[Gerrit Loubser]

Yes, the standard Gen 3 protection plates consist of a reasonably sturdy press-formed steel cover at the front (in the area that would touch when traversing an obstacle that requires a greater approach angle than the Paj has), a plastic cover behind that, a thin, flimsy steel cover under the transmission and a fibre reinforced plastic cover under the fuel tank.

[Kennekam]

Is it worth while replacing it? The Frontrunner costs R1399 for the front one, R1025 for the rear one and R250 to fit at Safari Centre.

[Fielies]

Well let me put in this way, after driving home on Friday afternoon I always look for some places to play. This time is was right beside the N17 highway towards Springs just before the Nigel exit. I realized VERY quickly that I also need bash plates. On my transfer case Mitsubishi decided to install a 50mm round bar to protect it, and it sticks out like a sore thumb. Well the picture does not justify my 45min being stuck with my car balancing on that round bar. With no 4x4's stopping I really wish I bought the pillow track self recovering bags. The short is that I had to lift my IO with my std jack (which I thought was pathetic but there and then it was amazing) so that I can put massive rocks underneath the tyres for grip. So I will definitely fit bash plates under my IO so that nothing can get stuck when going off road

[tsblack]

KaiV do you have a pic of the bash plate installed?

Even in the sand, when hitting steep dunes at speed, a front bash plate might be a good idea (to protect the intercooler better)?

Have to agree with this. We were travelling in Botswana and went over a dip with the "middlemannetjie" a bit too high on the other side. We had the Frontrunner bash plates fitted but that still managed to ding them and put a dent in the intercooler (I assume that's the intercooler at the bottom).

Shudder to think what would have happened with the standard plastic cover and tinny behind it. We even had a spacer or two to keep the bash plate a little bit further away from the intercooler, but it was still close enough to whack it.

Frontrunner plates have since being replaced with Forfours ones. In addition to the front two they do a full belly replacement for the one further back, which Frontrunner don't do. Much thicker, much stronger.

-Thomas

[Greg_SA]

Thomas - how do you think the Frontrunner and For Fours bash plates compare? Specifically the front one that protects the intercooler?

Is the space between the bash plate and intercooler the same? And does the one seem stronger than the other?

[tsblack]

Hi Greg

The Forfours stuff looks great. The Frontrunner plates are 4mm mild steal if I remember correctly, the Fourfours plates appear to be about 5 or 6mm. I took a look through the side and I can see that there's a gap between the intercooler and the plate, so no need for spacers like we had to put on for the Frontrunner plates. Fourfours are also galvanised, Frontrunner is black powdercoated.

The biggest improvement is the belly plate though, the one that Frontrunner don't do. This was is originally made of half or 1 mm plate and ours was ripped on the side. The Forfours replacement is 4mm (appears to be thinner than the front plates, but just as thick as the Frontrunner plates).

I'll try get some pics and post them.

We have two Pajero's in the family. The vehicle I'm referring to is my father-in-laws, which means I've just inherited a set of Frontrunner plates. I'm going to be putting them on in the meantime because they're better than stock, but as soon as budget allows I'll go for Forfours as well, it just seems to be in a different league.

-Thomas

[tsblack]

Hi Guys

Some pics of the Forfours plates:

Front plate:







Bell plate with view of bottom plate:



Rodneymw also confirmed that the belly plate has angle iron reinforcements.

-Thomas

[Greg_SA]

Excellent, thanks for the pics

Those bash plates look silver... and on the For Fours website, they are gold...

Anyway, I have emailed For Fours yesterday, waiting for feedback.

[tsblack]

Hi Greg

Strange. These are definitely silver.

[Mcnoogle]

Hi Guys,

Anyone know where I can get dimentions / schematics of the middle bash plate, and the one for the (auto)gearbox I would like to have plates made up/ cut from 4 / 5 mm ss.