seems like you're just adding extra weight.

Oh really? Well then, whatever. Lol.

[witchcraftz]

Re: Metal Undercarriage Plates?

The skid plate is probably a worthwhile investment, it will protect your engine, oil pan and transmission from debris.

For the rear part I think it is still a good idea. It will reduce your drag, increasing power and decreasing fuel consumption.

Check out the under of a BMW 302 Boss.

[flipstah]

Re: Metal Undercarriage Plates?

Time to find a local fab shop to see if they can make this...

[bobkatkat]

Re: Metal Undercarriage Plates?

Those underbody stone guards are a fairly complex shape so fabrication would be expensive to make a close fit. I imagine just a plate would hang much lower and catch on everything. The week point would be the plastic fasteners on the oem. I bet they snap first and then the hanging guard catches. Have you considered upgrading the fasteners to metal and large fender washers and using the plastic guards again and just taking them off for the ghost lake days? Oh and try to stay out of the deep hard stuff.

[witchcraftz]

Re: Metal Undercarriage Plates?

Something like this?

[flipstah]

Re: Metal Undercarriage Plates?

^ Now that seems like overkill to me.