I am thinking of beefing up my sump guard so as to be able to enjoy off roading in the mountains a bit more. I know of the Mantec but quite frankly do not want to spend that sort of money on a sump guard when you can get such things for Defenders and Disco's for around £90! Why does it cost so much and why does no one else make one? Anyway has anyone modified their own? Chap did it in the recent Modifying your Freelander article in Land Rover owner international but no other info on it. Would the first step be to get hold of some fairly thick chequer plate material and try and copy what is already there and bolt it to the existing frame somehow?
Sump Guards, anyone bought or modified exisiting one?
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Diesel Do
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I'm looking into it too! Got myself a mig that can do ally just been a bit busy recently so it's all been put on hold. My freelander made his look pants by the way
DD
WLJayne
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Just picked up a replacement undertray cheap on ebay. Will see what DD has in mind. From last weekend's mud trashing it seems that underbody protection is pretty critical.
Diesel Do
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Diesel Do
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Should help keep muck out if done well.
DD
DD
WLJayne
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Not sure anything would have kept that grit filled mud smoothie out
! I think the local geology has alot to be blamed for there, might be less cruel to drive belts somewhere with less sand in the mud!
Diesel Do
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Not sure anything would have kept that grit filled mud smoothie out
I was thinking that! I suspect it was a sand pit rather than a proper quarry! Cos it int very rocky
DD
WLJayne
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I was thinking that! I suspect it was a sand pit rather than a proper quarry! Cos it int very rocky
DD
Yup, gravel and sand.
WLJayne
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Diesel Do
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3mm seems a bit thin! Mantec one was 8mm. I was thinking 6 or 8 for mine
DD
WLJayne
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Yup I wouldnae trust 3mm. Question is whether you leave the valance on or not? Or would you extend the plate all the way up the bumper? It does look badass and yours did take a few thumps in the area at the quarry.
Diesel Do
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Could a good thickness of chequerplate not be bolted to the exisiting one somehow? The local DIY superstore sells it and not to badly priced. Then a grinder and a vice and bobs your uncle (I hope ) I would extend it back from the front piece to save the extra work. Would you need to replicate some of the holes that are there?
) I would extend it back from the front piece to save the extra work. Would you need to replicate some of the holes that are there?
Diesel Do
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Could a good thickness of chequerplate not be bolted to the exisiting one somehow? The local DIY superstore sells it and not to badly priced. Then a grinder and a vice and bobs your uncle (I hope
People do use chequer plate as you've said, but when you have the tread plate down it always seems daft as it'll grip whatever you're trying to slide over?! I just plan to use plain ally sheet, welded to the existing frame, possibly braced to the chassis rails, with a bolt on bumber gaurd and an exhaust gaurd to the rear! Who knows I may make some spares
DD
Nodge68
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The factory guard just needs some thick ally plate bolted or welded between the existing side rails. The front box section and side rails are more than strong enough, the plastic center bit is the weak part although it's generally fine for green laning!!
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Diesel Do
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Mine got ripped off on a sensible green lane! If you go between the rails you'll be sat on the sump, on the 1.8 at least, agreed its strong, but it'll suddenly be taking a lot of stress as it bounces off things, so it needs to be pretty well built if its to be used hard, if its a greenlaning precaution then bits of angle bolting it together will probably suffice. If you google the Mantec ones there's pics of one of them broken and they really are solid! That's why I plan on welding and bracing when I get round to it!
DD
Nodge68
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My wife ploughed here own ramp in an 18" loose lay stone wall for which the sump guard took most the impact but it survived it so the ally bits are strong. I'm of the opinion that if the sump guard is to strong then all the loadings it will transfer to the body are well above the design specs of the body, so will simply brake something els!! If I was going proper hard core need bash guard protection off roading then a Freelander wouldn't be my choice of transport
