[bmackin]

I've created this thread to provide updates and gather feedback on the development of Chief Products 'Sump Protection Plate'.

As many of you probably know, WK2s only have a plastic (2011-2012) or plastic/felt (2013+) unit protecting the front underside of the vehicle. Sadly, Jeep & Mopar currently offer no skid plate protection for this area.

For many, this is one of the first parts you break off-road. It protects a critical area (see photos below) as well as holding the inner wheel well liners in place. Considering the dealer in Brisbane charged me $388.04 for a new unit, plus $4.56 for fasteners, plus GST, plus installation to replace the plastic unit when it broke off-road. I thought it might be a good idea to create a more sturdy version.

Here are a few photos:

STOCK VERSION (INSTALLED)

STOCK VERSION (BROKEN)

WHAT IT PROTECTS

WHAT IT PROTECTS 2

CHIEF PRODUCTS - PROTOTYPE V1 (INSTALLED - FRONT AIR DAM REMOVED)

CHIEF PRODUCTS - PROTOTYPE V1 (INSTALLED)

CHIEF PRODUCTS - PROTOTYPE V1 (OFF-ROAD TESTING)

 

[bmackin]

Chief Products 'Sump Protection Plate' prototype V1 is made from 6mm 5005 Aluminium (marine grade). Information we've gathered from testing and feedback so far has been excellent.

As you can see in the photos, unlike the stock unit which bolts to the bottom of the front frame member only, ours rolls up and over the frame member, making it difficult for dirt or rocks to get wedged between the plate and the front frame member. This is a common failure point for the stock unit.

On July 16th, I will be meeting with the fabricator to create prototype version 2. Here are the upgrades we currently have planned for prototype version 2.

1. Dome head or flat head bolts, to protect them off-road.
2. Increased strength, either through folds and bends in the metal, thicker aluminium or a heavier grade metal.
3. Drainage slots running from the front of the plate to the back, to increase air flow and provide better drainage for dirt, sand & mud. We've decided to go with slots front to back instead of holes, to protect against rocks or sticks getting caught in the holes.
4. Black powder coating.

 

[bmackin]

I would love to get everyone's comments and thoughts, especially on the following questions.

Steel or Alloy? Alloy is much lighter and more corrosion resistant, but also comparatively weaker. A steel plate would not only mean more weight on the front of your WK2, but also greater shipping costs.

Painted or unpainted? If we do a steel plate it will need to be painted, but an alloy plate could remain unpainted. So far the feedback has indicated that people don't want the plate to 'stick out' visually, so we've plans to powder coat it black. Of course this means scratches and marks would show up more and the cost of plate would be greater.

If the finalised Sump Protection Plate met all of your requirements. How many would want one? Would you be willing to preorder?

Our current price target is $350, plus GST & Shipping. I am hoping to have them available by 1st August.

I look forward to everyone's feedback!

Cheers,
Bill

 

[bmackin]

What tires are on your WK2?

Care to post a full pic?

I'm running Maxxis MT-762s at 275/65R18. Here's a photo of the WK2 all setup for our 10 day trip to Coffs Harbour in May.

 

[bmackin]

Thanks for all the input!

We did consider other names. Jeep calls the stock part a 'Belly Pan' and we did consider calling it a Bash Plate, but both of those names seemed to lack proper description of what it was. Thanks for the input, we will keep working on the name.

Sales to the USA will not include GST, and we are looking at ways to ship them 10 at a time to reduce costs for bulk orders.

Our initial price target of $350 plus GST & Shipping will come down as the order numbers go up. It is part of the reason I have made this post, to help us gauge demand for our initial manufacturing run.

Thanks for all the comments! I should have more to report very soon.

Cheers,
Bill

 

[bmackin]

While you are at it, what engine is that? Your photo shows what looks like an oil filter. The CRD doesn't have the oil filter there.

I'm holding out for the ARB and Uneek4x4 bull bars that have been long promised. They may incorporate something similar. If not then I'll certainly be interested.

Also, have you considerred the differences in the bumper area of the 2011 and 2012-13 vehicles? Will this fit both?

That is the 5.7L Hemi engine, we have not test fitted the prototype plate to a CRD yet, but we will.

Yes I think I will also go with the ARB or Uneek4x4 Bull Bars, but from what I've seen so far they are only planning to guard the front area, (lower radiator, etc.). Of course if they provide a solution further back, then our product will only make sense for those without a Bull Bar.

