I am looking to guage interest on a full underbody skid plate for the Touareg. As owner of a local auto repair facility, I have partnered with a machine shop to produce a full aluminum, underbody skid plate that should be able to hold the entire weight of the vehicle. We are talking a 3 piece design which is fully welded and gusseted to extend over the pinch welds on the body. The goal is to have a completely smooth surface from which the Touareg can easily slide over/off rocks and other obsticals. Please let me know if anyone would be interested in such an item, as we can easily put the tooling in place to crank them out. Thanks again, and I look forward to hearing your replies.
Full Underbody Skid Plate
JoeGV10TDI
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I am looking to guage interest on a full underbody skid plate for the Touareg. As owner of a local auto repair facility, I have partnered with a machine shop to produce a full aluminum, underbody skid plate that should be able to hold the entire weight of the vehicle. We are talking a 3 piece design which is fully welded and gusseted to extend over the pinch welds on the body. The goal is to have a completely smooth surface from which the Touareg can easily slide over/off rocks and other obsticals. Please let me know if anyone would be interested in such an item, as we can easily put the tooling in place to crank them out. Thanks again, and I look forward to hearing your replies.
x2
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Would they look anything like this?
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Price, as always, effects everything. I'm interested.
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I think there may be many folks interested in this if the price is right and it fits well. One thing to consider with a full coverage plate is trapping too much heat under there. In the slow going, with the engine working hard, trapping that much heat from the engine bay and exhaust could be a very bad thing. The battery box is a close neighbor to the exhaust, and I wonder what effect it may have on already touchy things like the driveshaft carrier bearing, which could be engulfed in this heat if it's not ventilated properly. Maybe some sort of NACA ducts and/or a fan to move air through there so things don't get too heat soaked?
Matt
Matt
Good point, Matt. Also I think it is important to know how much will the ground clearance suffer (if at all). Sometimes half an inch makes the difference between going through or getting stuck.
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I would be very interested but, As above, the heat issue and the $$$$$$ to make the product will make or break this concept. I would be surprised if you could get the price under $3k plus with the fab time and the cost of materials.
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I am interested now that I am on my second Touareg - one that I own.
The heat issue is significant to me - we have very high ambient temperatures here in the Las Vegas / Phoenix / Mojave area.
Also of importance is that the skidplate is not hard mounted to something that could be damaged by shock impacts, a sort of secondary effect. I have fallen off boulders and such; the skidplate should take the impact.
Finally, serviceability is important. Having something that can be removed easily by service personnel. Can it adjust to natural changes in the frame?
I am aware of two existing designs - one a private design; and another that has been marketed here by MountainLord (Dakar Offroad). I will be evaluating those as soon as I recover from the immediate costs of lease return and new purchase. I also belong to the Vegas Valley 4 Wheelers club and will likely solicit opinion from some of their metal guys.
If you have a good product, let us know, get some pix. I might bite.
The heat issue is significant to me - we have very high ambient temperatures here in the Las Vegas / Phoenix / Mojave area.
Also of importance is that the skidplate is not hard mounted to something that could be damaged by shock impacts, a sort of secondary effect. I have fallen off boulders and such; the skidplate should take the impact.
Finally, serviceability is important. Having something that can be removed easily by service personnel. Can it adjust to natural changes in the frame?
I am aware of two existing designs - one a private design; and another that has been marketed here by MountainLord (Dakar Offroad). I will be evaluating those as soon as I recover from the immediate costs of lease return and new purchase. I also belong to the Vegas Valley 4 Wheelers club and will likely solicit opinion from some of their metal guys.
If you have a good product, let us know, get some pix. I might bite.
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Thanks all for the feedback, we are going to try and hit the $2500 to $2800 price point. Ventilation and serviceability is a huge concern of mine as well. From a serviceability standpoint, we may be going to a 5 piece design, with the trap door for oil chages. Overall we will lose roughly 3/4 inch in ground clearance, but should be for the better, as you will be able to slide over objects rather than getting hung up. Stay tuned....I should have the first rough sample out shortly. (and not a moment too soon, as I had a few good scrapes from last weekends wheeling trip)
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They would look simmilar, but would extend further up the front to eliminate the black plastic facia.
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If you are going to replace the black plastic part of the fascia, keep in mind that some vehicle's have the parking sensors fitted there. Also keep an eye on the approach angle.
And actually, while you're at it... My exhaust silencer at the back normally hits the deck when off roading. It's got quite a few dents in it. Why not see if you can do something about that as well...?
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All very good suggestions. All will be taken into consideration. Unfortunatly though, this project will have to take a back seat, as I am now searching for a new motor for my Touareg. I managed to hydrolock in last week and bent a few rods and scored a few cylinder walls. I need a V10, anyone know of one for a decent price?
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how can I get one? I am in Shanghai and think treg guys around are all desperate for this
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I don't think you are going to hear from this user since his last activity on this forum was the year he made this thread. There is another member here who is doing skid plates, but just to replace the stock plastic one.
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