Underside protection - how much?

[ProjectDirector]

I like to get some idea from everyone's experience on much underside protection you give your Defender.
I am only planning to give my new 110 only a steering/sump protection based on my previous experience.

What are your thoughts and experience?

Cheers

[Summiitt]

I have always run my defenders across paddocks and fire trails for work, only ever put front diff protectors on them and have never had a drama. Hit plenty of hidden rocks and stumps but the diff guards have copped a hiding including dented chassis cross bars, they are pretty well designed for cross country work, everything is tucked up out of the way...

[Lorryman100]

If you are getting a Puma I would recommend a fuel cooler guard as the return hoses are pretty exposed and are easily removed by a wayward branch etc. I have one fitted along with a steering guard and QT diff guards, the rear one has a slider and protects the UJ of the rear prop at the Diff.

There are a few different types of cooler guard but I prefer the Entreq one as it covers a fair section of the under side.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/04/1382.jpg

http://www.entreq.de/products-lr-defender/protection/schutzplatte-fur-kraftstoffkuhler/schutzplatte-fur-kraftstoffkuhler.html

Brian

[POD]

If you are getting a Puma I would recommend a fuel cooler guard as the return hoses are pretty exposed and are easily removed by a wayward branch etc. I have one fitted along with a steering guard and QT diff guards, the rear one has a slider and protects the UJ of the rear prop at the Diff.

There are a few different types of cooler guard but I prefer the Entreq one as it covers a fair section of the under side.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/04/1382.jpg

http://www.entreq.de/products-lr-defender/protection/schutzplatte-fur-kraftstoffkuhler/schutzplatte-fur-kraftstoffkuhler.html

Brian


A fuel cooler guard is on the must-get list for my 130, those hoses do look delicate and vulnerable, and a potential stranding failure.
Lorryman, these large under-body trays are not favoured here in Oz as they have a habit of gathering spinifex (a native grass) in outback country which results in vehicle fires.

[camel_landy]

My 110 has the following:


Steering Guard
Front & rear diff guards
Fuel tank guard

FWIW - None of the Camel Trophy vehicles ever had diff guards fitted.

The cars at work only have steering guards but if I was kitting out a new car, I think I'd only bother with steering & diff guards these days.

M

[goingbush]

everything is tucked up out of the way...

huhh !!!

have you noticed how low and vulnerable your track rod is, weak as. Only think Ive really bent in 35 yrs or 4x4ing is a number of track rods
I even bent one running over a dead wombat .


I dont know about pumas, but I never run any underside protection ,except for a recently new front diff cover.

I also just cottoned onto the offset track rod which I now think is a must have
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/04/1444.jpg

the last thing you need is guards and covers that are going to catch spinnifex & grasses , = fire hazard.

[ProjectDirector]

I see a bit of a mixed bag here and I suppose depends on the type of driving you do.

I guess a good risk analysis where the vehicle is going to go and that will determine how much protection you will need.

I will need to check under the car when it arrives next month and make that decision then.

[Loubrey]

My current 90 has the following fitted under body:

Front Runner Steering Guard
QT Diff Guard
D44 Track Rod Guard

Considering the amount of scrapes and gashes in both I would hate to know which part of the car's chassis and mechanical bits would have taken the brunt. I have lived in Pilbara for 14 months which had the car climbing football sized boulder piles and rock fields nearly every weekend, so back to your personal application... I have also had a couple of high speed encounters with the local wild life and between the bull bar and the steering guard the deflecting the carcass under the car, suffered no damage to track rods or dampeners.

I have also in the garage (waiting for warranty expiry in 3 weeks) a D44 Puma Fuel Cooler Guard and a D44 Puma Transmission Guard from Devon 4x4. The transmission guard is a skinny deflector type skid rather than a spinifex gathering cover plate just offering peace of mind on the transmission protrusions. Same with the cooler guard which you won't need for 99.9% of the time, but all you need is that 0.1% chance of a stick or branch flicking up and the car goes nowhere until the cooler is replaced.

