So, i just crawled under the impreza w/ a tapemeasure and wrote down some stuff, ideas for the skidplate, etc..

So here's what i came up with

So, i mapped out possible mounting points etc... skidplate 'A' i'd need to get more steel for... i currently have enough steel to make skidplate 'B'

So, the pro's & cons of these.. and remember that the tube bumper will be about 60lbs...

These numbers are based on that 1/8" plate weights 5lbs/ft^2

A

-Covers the entire engine block & headers & keeps stuff from smashing directly into the steering rack.

-38"x21"x1/8"

-Will weight roughly 24.5lbs

-Cut off tow hooks

-Pain to remove

-Mounts to swaypar mounting points

 

B

-Will cover the oilpan, and some exaust pipe.

-15.5"x21"x1/8"

-Will weight roughly 11.3lbs

-Easier to remove

-Mounts to 'jacking plate' mounting points/crossmember

 

So with that said..any ideas of what i should do? i don't think i'm going to end up attaching it directly to the radiator support, i think i'm just going to get another piece and bring it up to the bumper when i finnish up that project.

I'm sort of leaning towards option B, because i have the plate already... and it won't weigh a ton.

ideas? better points to mount to?

If you do mount to the jacking plate note that it will get smashed up if you leave it stock. Mine was pretty radically bent. I worked it back into shape, and added gussets on the inside of it to keep it from bending again. So far so good.

 

Lower radiator support is a bad option - they get smashed pretty easy. Mine just keeps getting flatter. I'm going with the bumper mount for the front. It needs serious improvement tho. Bracing back into the framerail, and maybe to the firewall.

 

GD

how about extending it a little, and just bolting up to where the jacking plate would be, and take it up to all 4 of those bolts?

mm.. lots of projects... working on a hamock stand too

If you're serious about offroading, the option A is your best bet. If you are budget minded, go with B. If it were me, go A.

go both....double the protection

 

 

 

once i get some time...ill be under my impreza with some carboard...figuring out where what will go

 

 

 

if i didnt have to use mine as a daily driver i would go with a full underbody armor.....i could get steel really cheap(not so much aluminum tho)..even the fancy diamond plated if i ever wanted new "carpet"

 

kovatch's (KME) headquarters are located in my town...and tons of my buddies work there building firetrucks

Geez,all i have is a stock skid plate from a loyale and it's mounted to the rad support and jackin plate..

 

i better get a better job so i can start some of these mods....

I picked up a piece of 15.5"x24" 1/8" plate for 8 bucks in VT... it's not that expensive i may end up going w/ A in the long run.. but i think for now B will have to do, i'm using the edges of the plate for the endcaps on my bumper

I picked up a piece of 15.5"x24" 1/8" plate for 8 bucks in VT... it's not that expensive i may end up going w/ A in the long run.. but i think for now B will have to do, i'm using the edges of the plate for the endcaps on my bumper

 

Hmm...$8 bucks,maybe i'll give it some better thinking.i just hope i don't need to do any major bending or welding..

what's the name of that place in VT again? I'm over there quite a bit now and my gf's brother lives there and comes back every weekend... can't beat $8

Capitol Steel, Montpielier Vt, if you get off on exit 8, off of I-89, you head down the only way it lets you, and i think it's the 1st road on the left, it sort of doubles back under the highway, right after going under the highway there's a right turn, take it, and on the left there's some HUGE warehouses, with a big sign that says 'capitol steel', go in the office, and the guy there is very helpful.

It's helpful to call ahead, because if you want any plate sheared you have to let them know 48 hours in advance, and the guys are only there until 3pm every day, so if you order up the stuff ahead of time, you can put it up till like.. 5pm i think.. i believe this is the number: (802) 223-3950

what about using a rally type material such as 1/2" HDPE or 1/4" 6061 aluminum? or is slide-ability a concern so you want steel? HDPE would slide pretty well and is cheap at a plastic shop. easy to work with also

http://www.joelrasmus.com/gallery/v/rides/t4r/skid/