Underbody Protection

[Danj]

Hi All,

Took our brand spanking new Freelander 2 TD4 out on its first adventure.

Total newbies to 4wd but car was very impressive. Went up stuff and down stuff and through mud and sand and rivers without a problem.

Is now happily covered inside and out with a very impressive layer of dirt and dust (and it looked so pretty when we first got it).

Did a bit of rock hopping and manage to ding the sweet bejesus out of the underside. Specifically dinged up very thin silver metal covering over the fuel tank (I think).

Is this a concern? If so, is would some kind of underbody protection be warranted? We drove very conservatively so this is not a result of trashing the car (that will come later).

Any advice to the uneducated appreciated.

[inside]

Check this thread http://www.aulro.com/afvb/freelander/62001-g4-freelander-2-a.html

Short answer is yes, but it's expensive.

[djhampson]

Green Oval Experience in Perth are making 2 protection plates for the FL2

Services (http://www.greenovalexperience.com/fl2_tank_plate.html)

Ggharris (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/gghaggis.html)is the man to talk to.

I know my mechanic had a word to me about the sticks and other stuff that had gotten stuck between the fuel tank and the bracket that supports it.

It didn't suffer any critical damage tho only cosmetic.

The metal covering is heat shielding (I think) its very soft so just crawl underneath and straighten it out with your hands.

I'd be more concerned about the engine, transmission at the front because the bash plate that comes with the car is only really suitable for soft impacts. A rock or tree stump could really ruin your day.

[Danj]

Thanks for the advice,

I'm wondering if this is needed. Will be using the car as a means to get to nice quiet and isolated camping spots - so not strictly for 4wd as an activity in itself, but rather as a means to an end.

That said, I was really surprised how rough some of the 4wd tracks were, and how easy it was to ding the underbody (or at least that heat shielding stuff). Haven't driven on 4wd tracks before this, as driving my wee hatchback on an unsealed road was an adventure in itself!

[djhampson]

It really depends on what risk your willing to take :)

I would have invested in underbody protection had I kept the FL2. In fact its on my list of things todo to my D3.

Even with a huge lift you still run the risk of dropping down on an inconviently placed rock or log. Having some armour underneath can give you some peice of mind.

[djhampson]

The other consideration is how good is your insurance policy?

Maybe you take the risk with the knowledge that your insurance company will cover any serious damage you do?

[camel_landy]

We use the Mantec ones at work. They cover the fuel tank as well as the front sump.

HTH

M