Just finished DOI skid plate prototype
 

This will be powder coated and the bolts replaced with flathead allens for an even cleaner look. I wanted seemless and robust protection from the winch bumper backwards and that's what I got after a weekend with Matt at DeFelice Offroad. I will say more after I get a chance to beat it up this weekend. For now here's a picture:

Attachment 22546

Re: Just finished DOI skid plate prototype
 

Hmmm. Interesting. Anything that is stronger than the tinfoil shield that is provided now is a big improvement.




I do worry a bit about mud and heat build up with the solid plates shown where the OE tubular protection would typically go...

Re: Just finished DOI skid plate prototype
 

Nice bjc,

is there anyway to make the front part one angle (smooth) without the step down?

Let us know when it will be available

Re: Just finished DOI skid plate prototype
 

The break provides a solid mounting surface to the frame - not sure if this is avoidable or not.

Regarding availability - Matt has the dimensions recorded and is likely ready to fabricate more as demand arises. I suppose he would incorporate design changes if I provided negative feedback, but like I said, I have not had a chance to test yet.

Re: Just finished DOI skid plate prototype
 

I guess it is plenty solid then and in several pieces for service access?

Good Job

Re: Just finished DOI skid plate prototype
 

Very nice. I like...:cool:

Re: Just finished DOI skid plate prototype
 

ok, I'll bite. A couple questions:

Thickness?

Have you tested full of mud (between skid plate and T-case)?

Any ventilation?

Please provide details of mounting points

Weight?

In the absence of any answers I have the following comments:

That's gonna weight 100# at least (3/16). Any less thickess and Steve from San Jose might as well use it. And the weight will have a significant impact on vehicle performance.

No ventilation=burned up tranny/t-case. I'd recommend adding a (free) transmission temp gauge. Too much and shut it down. Without a tranny temp test, I wouldn't recommend this to my worst enemy (mostly because it will break down on the trail and I'll be obligated to help them out no matter what).

Unless that's a fully sealed unit, mud will get up in between the tranny/t-case and skid plate. BAD NEWS. It will never come out. See tranny temp above.

Other than those fundamentals, at least it looks good. At a connoisseur of ghetto engineering, I have to give this (absent any responses) a C-. Many people who want to look good will love it, those that use their vehicles should avoid it because of the potential issues. Perfect for a Jeep Liberty...

Re: Just finished DOI skid plate prototype
 

If he is planning on producing these there's a couple things I'd be concerned about.

1. What if you don't have the winch bumper? Will it transition okay with a stock bumper?
2. IMO the bumper should overlap the skid plate in the front.
3. I'd definitely want some kind of ventilation on the back half. If he's gonna sell it in 2-3 pieces that would work so you could use the OEM UCP.

Re: Just finished DOI skid plate prototype
 

I think i'll bite back. First off, I don't understand how the weight is going to have a huge impact on the vehicle performance. Do you hesitate to invite friends to go wheeling with you in fear of it effecting your h3's performance? Not to mention the fact that it isnt effecting the center gravity. Especially not anymore then anyones gobi roofrack.
If i was worried about vehicle weight my first choice of vehicle would not be a 4700 pound suv powered by an inline 5.
I don't think the tranny and transfercase heating up is going to be a problem. Indy cars are fully panned underneath and sit low as hell to the ground yet they dont have any cooling issues. If you bring up the side vents then look at desert trucks. There running thousands of miles at a time with bigger tires and motors and they are holding up. It looks to me in the picture that is posted the exhaust is sitting outside of the skidplate anyways. Even if for some reason my tranny were to overheat i would rather that happen then the darn thing to get smashed on a rock or the pan to crack and leak fluid out on the trail. Tread lightly wouldnt be to happy.
As for mud getting stuck in between it and never being able to get it out, it looks like the fabricator did a good job of keeping that in mind. I see quite a few holes for that problem. Not to mention you can just pressure wash it out.
It looks like the mounting points are pretty good useing the factory crossmembers. By the looks of the companys website it doesnt look that ghetto to me. If i was going to build a skid plate theres not much I would change. I see alot of good products coming out from smaller companys or just guys building it in there garage that someone always comes along and bashes. But you'll have that when you get a bunch of web wheelers going in and out of forums.

