Maybe this belongs in "modified", but I thought I'd start here.
Back around November '05 when I swapped motors in our '94, I removed the worn rubber splash mat that goes under the engine (and presumably protects the accessories from water). It's shot, and is sitting in a corner of the garage waiting to perhaps be used as a template for cutting a new one out of something.
It's still sitting there, waiting for me to do something. We have a record dry spell running, but it's eventually going to rain, and I really need to do something about this.
Here's the question: do I just replace the cheap mat (or fabricate one), or look for a metal skid plate (or fabricate one) that looks like it would perform the same function?
The nice thing about a skid plate is that it looks like it'd be easy to remove if I want access to the bottom of the engine, while the mat is a bit of a PITA to remove because of those stupid plastic pushpins. Given that we only light-trail with it, I don't really need much in the way of heavy armor here, but something to keep brush out of the accessory belt area wouldn't hurt.
Anyone else tried to fab up a simple brushguard? Or if I just bought a skidplate, would it help keep things dry up there?
Back around November '05 when I swapped motors in our '94, I removed the worn rubber splash mat that goes under the engine (and presumably protects the accessories from water). It's shot, and is sitting in a corner of the garage waiting to perhaps be used as a template for cutting a new one out of something.
It's still sitting there, waiting for me to do something. We have a record dry spell running, but it's eventually going to rain, and I really need to do something about this.
Here's the question: do I just replace the cheap mat (or fabricate one), or look for a metal skid plate (or fabricate one) that looks like it would perform the same function?
The nice thing about a skid plate is that it looks like it'd be easy to remove if I want access to the bottom of the engine, while the mat is a bit of a PITA to remove because of those stupid plastic pushpins. Given that we only light-trail with it, I don't really need much in the way of heavy armor here, but something to keep brush out of the accessory belt area wouldn't hurt.
Anyone else tried to fab up a simple brushguard? Or if I just bought a skidplate, would it help keep things dry up there?