WK2 Sump Protection Plate

33334 Views 100 Replies 23 Participants Last post by BobT, Jul 27, 2018

bmackin

Discussion Starter · Jul 10, 2013

7

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)

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41 - 60 of 101 Posts

bmackin

Discussion Starter · #41 · Dec 21, 2013

3

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.

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Bart Man

· #42 · Dec 22, 2013

Thanks for all the great pictures and updates ,, :thumbsup: Looks like a great design

,, I hope you guys can come up with some other protection plates,
like for the fuel tanks and trans,, keep up the great work and let us know when the web page is complete :thumbsup:

eibyer

· #43 · Dec 22, 2013

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.

BobT

· #44 · Dec 23, 2013 (Edited)

eibyer said:
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.

Good point!

eibyer said:
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.

I would leave the air dam at home. However, I have my doubts about taking it off at all. The only benefit of removing it is an increased approach angle. I've left the air dam on resulting in damage to the air dam and shattering of the air inlet duct. I've taken the air dam off and promptly ripped out the plastic belly pan and ruined the wheel arch liners. The latter was the most expensive. Hopefully this protection plate will help make the WK2 a little more off-road worthy.

BobT

· #45 · Dec 24, 2013

bmackin said:

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

PB4UGO

· #46 · Dec 26, 2013

Looking forward to ordering this!! Keep us posted!!

BobT

· #47 · Dec 27, 2013

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

Sorry, I meant the recovery hooks/lugs, not the bash plate.

bmackin

Discussion Starter · #48 · Dec 30, 2013

eibyer said:
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

Discussion Starter · #49 · Dec 30, 2013

BobT said:
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

Reactions: 1

Bart Man

· #50 · Dec 30, 2013

Maybe its time to design a new air dam, ,

something strong and functional ,maybe something made out of a brushed aluminum ??

bmackin

Discussion Starter · #51 · Dec 30, 2013

Bart Man said:
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

eibyer

· #52 · Dec 31, 2013

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

BobT

· #53 · Dec 31, 2013

bmackin said:
BobT,

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

Thanks for the input!

Cheers,
Bill

No one can accuse you of not listenning to the voice of the customer. Anyway, since I might now be morally sucked in to buying a pair of chrome hooks, you might be morally obliged to offer me a modest discount for the suggestion.

bmackin

Discussion Starter · #54 · Jan 2, 2014

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

We'll be announcing official pricing soon.

bmackin

Discussion Starter · #55 · Jan 2, 2014

BobT said:
No one can accuse you of not listenning to the voice of the customer. Anyway, since I might now be morally sucked in to buying a pair of chrome hooks, you might be morally obliged to offer me a modest discount for the suggestion.

BobT,

LOL! I think I can manage that. I always enjoy getting good suggestions and feedback from customers.

Although I still need to find a supplier and verify costing, before I can say for sure we'll be offering it as an option.

Cheers,
Bill

bmackin

Discussion Starter · #56 · Jan 9, 2014

5

We had a great time up at Land Cruiser Mountain Park camping, 4Wheeling and field testing our latest prototypes. If you're interested in the trip, I'll be posting more info and photos on our Facebook page.

During 3 days of difficult 4Wheeling and testing, I'm happy to announce the final prototype performed excellently and handled everything we threw at it without any problems. Rocky trails, heavily rutted hill climbs and deep sticky mud... all situations that would've definitely broken the stock 'Belly Pan'. It protected the sump, provided plenty of air flow to keep the engine cool on a 36C day of tough 4Wheeling, held the wheel well liners in place and the slots made it very easy to clean out all of the mud afterward.

With field testing complete, we'll be organising a test fitting to verify fitment on various years and models, then we'll be going into production.

Cheers,
Bill

Here are a few photos:

Off-Road Testing

After Day 1 Testing

After Day 1 Testing

After Day 2 Deep Mud Recovery

After 3 Days of Testing

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Reactions: 1

jasefrehley

· #57 · Jan 15, 2014

Interested!

bmackin

Discussion Starter · #58 · Jan 19, 2014

BobT said:
No one can accuse you of not listenning to the voice of the customer. Anyway, since I might now be morally sucked in to buying a pair of chrome hooks, you might be morally obliged to offer me a modest discount for the suggestion.

Hi BobT,

I've contacted a few suppliers and it sounds like the price will be too high ($100+ per hook) for us to offer this as a regular option. Apparently there is a good deal of labor in prepping and polishing the hook so it has a nice smooth blemish free finish. If somebody really wanted them chromed, I might be persuaded to do a one off, but I think the price is too high to offer this as a regular option unfortunately.

Cheers,
Bill

Reactions: 1

Barboots

· #59 · Jan 19, 2014

I think that it's entirely mental to think about it. Unless you washed the hook all the way to the very back, rust will start it's evil process. It wouldn't matter how meticulously you maintained the almost protruding part... rust will come from the back forwards.

I put the typical aftermarket hooks on my last car. The chrome was well munted within six months... the plating presents sharp edges which is hard on bridles and straps. I've wire-wheeled and painted them to no major benefit. I should have bought the powercoated ones for sure.

Admittedly I used my car off-road several times a week, but it was also washed frequently. Chrome is cafe cruiser stuff in my opinion.

Cheers,
Steve

bmackin

Discussion Starter · #60 · Jan 19, 2014

We've finalised the design for this product (WK2 Sump Protection Plate) and are conducting a test fitting to verify fitment on various WK2 models. If you'd like to participate, please see this thread.

Cheers,
Bill

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