<center><img src="http://www.enteract.com/~cipher/rallycross/skidplate1.JPG"></center><p>Not that it's all that important.

Sorry for the poor quality, APS cameras don't take very good pictures.
This shows the back of the frame welded to the frame horn. If it looks dirty, it is. You can see the back of the skidplate on the left.

<center><img src="http://www.enteract.com/~cipher/rallycross/skidplate2.JPG"></center><p>This shows the full length of the plate. It completely covers the oil pan. The exhaust sits a little low. I need to get it closer to the car so I can have another piece extend back to cover the transmission.

The plate works - it got used, as you can see by the globs of dirt. It fits pretty well underneath the bumper, but you can see some deformation in the lower valence. They had to cut away a portion to get the bumper back on.

<center><img src="http://www.enteract.com/~cipher/rallycross/skidplate3.JPG"></center><p>Here you can see the frame that the plate is attached to. It's really heavy duty stuff. It is about 10 times stronger than I need at this point, but if I go to full rally prep, I don't have to worry about the skidplate.

<center><img src="http://www.enteract.com/~cipher/rallycross/skidplate4.JPG"></center><p>Head on view. You really can't see the plate head on, unless you get on the ground. The car is jacked up and my driveway slants down outside the garage.

I still need to get off my butt and install the mud flaps.

Mike,

May I ask who did it and how much?

Also, it might not be important for RallyX, but the tranny is still exposed, and...

Are you going to protect the rear differential and fuel system?

Otherwise, it looks like a good job, it seems that it will deflect any impact from the ruts.

Don't worry about being dirty, clean rally cars only happens at Parc Expose.

Good Luck on your RallyX,

Carlos.

My biggest concern at this point is the exhaust - it hangs down lower than the bottom of the skidplate. It wouldn't take a very hard hit to seperate a flange. You're right about the tranny & the rear diff, though. If I want to do anything more than rallyx, I'll need to have them taken care of. I'll probably use some UHMW around the fuel tank. Also, at some point, I'll need to have the control arms seam welded. I was told (by someone with a lot of experience rallying 4kq's) they bend very easily.

It was fabricated and installed by Davenport Racing in Minneapolis. Cost $450. I would highly recommend these guys.

Thanks for the info.

I believe that UHMW is the right choice for the other parts.

If you have concerns regarding the exhaust, you might consider putting a diverter in front of it. It won't protect hits from the bottom, but it will avoid that rocks hit it.

If you don't know what is a diverter, it is like a mud flap in front of the piece you want to protect. Saab cars have them protecting the rear suspension/brakes.

Good luck on your RallyX,

Carlos.