[Zachary]

Hey all.
I have just brought my first car (Jimny Sierra) and was wondering if there are any recommended materials I should use to make Bash plates as I have to make something for a school assignment as i am tight for money now. Thanks in advance for the help.

[Gwagensteve]

Which bit are you seeking to protect? Bashplate design and construction is quite complex.

3.0mm steel is typical for something like a fuel tank plate.

[Zachary]

Thanks for the Help Gwagensteve. I am looking at making the whole thing but with some research, I have changed my mind. Would you know of any good bash plates for Sierras?

[Gwagensteve]

I believe there are transfer case and fuel tank skids available. There are also some small skids for the radius arm brackets on the chassis etc.

From memory the electric shift wiring for the transfer case is a little bit vulnerable, other than that there isn't much to worry about under the car.

I don't believe the fuel tank is particularly vulnerable, unlike a sierra. (you have a Jimny - use that for any research going forward. ("Jimny Sierra" was a badge applied late in the previous models life to add credibility)

Full length/width skid plates AKA "belly pans" aren't very practical in my opinion. They trap mud and debris against the moving parts of the car. They reflect mechanical noise and heat into the cabin, and if/when the vehicle is stuck in mud, they create a huge suction effect that makes the car hard to recover. The car also really has to be built around the skid plate, as they only work when they're flat lots of notches, bolt heads and bumps make them less useful.

I built a Sierra with a full pan many years ago. It took massive work to the chassis rails, transfer mounts etc to make it all work, and the pan has never been fitted due to the reasons above.

[Zachary]

Thanks so much with all your help on this one. You have been great