Land Rover (http://www.devon4x4.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=1013335&Itemid=14)

As always, horses for courses. My African Defenders were protected for the environment (which was reasonable limited) and my UK Defenders had little or no additional protection, but Australia offers a few extra challenges depending on where you choose to drive and I prefer having the protection in place.

Cheers,

Lou

[Lotz-A-Landies]

If you are going out in the spinnifex grasslands of central Australia don't fit any guards underneath, particularly near any source of heat like the exhaust pipe.

Guards are a fire risk as they catch the grass and the heat causes it to ignite.

Diana

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/04/1468.jpg

[ProjectDirector]

My current 90 has the following fitted under body:

Front Runner Steering Guard
QT Diff Guard
D44 Track Rod Guard

Considering the amount of scrapes and gashes in both I would hate to know which part of the car's chassis and mechanical bits would have taken the brunt. I have lived in Pilbara for 14 months which had the car climbing football sized boulder piles and rock fields nearly every weekend, so back to your personal application... I have also had a couple of high speed encounters with the local wild life and between the bull bar and the steering guard the deflecting the carcass under the car, suffered no damage to track rods or dampeners.

I have also in the garage (waiting for warranty expiry in 3 weeks) a D44 Puma Fuel Cooler Guard and a D44 Puma Transmission Guard from Devon 4x4. The transmission guard is a skinny deflector type skid rather than a spinifex gathering cover plate just offering peace of mind on the transmission protrusions. Same with the cooler guard which you won't need for 99.9% of the time, but all you need is that 0.1% chance of a stick or branch flicking up and the car goes nowhere until the cooler is replaced.

Land Rover (http://www.devon4x4.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=1013335&Itemid=14)

As always, horses for courses. My African Defenders were protected for the environment (which was reasonable limited) and my UK Defenders had little or no additional protection, but Australia offers a few extra challenges depending on where you choose to drive and I prefer having the protection in place.

Cheers,

Lou

You made a good point there, if a component stops the car from running then it is a must from protecting

[Summiitt]

huhh !!!

have you noticed how low and vulnerable your track rod is, weak as. Only think Ive really bent in 35 yrs or 4x4ing is a number of track rods
I even bent one running over a dead wombat .


I dont know about pumas, but I never run any underside protection ,except for a recently new front diff cover.

I also just cottoned onto the offset track rod which I now think is a must have
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/04/1444.jpg

the last thing you need is guards and covers that are going to catch spinnifex & grasses , = fire hazard.

If all you have bent in all that time is a few track rods then I'd say every thing is tucked up out of the way..bent track rods arnt a show stopper, you can still get home.

[goingbush]

If all you have bent in all that time is a few track rods then I'd say every thing is tucked up out of the way..bent track rods arnt a show stopper, you can still get home.

How true, poetic justice, never not been able to get home in any Landy I've owned.

Only 4WD I've never been able to get home in was an 80 series Toyota, and that was over 5000klm from home :o

[n plus one]

How true, poetic justice, never not been able to get home in any Landy I've owned.

Only 4WD I've never been able to get home in was an 80 series Toyota, and that was over 5000klm from home :o

What brand track rod is that - mine's bent and needs replacing :p

[goingbush]

RockWare tie rod from expedition exchange USA, could not find any local or UK.

[mools]

I like the look of the offset track rod, but I reckon it'd be near impossible to straighten and sleeve if it did bend.

For that reason I'll stick with the standard straight one, which I know I can repair, and the length of steel water pipe / breaker bar / mercy killer / replacement hi lift handle / bush torque wrench that I carry round with which I can sleeve it ;).

Ian.

[cewilson]

In relation to fitting protection - make sure everything can still get air flow otherwise you may induce heating issues with components.

[ProjectDirector]

In relation to fitting protection - make sure everything can still get air flow otherwise you may induce heating issues with components.

Yes agree. Some steering guards are supplied with holes, that will help ventilation
http://www.aptfabrications.com.au/defender/product/6-defender-steering-guard-af1020

[ProjectDirector]

If you are getting a Puma I would recommend a fuel cooler guard as the return hoses are pretty exposed and are easily removed by a wayward branch etc. I have one fitted along with a steering guard and QT diff guards, the rear one has a slider and protects the UJ of the rear prop at the Diff.