I have investigated fitment on 2011, 2012 & 2013 vehicles, but I have not had a chance to look at the 2014 which has just come out. But I understand the front bumper frame area for 2014 WK2s is basically unchanged. I have a 2012, but when we have a finalised prototype design I will be doing final test fitting on 2011, 2013 and if possible 2014 vehicles prior to sale.

 

[bmackin]

I'd vote for Aluminum I don't need it painted, you could consider matt or satin black anodising rather than painting.

I'd suggest some front to back strengthening ribs rather than thicker metal. The mounting bolts could then be countersunk into the strengthening ribs so that the heads are protected. Inserting an allen key into a crunched dome head is very difficult. You may need to consider bigger mounting bolts.

You could place mesh across any holes or slots to stop sticks.

I agree with allypally $350 + GST is a bit steep, you may struggle to find sales.

I'd be prepared to pay $250 + GST in bare aluminum.

Thanks for the input!

Our first prototype for the Sump Protection Plate was 6mm 5005 Aluminium. It got the job done, but deformed during 'testing' (ahem... hitting a large rock off-road). So we've moved to 3mm hardened steel for the design of the 2nd prototype, along with some strengthening cross bends. I'm hoping to have the 2nd prototype ready for testing in a week or two.

I'd love to do strengthening ribs and pockets, but unfortunately the costs associated with creating a tool for pressing ribs and pockets would raise the cost significantly.

We are also developing a 'Front Guard' for the area behind the front air dam, to protect the lower radiator, windshield washer bottle, ACC Camera and air suspension controller. I'll post more information about it and our Recovery Hooks soon.

Cheers,
Bill

 

[bmackin]

Sorry for the delay on our Sump Protection Plate, I've been very busy lately. Researching manufacturers and suppliers. Organising the best possible shipping prices. Building our new website. Getting engineering certificates in place. I know everyone is anxious, but bear with me, I want to make sure every aspect of our products is the very best it can be. On the positive side, we have dozens of new products in the pipeline that will be available very soon.

We now have finalised design and CAD drawings for Chief Products WK2 Sump Protection Plate. There will be 2 versions, one standard and one deluxe. I'll post some 3D drawings and more detailed information soon.

And the final product will definitely be less than $1600!

Cheers,
Bill

 

[bmackin]

That cardboard thingy is called a "Belly Pan, Front" Mopar#68037063AD. This is for the CRD's. I think the others are a bit different. I just tore mine off driving in sand with the air dam off as recommended by Jeep . What occurred to me is that the reason this is made of a flexible material could be that it connects the engine with the body. A rigid connection could transmit engine vibration to the body or stress parts in ways they were not intended to be stressed. I was thinking of maybe making something out of conveyor belting. Also, I suspect the belly pan plays a part in ducting air around the engine so driving without one for any length of time might not be a good idea. These are just ideas to through in the pot.

Good ideas BobT! With our prototype bolted in place we haven't noticed any additional vibrations, but we will keep an eye out. The plate bolts to the frame so I don't believe it will be stressing any parts that weren't intended to accommodate stress. I've asked many people why Jeep didn't make this part steel or at least provide a steel replacement bash plate for this area, and no one has had an answer, but my guess is that is interferes with crash testing. They want the front of the vehicle to crumple in a front end collision and a metal plate bolted here would inhibit that.

Cheers,
Bill

 

[bmackin]

I received the 2nd prototype for the standard version of Chief Products WK2 Sump Protection Plate this week. It's made out of 5mm 350 grade steel with ZincShield2 undercoat for corrosion resistance and a heavy duty black powder coat finish. There are still a few changes we need to make, so that everything fits just the way it should, but we are very close.

I hope to have the final production model ready-to-go when we launch our website in 2-3 weeks.

Here are a few photos of standard version.

WK2 Sump Protection Plate (standard)

 

[bmackin]

So delivery before or after Christmas???

Cheers,
Steve

We're hoping to start shipping at the start of December.

Cheers,
Bill

 

[bmackin]

Oooh nice. How do we get a bunch of this to the US

We'll be shipping these to the US on the release date.

Cheers,
Bill

 

[bmackin]

Any photos of it installed on a JGC?

No installed photos of the 2nd prototype yet. I should have something for everyone in a few weeks.

If you're curious, you can go back to the beginning of this thread and see some installed photos of the 1st prototype.