Re: Just finished DOI skid plate prototype
 

Good rebuttal. I think most concerns could be handled with some ventilation added. Easy to do.

I don't think cleaning would be an issue, if you actually "clean" the truck, pressure washing is just part of it.

Weight?... who cares, not enough to worry about. Only if you are installing, and some of the H2 guys on this board have installed UCP that weighs in excess of 100 lbs.

Looks nice to me, knowing that it is a "prototype"

I'm just glad someone is actually MAKING products for the H3.

Thanks Matt:D :D


PS, I'm not a "web wheeler"

Re: Just finished DOI skid plate prototype
 

I love the sliding action of a solid skid plate, but it looks like this setup encases the drivetrain and exhaust. That would seal out mud, but seal in a lot of heat. My Blazer Zr2 had solid plates (stock from the factory), but there was plenty of airflow around and over them to cool the underbody.

Mud isn't a big issue with me since there's not a lot where I wheel, but heat buildup in the deserts and high country is. The auto tranny has a cooling system, but the xfer case and manual tranny depend on airflow to cool off. And since I'm getting a 5 spd, I'd want a lot of ventilation and maybe some drain holes under there.

Let's see a side view!

Re: Just finished DOI skid plate prototype
 

ok, so the weight isn't an issue, I'm still curious as to thickness.

and I'm still not convinced this won't overheat the drivetrain. Take a fully open drivetrain and enclose it, and it's going to generate heat (even at 5-10 mph). Too much? I dunno, but those are usually long-term issues, so a temp gauge would be in order (anyone know what they run now?)

I wasn't concerned about the cleaning of the mud, more about it getting trapped between the solid plate and t-case or tranny. With the UCP, it's an open frame design, and most mud won't stay or will get washed out when you are driving in the rain (or by pressure washer). With a fully enclosed plate, you are going to get mud up in areas that doesn't even come out - the holes I saw don't look like it would be as easy to get the mud out. I guess time will tell.

I'm a huge fan of anyone doing this. Been working on my own because I'm too cheap to buy the UCP (but a busted wrist prevents me from doing anything right now). I'd just want to make sure there's some thought put into more than 'It will protect you from the rocks' - there are other things to worry about too.

Re: Just finished DOI skid plate prototype
 

Ok - here's naked H3 (OEM front skid plate still attached):

Attachment 22593

Prototype Front Skid:

Attachment 22595

Prototype Back Skid:

Attachment 22594

Re: Just finished DOI skid plate prototype
 

TO answer the thikness 3/16
the weight about 85 pounds
ventilation -if i go into production thare will be more slots and holes. the exhaust is off to the passenger side of the plate. as far as mud yes it will get in there but if you wash the truck you can also remove it. Over heating the t case does not seem to have affected Brians 10 hour drive from indy to DC.
the mountig points will be crush-nut zerts,along with the oem holes.

I bilt this skid plate so when you bash some thing under the truck you know what it is,and can stay in it if so you choose. it is the proto and made in about 15 hrs. if i get some intrest from it i will go in production.

As far as the skider being "ghetto engineering" all i can say is wow, never thought i would hear that in this forum. thanks for the input . i thought that H2 and H3 owners would like some hardcore parts too i hope some of you like it ,let me know . more pics at WWW.defeliceinnovations.com

Re: Just finished DOI skid plate prototype
 

Matt DOI,

I am one of the lucky guys that got your winch system through HummerSolutions. I'm definately interested in this underprotection plate.

If the construction of this skid plate is similar to your winch kit, let me tell you guys, he makes quality product!

PM me some more info on price and when availability would be.

One more thing. The winch system currently doesnt have holes for the skid plate you have built. Is this something that I would need to do myself with a drill?

Re: Just finished DOI skid plate prototype
 

one more thing.

is this one piece from the winch all the way to the back? The reason I ask is, dont you have to remove the front shield when changing oil?

It would be a pain to have to remove the whole skid plate to change oil.

M