There are a few different types of cooler guard but I prefer the Entreq one as it covers a fair section of the under side.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/04/1382.jpg

http://www.entreq.de/products-lr-defender/protection/schutzplatte-fur-kraftstoffkuhler/schutzplatte-fur-kraftstoffkuhler.html

Brian

Brian

Did you have to import this guard or is there a retailer here in Australia?

Sozos

[Loubrey]

Our man Brian's title block says he lives in Scotland...:)

Entreq only sells directly from Germany. Their products are absolutely superb, but with that level of engineering and finish goes a premium price tag!

I've looked at some of their finishers and trim items (small and light) and the parcel service is rudely expensive...

Cheers,

Lou

[ProjectDirector]

Our man Brian's title block says he lives in Scotland...:)

Entreq only sells directly from Germany. Their products are absolutely superb, but with that level of engineering and finish goes a premium price tag!

I've looked at some of their finishers and trim items (small and light) and the parcel service is rudely expensive...

Cheers,

Lou

Have to agree, very expensive. I was mainly looking at the fuel cooler example which I haven't located any locally yet. The steering guard I will be sourcing from APT FABRICATION in QLD which has two recovery points incorporated.

Cheers

[86mud]

Terrafirma make a transmission guard for the 110 defender. I had to modify it to suit the 130. I have the offset track rod which I purchased from Keith at Roving tracks. Great bit of kit.

Pictures of guard:

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/131210-terrafirma-transmission-guard-tf856-installation-help-2.html

[Naks]

I have a Frontrunner steering guard and that's it. Good thing too, after the last trail we did I saw it got banged up with a nasty dent :o

[ProjectDirector]

General consensus is steering and fuel cooler guards will be sufficient:)

[S_Squirel]

My Td5 has steering and front diff guards.

I took the rear guard off when I installed the long range tank, really to remind myself I need to be careful. Anything that would hit the rear diff will rip the tank off!

Shane

[jc109]

Our man Brian's title block says he lives in Scotland...:)

Entreq only sells directly from Germany. Their products are absolutely superb, but with that level of engineering and finish goes a premium price tag!

I've looked at some of their finishers and trim items (small and light) and the parcel service is rudely expensive...

Cheers,

Lou

Hi Lou,

Have you checked recently? I'd been eyeing off the rear mudguard brackets (for a 110) for some time but held off due to their freight costs. I emailed to ask if this was changing any time soon and was told it was imminent. I kept checking their site and finally bought once I spotted the new shipping option. $8 IIRC.

BTW, I highly recommend those reinforcing brackets. Great, simple bit of kit.

Cheers,

James

[Loubrey]

Hi JC,

I was looking at some of their finishings (stainless steel cover strips) to finish off the new matting system I had ordered. I've not been on their site for a while though!

The matting worked out more expensive than I initially anticipated (heavy with associated airfreight cost), so the "pretty stuff" will have to wait for a bit.

I'll definitely keep and eye on that though as I'd imagine the strips would be tubed and even if it takes 2 to 3 weeks it would be $8.00 well spent!

Cheers,

Lou

[n plus one]

Hi Lou,

Have you checked recently? I'd been eyeing off the rear mudguard brackets (for a 110) for some time but held off due to their freight costs. I emailed to ask if this was changing any time soon and was told it was imminent. I kept checking their site and finally bought once I spotted the new shipping option. $8 IIRC.

BTW, I highly recommend those reinforcing brackets. Great, simple bit of kit.

Cheers,

James

Any chance of some pics? I tore my rear mudflaps off a couple of times recently and am looking for bracing options.

[jc109]

I won't be able to get you a photo for a few weeks, but I've just taken another look at Entreq's site and they've got a couple of good shots on there. I'm sure they won't mind me pinching their photo as it will likely drum up custom anyway:

(from http://www.entreq.de/reinforcement-brackets-for-rear-mudflaps-defender-110.html)

[jc109]

Hi Lou,

Make that $3 and change (see below), when I purchased back in Feb 2012.

However, I just spotted something small (probably a bit smaller than what I bought last time) and tried to check out and shipping came to 55 Euros!

I think I'll e-mail them again...