Cheers,
Bill

 

[bmackin]

Photos in the op is not loading for me.

Sorry the photos are working. I'm not sure why that would be happening. What is the 'op'?

Cheers,
Bill

 

[bmackin]

Here's a repost (with all the photos) of the original post. I'm not sure what happened. I contacted the forum admin and when they finally got back to me, they told me old posts can't be edited, best to just repost.

-----

I've created this thread to provide updates and gather feedback on the development of Chief Products 'Sump Protection Plate'.

As many of you probably know, WK2s only have a plastic (2011-2012) or plastic/felt (2013+) unit protecting the front underside of the vehicle. Sadly, Jeep & Mopar currently offer no skid plate protection for this area.

For many, this is one of the first parts you break off-road. It protects a critical area (see photos below) as well as holding the inner wheel well liners in place. Considering the dealer in Brisbane charged me $388.04 for a new unit, plus $4.56 for fasteners, plus GST, plus installation to replace the plastic unit when it broke off-road. I thought it might be a good idea to create a more sturdy version.

Here are a few photos:

STOCK VERSION (INSTALLED)

STOCK VERSION (BROKEN)

WHAT IT PROTECTS

WHAT IT PROTECTS 2

CHIEF PRODUCTS - PROTOTYPE V1 (INSTALLED - FRONT AIR DAM REMOVED)

CHIEF PRODUCTS - PROTOTYPE V1 (INSTALLED)

CHIEF PRODUCTS - PROTOTYPE V1 (OFF-ROAD TESTING)

 

[bmackin]

On Friday I received the final prototype for Chief Products WK2 Sump Protection Plate. It's not painted, our logo plate isn't attached yet and the bolt head protectors haven't been installed, but I thought everyone might like to see it anyway.

They're set to go into full production right after the holidays.

I'm also happy to announce, Chief products website is 99% complete and will launch after the holidays.

The team at Chief Products is very excited to get these first products out the door and onto everyone's WK2. We've got a lot of other great products in development for 2014.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday. Merry Christmas!

Cheers,
Bill

These photos show our Standard edition, made with 3mm 350 grade steel. We're also releasing a Deluxe edition made out of 5mm steel for anyone wanting that extra protection.

*NOTE - When fully installed, the wheel well liners will be attached to the WK2 Sump Protection Plate. They are not attached in these photos. Bolt head protectors will be included, but are not shown. Installation uses factory bolt holes and does not require any drilling or modifications to the chassis.

Final Prototype - WK2 Sump Protection Plate

Final Prototype Installed - WK2 Sump Protection Plate

Final Prototypes Installed - WK2 Sump Protection Plate & WK2 Recovery Point (Passenger Side & Driver Side)

* If you're interested in our WK2 Recovery Hook & WK2 Recovery Point, check out this thread for more info.

 

[bmackin]

If the liners are attached to the protection plate, have you tried driving the GC at highway speeds without ripping off the liners or is that still something we should avoid.

Removing the front air dam when you get to the trail is such a hassle. When you do remove it, you'd need extra space to store it.

We've definitely driven at highway speeds with the WK2 Sump Protection Plate fully installed. No need to worry about ripping of the wheel well liners, or having them blow back into your tires. They are held in place by the protection plate, (similar to how they're held in place by the OEM Belly Pan).

I agree that removing the front air dam can be a hassle, but we can say from experience that it's definitely a good idea to remove it when going off-road. Not just for increased approach angle, but if it catches on something off-road it quickly tears and breaks all of the attachment tabs on the air dam, air inlet duct and bumper. We usually remove ours before we leave home, or if we're out camping we pop it in our tent for the day.

We always remove ours off-road, but I must admit I'm always a bit disappointed with how the WK2 looks with the front air dam removed. I always get people asking me if my bumper fell off or if something is broken.

I hope that helps!

Cheers,
Bill

 

[bmackin]

See how much better they look shiny! Could we please have them in chrome as well as powder coated?

BobT,

Because of your suggestion, we are currently investigating a Chrome option. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for the input!

Cheers,
Bill

 

[bmackin]

Maybe its time to design a new air dam, , something strong and functional ,maybe something made out of a brushed aluminum ??

Don't tell anyone.... but this is already in development.

Cheers,
Bill

 

[bmackin]

Is there a ballpark price for this yet? Need to start saving up pennies lol.

We'll be announcing official pricing soon.