Might I suggest only getting the Eurowise front skid plate. I really don't think you will need all of the other offerings, especially if you are not planning on doing a lot of hard off-roading. I've gone through some seriously nasty stuff in my 7P and the damage has been close to nothing. My Eurowise front skid however has taken a beating and saved a ton of potential damage.

 

I had originally thought that, and then it went out of my head for some reason....must be getting old... LOL. Would the aluminium version be better than the steel?

 

The only additional under body protection Id go with would be the transfer case cover.

As far as steel vs aluminum I’m for more protection so steel it is. But then again if you’re not doing any hard off-roading then maybe aluminum would be enough.

 

Aluminum is a lot lighter but it can get stuck on rock points, as they dig into the soft metal. I’d look into the uk darkside/skidplate.com steel plates which are thinner than the eurowise ones and much cheaper. I have them on my T2 and they’ve been plenty strong- no warping or dents despite hitting a lot of rocks, and winching it out of deep mud sliding on the plate.

 

I have similar goals to yours. I drive on some Texas dirt roads that look like they belong in Gaza or Fallujah and I am concerned about a wheel dropping into a deep hole and my vulnerable undercarriage parts scraping the road. Not exactly offroading but definitely potentially hazardous terrain. So I checked out Wallace Offroad in Australia:

Full 5 piece underbody package

In stock. The full package currently available. Save $100 5 piece kit includes: Front High clearance bash guard, 4mm Front subframe skids, 4mm Transmission guard, 4mm Transfer case guard, 4mm Rear arm skids, 3mm Built in flex area to isolate the subframe movement to ensure mounting bolts stay...

wallaceoffroad.com.au

That's a complete coverage package (stainless) for less than $700US. Shipping to US for another $500US or so. But I have been texting back and forth with Brad and he is now considering having the heavy parts made here in Texas and shipping the rest from Australia, so costs should go down significantly. From an email:

"Ive actually had some good feedback from a manufacturer in Texas. I'm
thinking I'll send the hardware from Aus, and have the heavy items
made and shipped in the states. Should save a bundle in shipping.
I'll keep you posted."

They are also looking into an "affordable" bull bar front end protection product. I am definitely going with their "bash guards" (in their vernacular) but I am going to wait up to a few months until their outsourcing decision is resolved.

 

Those look really nice from Wallace. Seems like a fair price. Hopefully if they outsource to Texas they can retain quality and fitment. I might be interested in the two front pieces.

 

Thanks to all for the responses. I took a look at the Wallace website. They are a third of the price of Eurowise. Wow, even with shipping, it would be less than the price of the parts alone! I will bookmark the site.

 

I just heard back from Brad and it looks like they won't be producing anything in the US:

"HI Bruce, With all the back and forward the best way I've found is to still make it in Australia, then ship to USA."

The price he quoted me seemed to be different however, so I emailed him again to confirm the "complete package" advertised on his website was accurate. I will post when I hear back.

BTW he will drill an oil drain plug access hole in the engine section if desired so you don't have to drop the guard to change the oil.

 

I have been doing serious off roading in my 7L, I've done several of the "expert" trails in the Durango/Silverton area (check out my posts for pictures).
I have about 2" increased ground clearance from oversized tires, a slight lift. I also have the VW 2mm steel "rough road" pan under the engine. The high price of the Eurowise components has put me off.
My recommendations are put the largest diameter AT tires on the car that you can, with the smallest rims (17") that will fit your car and go with a 1" spacer lift from Eurowise and leave it at that.

Aditional thoughts:

• Learn to drive! You need to practice off road so you know where all the tires are at and what you have clearance to go over. Make up some drills for yourself.
• Buy a good 12V air compressor so you can air down/up on the trail. ViAir is a good brand.
• The engine is protected by the sub frame and not vulnerable to impacts.
• The transfer case is the most vulnerable of the drive train components, so if I was to buy one thing it would be protection for that.
• On skid plates always go with steel.
• Most important: get a full size spare.

 

I appreciate your response! I have a full size spare, but only the tire at this point. I am looking for a good quality inexpensive rim for it. I am also looking at options for mounting said spare. Eurovision has a swing out spare tire mount. Again, quite expensive, so I am looking around for something else.

Steel it is. I have found that Wallace is a fifth the price of Eurowise, even with shipping. I will keep up my search!

 

Currently have over 151,515 principally off-road miles. Our TDI is totally stock with only body protection & camping gear added. Our aluminum skid-plates have worked well. Run 255/55/18s from the hot Chihuahuan desert up to the frozen Arctic Ocean at Tuk with many BDRs and Moab in between. Six BFG KO2s three season & studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta's winter.
Note we put our body protection on in 2013 when everything had to be custom fabricated.
PS - being from Canada consider going to BCOR.

BC OVERLAND RALLY

Have Fun, Make Friends, Learn Stuff.

bcoverlandrally.com

.

 

Where, may I ask, did you find the grille guard?

 

I appreciate your response! I have a full size spare, but only the tire at this point. I am looking for a good quality inexpensive rim for it. I am also looking at options for mounting said spare. Eurovision has a swing out spare tire mount. Again, quite expensive, so I am looking around for something else.

Steel it is. I have found that Wallace is a fifth the price of Eurowise, even with shipping. I will keep up my sear

I appreciate your response! I have a full size spare, but only the tire at this point. I am looking for a good quality inexpensive rim for it. I am also looking at options for mounting said spare. Eurovision has a swing out spare tire mount. Again, quite expensive, so I am looking around for something else.

Steel it is. I have found that Wallace is a fifth the price of Eurowise, even with shipping. I will keep up my search!
[/QUOTE
The only option for inexpensive rim is a used factory rim. buy one that matches your existing wheels. This was my first solution, it cost me less than $100. But I had to fabricate it. with parts off amazon.

 

Other option is a Wilco Hitchgate Solo High clearance which is what I'm using now. It is OK. If you look around you may be able to get a deal on these. I have seen them sold for about half price from China. It doesn't have the Wilco logo on it but appears identical.