[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

 

[BobT]

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.

I just priced the plastic one, Belly Pan, Front #68037063AD. The stealers want $391.17 for it.

 

[RocketRod]

I'd be interested in whatever solution you come up with, my previous Prado just had a pressed metal plate here.
I had a day on the beach yesterday and have after 1 trip almost lost/ destroyed the standard part much like BobT I am guessing.
Mine is also a CRD

 

[BobT]

At Stockton previously I hit a sand berm that bent the bumper cover in so far that it crushed the plastic air inlet duct that sits behind it. That needed replacing. The last time at Stockton, with the guys, I did as the manual suggests and removed the bumper cover. That was worse. The front of the plastic belly pan dug into the sand and ripped off the front fasteners. This caused it to bend back under the car. In so doing, the two front fender liners were pushed back against the wheels and damaged. All fixed now.

The plastic belly pan is a curious thing. I don't think it is intended to provide protection. It covers a very rigid structural member and the humongous roll bar so the plastic isn't going to do much by way of protection. The belly pan is actually a fairly tough foam sandwich with a kind of waffle pattern above. It looks to me that it is primarily there for sound proofing and to duct cooling air around the engine. I would think it should be left in place. I'm thinking that some form of bash plate that protects the leading edge of the belly pan and runs perhaps half the way back towards the engine but not to the engine, would be good.

 

[Barboots]

An engine does not require ducted airflow around it for cooling. Air cooling has historically proven ineffective. That said, a measured amount of airflow must be able to pass through the engine bay for the cooling system to operate. Make a skid plate around the same shape and all is well.

The waffle shape is probably to stop the insulative material acting as a blanket. Plus the material would be pretty weak without some shape and thickness.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[Brett]

It does extend down a couple of inches below the bottom of the bumper, so probably it is intended to direct airflow smoothly under the engine, not specifically for cooling but for aerodynamics.

I've read somewhere that even the two removable pieces directly in front of the wheels at the bottom of the front air dam / fascia (I think they are called lower air dam trims?) affect the aerodynamics, and the plastic plate we are all talking about would effectively become the "middle" companion to these as far as air flow goes.

 

[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)

 

[Barboots]

So delivery before or after Christmas???

Cheers,
Steve

 

[bmackin]

So delivery before or after Christmas???

Cheers,
Steve

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

Cheers,
Bill

 

[eibyer]

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

 

[GMWK2]

Back of the q mate - Australians first!

 

[eibyer]

 

[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

 

[whartung]

Any photos of it installed on a JGC?

 

[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

 

[eibyer]

Photos in the op is not loading for me.

 

[Benn0]

Yeah, for some reason they aren't working, you can look here:

WK2 Sump Protection Plate - AUSJEEPOFFROAD.COM - AJOR

 

[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

 

[Barboots]

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

Cheers,
Bill

OP = Original Post.

I couldn't see the images in it yesterday either.

Ciao,
Steve

 

[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)