Underbody Guards
Discussion
I am thinking of getting a couple of bits but saw the other thread on here - dont want to hijack that one so -
I have seen a couple of trucks with big flat sheets mounted underneath almost everything, sometimes with just a couple of cut outs to allow bits to project thro a little, presumably so ground clearance is not over compromised .... but - surely, a large flat area area of plate is going to have real "ground effect"...not downforce (I dont tend to offroad at 140mph) but by being in contact with a wet soft surface)
I can see the advantage of shielding the more fragile bits, but in mud (even thin mud) a large sheet is going to act like a massive sink plunger? Plus, the vehicle will tend to "float" on it rather than sink in enough to let the tyres bite, and if its strong enough to withstand a bigger thump than the original casings can take, its going to be heavy, which is another penalty on ability.
I was thinking more of just a front bash / skid plate to defend the steering gear, then a diff guard or 2?
I have the tools to fabricate something simple, but not the more complicated stuff. If I can save some dosh with home made I will, but dont want to waste my time making an anchor!
Anyone done this and wished they hadn't?
I have seen a couple of trucks with big flat sheets mounted underneath almost everything, sometimes with just a couple of cut outs to allow bits to project thro a little, presumably so ground clearance is not over compromised .... but - surely, a large flat area area of plate is going to have real "ground effect"...not downforce (I dont tend to offroad at 140mph) but by being in contact with a wet soft surface)
I can see the advantage of shielding the more fragile bits, but in mud (even thin mud) a large sheet is going to act like a massive sink plunger? Plus, the vehicle will tend to "float" on it rather than sink in enough to let the tyres bite, and if its strong enough to withstand a bigger thump than the original casings can take, its going to be heavy, which is another penalty on ability.
I was thinking more of just a front bash / skid plate to defend the steering gear, then a diff guard or 2?
I have the tools to fabricate something simple, but not the more complicated stuff. If I can save some dosh with home made I will, but dont want to waste my time making an anchor!
Anyone done this and wished they hadn't?
Seagoon said:
I am thinking of getting a couple of bits but saw the other thread on here - dont want to hijack that one so -
I have seen a couple of trucks with big flat sheets mounted underneath almost everything, sometimes with just a couple of cut outs to allow bits to project thro a little, presumably so ground clearance is not over compromised .... but - surely, a large flat area area of plate is going to have real "ground effect"...not downforce (I dont tend to offroad at 140mph) but by being in contact with a wet soft surface)
I can see the advantage of shielding the more fragile bits, but in mud (even thin mud) a large sheet is going to act like a massive sink plunger? Plus, the vehicle will tend to "float" on it rather than sink in enough to let the tyres bite, and if its strong enough to withstand a bigger thump than the original casings can take, its going to be heavy, which is another penalty on ability.
I was thinking more of just a front bash / skid plate to defend the steering gear, then a diff guard or 2?
I have the tools to fabricate something simple, but not the more complicated stuff. If I can save some dosh with home made I will, but dont want to waste my time making an anchor!
Anyone done this and wished they hadn't?
I have run a belly pan on my Bowler for years with no ill effects. If there was a risk of grounding it tended to skim over the tricky bit, I too worried about deep mud sucking the car and keeping it stuck but I think that cluttered underside is worse as the soft ground has more to act against and makes a much better ground anchor with increased risk of collateral damage.I have seen a couple of trucks with big flat sheets mounted underneath almost everything, sometimes with just a couple of cut outs to allow bits to project thro a little, presumably so ground clearance is not over compromised .... but - surely, a large flat area area of plate is going to have real "ground effect"...not downforce (I dont tend to offroad at 140mph) but by being in contact with a wet soft surface)
I can see the advantage of shielding the more fragile bits, but in mud (even thin mud) a large sheet is going to act like a massive sink plunger? Plus, the vehicle will tend to "float" on it rather than sink in enough to let the tyres bite, and if its strong enough to withstand a bigger thump than the original casings can take, its going to be heavy, which is another penalty on ability.
I was thinking more of just a front bash / skid plate to defend the steering gear, then a diff guard or 2?
I have the tools to fabricate something simple, but not the more complicated stuff. If I can save some dosh with home made I will, but dont want to waste my time making an anchor!
Anyone done this and wished they hadn't?
One thing to beware of is trapping grass and scrub - I had a "condor moment" in a traffic jam following a summer weekend exploring Wiltshire and Oxfordshire when trapped seed heads and grasses got a little too warm!
There are now lots of large holes i the belly pan to let undergrowth out after the vehicle has trimmed it.
I have just got back from the vehicle fettling pit a few hundred yards down the road after drilling some holes to complete my magnificent home made version! When bolted on, it will go from the very front of the car, to just behind the doors, in 4mm checker plate.
I would much rather get stuck in a bit of mud that smack the hell out of a transfer case box, or twist a cross member, or kink a brake line, etc. I think it is the biggest worry when off-roading it getting a sharp boulder do its worst on your underside. Even grounding on a lump can be a pain, especially if your 'bits' anchor you into the ground. This way, it is flat, smooth, and shouldn't be a problem.
I would much rather get stuck in a bit of mud that smack the hell out of a transfer case box, or twist a cross member, or kink a brake line, etc. I think it is the biggest worry when off-roading it getting a sharp boulder do its worst on your underside. Even grounding on a lump can be a pain, especially if your 'bits' anchor you into the ground. This way, it is flat, smooth, and shouldn't be a problem.
This will depend what type of terrain you are on. If you are rock crawling then under vehicle protection is good for avoiding damage and also good to help avoiding getting hung up on some obstacles.
However on sand you may well find such things more of a hindrance and will dig in and beach you a lot easier.
For example, this Landy has a steering guard and a great under axle guard too. Which works well in rocky terrain. But here in the sand it kept digging in. This vehicle is stuck where others didn't get stuck all due to the guard.
However on sand you may well find such things more of a hindrance and will dig in and beach you a lot easier.
For example, this Landy has a steering guard and a great under axle guard too. Which works well in rocky terrain. But here in the sand it kept digging in. This vehicle is stuck where others didn't get stuck all due to the guard.
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