[Loubrey]

Hi JC,

I was just looking at the two door strips (90) and the safari door finisher strip and the shipping was still 37.17 GBP which seems pretty steep for something that should weigh little over 500g.

Look forward to hearing if you make any inroads.

Cheers,

Lou

[mools]

Guess this is as good a place to post this as any and to save a new thread.....

Anyone got a long ranger tank fitted? Specifically the type that replaces the original and hangs a 'little bit' low on a 110?

I keep clouting mine and am starting to get a bit worried that I'm going to run out of luck and rip the bugger.

Anyone know of or made up a guard for one (or similar)? I'd appreciate any info. if anyone has done.

Cheers,

Ian.

[Symo]

I won't be able to get you a photo for a few weeks, but I've just taken another look at Entreq's site and they've got a couple of good shots on there. I'm sure they won't mind me pinching their photo as it will likely drum up custom anyway:

(from http://www.entreq.de/reinforcement-brackets-for-rear-mudflaps-defender-110.html)

Don't over complicate the rear mudflap supports. I went to bunnings and grabbed a meter length of aluminium "L" section with the horizontal part of the "L" the same length of the fold on the back of the guard.

Cut it to fit the full length of the guard, then making sure the inside of the guard inside was spotless, I used a great amount of silicon and some clamps and siliconed the aluminium "L" on the inside of the guard on the existing lip. After the silicon set I then drilled a few holes on the underside of the guard through the small side of the "L" and added a few rivets. I then drilled a bigger hole to mount the mud flap too.

It's been there for two years now. Strong as an oxe and has the added advantage of strengthing the who guard.

My 2c

[n plus one]

Don't over complicate the rear mudflap supports. I went to bunnings and grabbed a meter length of aluminium "L" section with the horizontal part of the "L" the same length of the fold on the back of the guard.

Cut it to fit the full length of the guard, then making sure the inside of the guard inside was spotless, I used a great amount of silicon and some clamps and siliconed the aluminium "L" on the inside of the guard on the existing lip. After the silicon set I then drilled a few holes on the underside of the guard through the small side of the "L" and added a few rivets. I then drilled a bigger hole to mount the mud flap too.

It's been there for two years now. Strong as an oxe and has the added advantage of strengthing the who guard.

My 2c

Yep, I did this too but I should warn you (and this probably also applies to the Entreq kit) that your mud flap mounts are now stronger than your rear quarter panels..

Can you see where I'm going with this?

[jc109]

Don't over complicate the rear mudflap supports. I went to bunnings and grabbed a meter length of aluminium "L" section with the horizontal part of the "L" the same length of the fold on the back of the guard.

Cut it to fit the full length of the guard, then making sure the inside of the guard inside was spotless, I used a great amount of silicon and some clamps and siliconed the aluminium "L" on the inside of the guard on the existing lip. After the silicon set I then drilled a few holes on the underside of the guard through the small side of the "L" and added a few rivets. I then drilled a bigger hole to mount the mud flap too.

It's been there for two years now. Strong as an oxe and has the added advantage of strengthing the who guard.

My 2c

Bear in mind the fact that this cost me less than $50 and about 20 minutes of my time. And not everyone has those materials on hand. And I don't know about you, but once I jump in the car for Bunnings it's never going to be a quick or cheap exercise...


Yep, I did this too but I should warn you (and this probably also applies to the Entreq kit) that your mud flap mounts are now stronger than your rear quarter panels..

Can you see where I'm going with this?

I think if you're sensible with this kind of set-up, and follow warnings such as yours, you're fine. I don't expect this reinforcement to prevent damage from ever occuring, and all should be well aware that this poses a greater risk in some respects.

Based on the damage I'd already sustained on the passenger's side I wanted to do something to get it back into shape and to help restore some strength to the weakened panel. When I got under the car and saw the damage to the other side that could only be due to the normal movement of the mudflap, I decided that this was the way to go.

These brackets help support a very weak panel from a very poor design, and provided you remember to remove your mudflap if you encounter anything nasty (just as we should all do anyway, and just as I failed to do some time back) then these will serve as good protection for normal driving and will be a non-issue in the rough stuff.

However, each to their own.