Skid plate advice

[enesset]

Hello All,
Does anyone have experience with these types of skid plates and if so I would welcome any thoughts/advice/etc.

1st option: Competition plate
http://www.mooreparts.com/vw-baja-bug-c ... kid-plate/

2nd option looks like a more full body plate:
http://www.mooreparts.com/vw-baja-bug-u ... clearance/

[jsturtlebuggy]

Both will work. When My Dad built the first buggy back in early 1970 we use the (second one pictured) on it.
The problem that can encounter is the way it mounts in the back to engine case. It been known to break/crack the engine case if hit hard. Meaning it transfer the hit (rock, dirt, etc..) on it to the part it suppose to protect.
For a skid plate to protect the engine and transaxle you want it to be separated from them.
If you can attach the rear part to a bumper cage and not the engine it would work better.

[enesset]

This is awesome advice and most appreciated. Thanks so much.

[5150bossman]

The second one that covers more area is the way you want to go. It will help prevent things from getting kicked up and wedged between the motor and the wings of the smaller one (which can cause more damage) when you are traveling at high speeds off-road. We even go a step further and put pushrod tube protectors for that added bit of protection. And Joseph is spot on. By no means should you attach the skid plate to the motor. That's just asking for trouble. Attach the back to bumper or cage tubes and then attach the front to the pan (near where the shift coupler is located). Some have a large hole that is used to reach through to pull the oil drain plug. Just be sure to line the two up so you can change the oil without having to pull the skid plate off first.

[1856]

The Manx store sells a great skid plate....
http://www.meyersmanx.com/mmstore/store ... rear.shtml