Undertray
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7th Gear
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Undertray
So I originally posted this in the diesel only forum and realized that I had made a mistake as this really pertains to any obs truck so anyway....
Hello all,
As winter is just around the corner I have been starting to think of how to prep my vehicle for the winter weather here. I just put on new tires and am working through maintaince items to be sure all is good. My question is was there ever an undertray for these trucks or do any companies make an aftermarket undertray / skidplate for the engine? During the winter in my area we get tons of road salt. If I could prevent this from getting into the engine bay at least partially it will do worlds of good for the trucks longevity. Thoughts and ideas are welcome. Or has anyone tried to fabricate their own undertray? I am open to fabricating ( I can weld and all that good stuff) but would prefer a professionally made product if one exists.
p.s. I have looked around on Google unsuccessfully. However I have found in the past with many other rare vehicles usually the product does exist you just need to know where to look.... and I don't know where to look for obs trucks yet.
Hello all,
As winter is just around the corner I have been starting to think of how to prep my vehicle for the winter weather here. I just put on new tires and am working through maintaince items to be sure all is good. My question is was there ever an undertray for these trucks or do any companies make an aftermarket undertray / skidplate for the engine? During the winter in my area we get tons of road salt. If I could prevent this from getting into the engine bay at least partially it will do worlds of good for the trucks longevity. Thoughts and ideas are welcome. Or has anyone tried to fabricate their own undertray? I am open to fabricating ( I can weld and all that good stuff) but would prefer a professionally made product if one exists.
p.s. I have looked around on Google unsuccessfully. However I have found in the past with many other rare vehicles usually the product does exist you just need to know where to look.... and I don't know where to look for obs trucks yet.
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7th Gear
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Maybe they are more common on ifs trucks but surely some people use these on farms and such and have put pipes branches rocks etc through oil pan, filter or something else and would want to prevent this. I was looking underneath and it doesn't really seem as though it would be a horribly difficult build. It could mount in front on radiator lower bracket, holes near where sway bar mounts, and make a custom bracket for near the rear of the engine on the frame. That would be 5 or 6 points of solid contact all of which would be relatively simple (just have to be sure not to hit the radiator when drilling into support.... haha that would stink!!)
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,190
Likes: 620
I've never felt the need for one, other than skidplate under the transfer case on some trucks, if it hangs down too low. I'm from a cold part of the world, and we just used block heaters, oil pan heaters, and grille blankets in the winter, no need to seal off the underside of the truck.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,781
Likes: 2,422
It seems to me that whatever got past the pan would be trapped in there. I would recommend spraying the bottom of the truck with one of the oil based products. A member here ( JFF20 ) did that to his truck and it did a really good job of protecting the frame and undercarriage. You can see the results of that in his rebuild thread.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 5,215
Likes: 803
Without being able to seal around the engine /trans AND securely mount without some severe custom working, the concept is a good one only for skid purposes off road, like the farm idea. The fact it can not be sealed is going to mean that stuff will get in from the road, and stuff that gets in will have trouble getting out. Then it holds the stuff you were avoiding on it defeating yoour purpose. depending on the air flow of the vehicle design(which may actually be the case for OBS) you could introduce a NVH issue or cause the air flow from the front to have resistance and reduce cooling efficiency
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,324
Likes: 289
From: Laramie, WY
Typically the body and frame will rot to the point of a safety issue before a bit of salt spray takes out the engine. I wouldn't worry about it. Wash the truck, low pressure under hood.
The front axle and cross member protect the oil pan pretty well off road. I've wheeled lots of rocks and never had a concern for the engine. Diffs, bumpers, radius arms, tie rods, shock mounts, sway bar end links: those all take a beating or are prone to. The trans (no factory skid) and T-case (easy to find factory skid) are items that could use more protection from impact with skids. The side mount fuel tank could too, but then the cab ought to have rock sliders by then, and your into some big rocks! None of the protection should mount to the body: frame only in my opinion.
The front axle and cross member protect the oil pan pretty well off road. I've wheeled lots of rocks and never had a concern for the engine. Diffs, bumpers, radius arms, tie rods, shock mounts, sway bar end links: those all take a beating or are prone to. The trans (no factory skid) and T-case (easy to find factory skid) are items that could use more protection from impact with skids. The side mount fuel tank could too, but then the cab ought to have rock sliders by then, and your into some big rocks! None of the protection should mount to the body: frame only in my opinion.
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