Belly pan/sump guard... worth replacing @ £63?

[Brettyboy]

I fancy one of those alloy ones that folk are making, save whacking things with the sump and it should last longer than the plastic one.

Been thinking the same,be nice & rigid & could do a built in sump guard,the std undertray hangs down which is a pain if ur lowered

 

[Seatmann]

There was a thread on the ukmiv's recently about this, I can't remember the full thing but there was talk of this same thing. Other than the cut outs for the drivers side I can't see it being that hard to do. I think I would have a separate plate for access to the sump plug, something that just screws on maybe.
Haven't thought it fully through yet but am really keen. My engine bay is manky from living in the sticks so this would be extra welcome and I'm lowered 35 mm which on the Mk4 platform means my undercarriage does take a bit of a knock sometimes. That dip in the sub frame for the dog bone mount has hit off the deck a couple of times too.
Now where to get alloy sheeting and what thickness to use, that's the next question.

 

[Brettyboy]

There was a thread on the ukmiv's recently about this, I can't remember the full thing but there was talk of this same thing. Other than the cut outs for the drivers side I can't see it being that hard to do. I think I would have a separate plate for access to the sump plug, something that just screws on maybe.
Haven't thought it fully through yet but am really keen. My engine bay is manky from living in the sticks so this would be extra welcome and I'm lowered 35 mm which on the Mk4 platform means my undercarriage does take a bit of a knock sometimes. That dip in the sub frame for the dog bone mount has hit off the deck a couple of times too.
Now where to get alloy sheeting and what thickness to use, that's the next question.

A hatch for the sump plug would be good,i was thinking maybe a 2 piece,thin sheet alloy at front & thicker alloy under the sump to form a sump guard,could attach padding from undertray for sound proofing & added protection

 

[Seatmann]

Well 3 - 4 mm thick is fairly tough and not very heavy at all so I think i would just go with that thickness all round. Not sure about bending etc but I know a man who does lol

 

[Brettyboy]

3-4mm would give plenty of protection

 

[n1ff]

I've never had an undertray on mine. I've also had the side bits removed

 

[Dozer360]

I just noticed mine is hanging on in pieces that have been cable tied back together by the previous owner.
Any ideas on how much these alloy ones cost?

 

[Brettyboy]

I just noticed mine is hanging on in pieces that have been cable tied back together by the previous owner.
Any ideas on how much these alloy ones cost?

It would have 2 b made,someone one another thread has said he thinking of making them

 

[turboboy111]

my under tray had been lost as soon as i bought it unfortunately I live in the sticks and my engine bay is getting very manky! iv just had to buy a replacement engine for my car and have painted the block e.c.t and really want a new under tray to keep the bay allot cleaner!

I have found one on ebay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-SKODA-...90310&pid=100011&prg=1016&rk=1&#ht_1652wt_962

not sure on quality however I don't want to be spending £63 on one!

i have been looking into metal/alloy sump guards popular over in the states but cant find any in uk so would have to be made, I would like to make a tdi 150 style long version any one got any measurements?

 

[Seatmann]

They're just skid plates to protect the sump, they don't cover the underneath and stop muck getting in. I've just picked up a big sheet of galvanized steel that I'm going to use, make me a nice belly pan and finally stop the muck getting up into the bay.
My engine bay is total mank just now as i also live i the sticks.

 

[Brettyboy]

I've just picked up a big sheet of galvanized steel that I'm going to use, make me a nice belly pan.

Be interested to see how you get on,can you post pics of it when u've done i ?

 

[Seatmann]

Yeh no worries, it can't be that hard anyway, just a sheet with a couple of bends at each side. I'll also need to add some bracing maybe to stiffen it up and prevent it sounding like a rolf harris tune while driving lol

 

[Brettyboy]

I'll also need to add some bracing maybe to stiffen it up and prevent it sounding like a rolf harris tune while driving lol

 

[Muttley]

You will need to fabricate some mounts to attach your sumpguard to the engine bearer rails. The undertray is only attached to the plastic bumper at the front and plastic side curtains, so if you replace it with a metal plate you'll end up cracking the bumper.

 

[Seatmann]

I'm running it up the sides to attach to the front chassis legs where the plastic ones go. I'll also be attaching it to the subframe at the back, not sure about the front, might just bend it up in side the bumper but not attached as such.

 

[Brettyboy]

Fitting the back of it to the subframe should be easy enough,maybe fabricate some brackets off the crash support bar behind the bumper

 

[Seatmann]

Yeh I was just thinking about that, I don't think it'll need much but just a little something to make it more secure wouldn't go a miss. I need to also think about access to the sump so I'm not sure wether to have a detachable plate or just use some sort of plastic rawplug type thing so the screws don't seize in.

 

[Dozer360]

Is there some kind of ducting that it needs? I think I read about ducting somewhere.

 

[Seatmann]

Probably just something to prevent air getting trapped, I could just put some holes in it.

 

[turboboy111]

They're just skid plates to protect the sump, they don't cover the underneath and stop muck getting in. I've just picked up a big sheet of galvanized steel that I'm going to use, make me a nice belly pan and finally stop the muck getting up into the bay.
My engine bay is total mank just now as i also live i the sticks.

when you make this if you could do a build thread think that would be amazingly helpful, how much was the sheet and where did you get it from?