Technical 4x4 sump guard

[porta]

As I’ve described before, wehn my 169 cross ‘bash plate’ went, I cleaned off and repaired the frame and manufactured the ‘body’ with ally’ footplate, putting in a plate to do oil changes. I attached the plate with sikaflex and Tek Screws with nitrile washers to help stop any reactions

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

...
As @WitleyPanda says a thermoplastic composite (thermoplastic matrix with higher melt point thermoplastic fibres) would be more appropriate and ticks the recycling requirement box that the automotive OEMs have to (struggle) to meet these days by being recyclable while also including a percentage of recyclate.

So actually, not unlike the plastic under tray that used to be fitted to the two wheel drive Pandas (and many other cars) -- although that was only a water splash guard and probably offered no rock protection.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

So actually, not unlike the plastic under tray that used to be fitted to the two wheel drive Pandas (and many other cars) -- although that was only a water splash guard and probably offered no rock protection.

A similar level of protection to many fitted to 4x4s driving around then, judging by the condition they come off in

 

[WitleyPanda]

So actually, not unlike the plastic under tray that used to be fitted to the two wheel drive Pandas (and many other cars) -- although that was only a water splash guard and probably offered no rock protection.

Totally different to a “plastic “ under tray. Highly engineered material in an extreme environment. A Demin waist coat and a stab/ bullet proof Kevlar/ ceramic plate ballistic vest totally different

 

[WitleyPanda]

In the “pond” with the washing soda, letting the electron remove the rust. Old oil barrel as the anodes and an ex-school science power supply. Odd shape size so will need a couple of presentations to the tank.

 

[WitleyPanda]

Yep, compression moulded Twintex or similar thermoplastic composite would do it.

As per GM jimmy Skid plate.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Would there be a market for this item if it were made out of a material that doesn't rust? I'm thinking carbon fibre, if you really want the next best thing when it comes to strength/bang protection? How many 4X4 owners are doing serious off roading to warrant the toughest protection though??

Yep. Decent quality galv steel would do nicelt though. Fiat need an award for possibly the worst quality metal ever used on these. My 2019 one was rusting badly. 18,000 miles and garaged since new. The wheels arnt much better.

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

I’ve mentioned this before but worth reiterating: the sump guard, and several other underbody bits, respond well to being regularly rinsed off with the jet from a hose (not a pressure washer: that’s too powerful). This keeps any build-up of mud at bay. Also the car being used frequently, and far enough to get fully warmed up to dry things out too. Low mileage, low use cars seem to suffer more in this area? My 2018 plate was rusty, yes, but surface rust and where off-road use had removed the thin paint. When I took it off to paint it there were visible tide lines in some of the pressed depressions, showing where water routinely sat in it. Also, the tray should come off annually as part of the service, so any deterioration should be seen long before the tray rots to the degree some seem to have done? (Next time mine comes off I intend to drill some drain holes in those low points).

 

[The Panda Nut]

Yep. Decent quality galv steel would do nicelt though. Fiat need an award for possibly the worst quality metal ever used on these. My 2019 one was rusting badly. 18,000 miles and garaged since new. The wheels arnt much better.

 

[WitleyPanda]

I’ve mentioned this before but worth reiterating: the sump guard, and several other underbody bits, respond well to being regularly rinsed off with the jet from a hose (not a pressure washer: that’s too powerful). This keeps any build-up of mud at bay. Also the car being used frequently, and far enough to get fully warmed up to dry things out too. Low mileage, low use cars seem to suffer more in this area? My 2018 plate was rusty, yes, but surface rust and where off-road use had removed the thin paint. When I took it off to paint it there were visible tide lines in some of the pressed depressions, showing where water routinely sat in it. Also, the tray should come off annually as part of the service, so any deterioration should be seen long before the tray rots to the degree some seem to have done? (Next time mine comes off I intend to drill some drain holes in those low points).

After coming out the stabilising tank, it looks a bit sorry for it self . The brown is flash rusting since taking out the tank. The powder coat just fell off, which further reaffirmed my conviction that powder coat, least without a zinc pretreatment is not a suit external finish.
But you are correct it is the low points, back outer corners that don’t drain that seem to rot. Ordered up some 1.5mm and 2mm galvanised sheet and will reskin, because I can. Get a near shape should be more fun than building Dublo sills .