4.3 Sump Guard

[Gods_gift]

Does anyone know of a solid sump guard or under body protection package for the 4.3?

I have to do some soft to medium off roading later this year and was wondering if anyone does an off the shelf kit to fit.

[Davrav]

Don't think you'll want to be spending this kind of money

http://www.euro4x4parts.com/parts/3sc1045-5078_aluminium_skid_plate.html

[Big Kev]

Personally GG, if I thought that I was going to take my Rav 4 somewhere that may incur the requirement of a sump guard....I just wouldn't....hate the condescending nomina of "soft roader", but it kinda gives a wee hint.....? Jist my opinion, mate, and ah cannae fight, but got big mates.......

Big Kev

[Davrav]

Some of the roads round here don't seem to have been re-surfaced since Julius's lot built them. I reckon something a bit stronger than that plastic Pizza dish under there would be benificial on occasion

One of the reasons I no longer drive a BMW is the state of local roads - got through too many suspension parts..........

[Hoovie]

Would it not be fairly easy to make your own sump guard with a bit of pep bending and welding?

[Davrav]

Would it not be fairly easy to make your own sump guard with a bit of pep bending and welding?

Most of them are simply heavy gauge aluminium plate with strategic bends. I'm pretty sure there are fixing points already in place - certainly have a vague memory of seeing some threaded holes in/around the rear diff for a diff guard so probably similar at the front. Maybe Anchs can confirm that

[Gods_gift]

Cheers for the responses im going to be acting as a support car for a local lad on forrestry type roads so just wondered if anyone did a pre made kit. I'll be towing him to and from events, doing a bit of chase car and possibly marshalling so want some protection to suit. I've made guards before but it involves some big challenges bending 10-12mm ali plate.

Ideally i just want scuff plates for the tank area 2-3mm and a 5-10mm front and rear guard with support frames. Looks like I'll need to make some. Hopefully I can make the quick release so I can whip them off when not in use.

I might phone these guys and see if they sell a template I could use.

http://www.extremeguardshop.com/english-skid-plate-for-toyota.php

Kev the Rav is a mini lc underneath you need to find a muddy field and see if you can get stuck ;)

[Big Kev]

Cheers for the responses im going to be acting as a support car for a local lad on forrestry type roads so just wondered if anyone did a pre made kit. I'll be towing him to and from events, doing a bit of chase car and possibly marshalling so want some protection to suit. I've made guards before but it involves some big challenges bending 10-12mm ali plate.

Ideally i just want scuff plates for the tank area 2-3mm and a 5-10mm front and rear guard with support frames. Looks like I'll need to make some. Hopefully I can make the quick release so I can whip them off when not in use.

I might phone these guys and see if they sell a template I could use.

http://www.extremegu...-for-toyota.php

Kev the Rav is a mini lc underneath you need to find a muddy field and see if you can get stuck ;)

Whit....? ...and take the Meguiar's Tyre Gel aff ma tyres....?

[Gods_gift]

Pampered Rav lol

[Guest]

Pampared Kev never has a bit of mud ever seens Kevs Rav, if he thinks it might get wet, he takes Charlies motor or his neighbours BMW

[Hoovie]

Well I've been picking the lumps of ice off my RAV this morning.

Scottish Summer has arrived I see!

[firemac]

Personally GG, if I thought that I was going to take my Rav 4 somewhere that may incur the requirement of a sump guard....I just wouldn't....hate the condescending nomina of "soft roader", but it kinda gives a wee hint.....? Jist my opinion, mate, and ah cannae fight, but got big mates.......

Big Kev

Hi to you & your big mates,

You'd be surprised how tough a so-called "soft roader" can be. A colleague of mine went on one of those adventure tours in Morocco (or somewhere Saharan) but discovered that for some reason there were more drivers than available vehicles. The upshot was that he & his good lady found themselves allocated a 4.2 RAV which didn't exactly fill them with confidence given all the tricked out Defenders & Discos that were being used by others. They were pleasantly surprised to find however that during the 10 days of the tour, the RAV went everywhere the LR's did and in fact was the most reliable vehicle of the lot, one or two of the Discos suffering some rather embarassing failures.

He came back a devoted (& unexpected) RAV4 fan.

[jedi134]

The running gear on a 4.2 rav is like mechano compared to the freelanders running gear, got both and been under both.... I,d take the landy every time for serious off road use

Can't comment on the 4.3 ravs though, will have to look under one sonetime :D

[firemac]

The running gear on a 4.2 rav is like mechano compared to the freelanders running gear, got both and been under both.... I,d take the landy every time for serious off road use

Can't comment on the 4.3 ravs though, will have to look under one sonetime :D

"The running gear on a 4.2 rav is like mechano"

Then you will presumably understand that the remarkable strength of Meccano comes from the way it's put together.

[jedi134]

Something like this would hold it together better though

CLICKY!

[Tech01]

Heavens above - that Rasta plate would never stop a rock from damaging the sump! Looks like pliable aluminium.

I need to make one of these for the 4.2. I dented the base of the sump on a rocky lump in the middle of one of our numerous unmade roads, causing a slow oil leak from the oil-level sensor. Fifty miles away by motorway, someone pointed to the black pool under the car. Took me 4 litres of oil to get home, on the way collecting a new sump cover at €300, IIRC.

If you're going to use ali, at least use decent thickness aircraft-grade! My preference is for steel, darted and welded as necessary.

I do wonder whether some of the commercially available 'guards' are essentially a fashion accessory!

C.

[Gods_gift]

I'd love a kevlar guard set if anyone knows where to get one?

[kipperwood]

Hi gods gift, can I just ask are you changing the tyres from the standard ones to an all terrain type. I will be wanting to tow a small pony trailer ( maximum allowed 1500 kg ) over grass or fields etc and I was wondering about which Tyres to go for?

[Gods_gift]

Well funny you should say that im going to see a mate whos a tyre fitter in the pub tomorrow night. I'll feed back what he says.

[jedi134]

I've just bought 2 of these for the Hippo, look the part, but only time will tell.

http://www.matador-tyres.co.uk/products/4x4-tyres/summer-tyres/matador-mp-71-izzarda/