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Finally got chance to take pictures of GV underside after the trip to Leh.
The overall inspection shows that there were some marks (abrasion) on the skid plates due to underbody touching / banging on rocks but there was no de-formation.
The front right edge needs to be re-tucked. but this did not cause any problems.
The CAT chamber has a little dent too. The cross member was not covered and showed some scratch marks too.
The over all impact on silencer pipe almost at the rear was maximum. This is also the lowest area and since it is on rubber holders it tends to sway. But this is not critical problem.

Sudev..how heavy are these aluminium plates ? As per the maruti website, the ground clearance of the GV is 200mm, so by installing these skid plates, the GC gets reduced by abt approx 5 mm ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by sudev
(Post 1060529)
The over all impact on silencer pipe almost at the rear was maximum. This is also the lowest area and since it is on rubber holders it tends to sway. But this is not critical problem. |
Looks like your rear diff was protected by the silencer. This part is between the rear tyres, how did it get battered to much?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shakensoul
(Post 1060814)
Sudev..how heavy are these aluminium plates ? As per the maruti website, the ground clearance of the GV is 200mm, so by installing these skid plates, the GC gets reduced by abt approx 5 mm ? |
Not true. The GC on the specs refer to the lowest point in the center of the vehicle. The skid plates are not installed at the lowest point, it is above the exhaust pipe.
What would be the use of skid plate if it were not the lowest part of the vehicle.
In effect your silencer could get pulled if it protruded below the the skid plate.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Samurai
(Post 1060837)
Looks like your rear diff was protected by the silencer. This part is between the rear tyres, how did it get battered to much?
Not true. The GC on the specs refer to the lowest point in the center of the vehicle. The skid plates are not installed at the lowest point, it is above the exhaust pipe. |
Quote:
Originally Posted by MM440
(Post 1060855)
What would be the use of skid plate if it were not the lowest part of the vehicle.
In effect your silencer could get pulled if it protruded below the the skid plate. |
Jammy, if you see the first page of this thread, you would see that my skid plates were designed to protect the exhaust pipes. However, that brought down the GC royally. It started scraping even while going over speed bumps. Now I have removed the rear plates completely, no problem of scraping ever since. Sudev obviously learnt from my mistake and put his skid plates above the exhaust pipe which is not a critical part, it can take beating and still keep going.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MM440
(Post 1060855)
What would be the use of skid plate if it were not the lowest part of the vehicle. |
The intention is not to make end to end cover but to give protection to critical parts. Engine sump/fuel tank etc which if damaged would end up stranding you.
The differential is quite high and silencer tube was damaged earlier also due to usage in last raid and storm without skid plates. Needs a little more investigation/comparison with earlier pictures how damage was caused in this trip.
Okay so here are before and after pictures. The first is just after the skid plates were made.
This is after the trip to Leh.
I need to get under the ramp again and examine if that is a pin hole in the exhaust pipe just before the pipe is deformed.
Starting to get skid plates for my Vitara. I will get it done from the same place as suggested by Sudev. But before starting i would like to get feedback from current users about the points to be taken care based on their expereince.
Sudev's design is lot better. Mine I have only retained the front two plates now. This week I had the opportunity to look under. This is how it looks after two seasons of bad roads. Sorry about the poor mobile camera shot.

It has taken quite many beatings, seems to have done its work well.
I would like to know which part will hit first when the break over angle is not enough and is that protected in the design?
About the thickness of the sheet, is the 3mm embossed enough or shall I go for a thicker one?
Go with chequered plates and not plain aluminium sheet. Former are much more resistant to bending. IMHO 3mm should be good.
Mine is 6mm thick, with checkered plate even 3mm should do well.
So checkered plate is tougher , then cost wise also it should be costlier ? .Is checkered plate the right technical term ?
Skid plates need to have smooth surface to be functional ?
Atleast in desert safari vehicles its like that.
Some longitudinal corrugation is also provided to increase strength(& looks).
i was having a line of thought like that. (something which helps to skid over obstacles stupid:)
correct me if I am wrong.
A Functional Skid plate not only protects the vehicle's underbody, but also makes tow out recovery lot easier.
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