Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

Hi Simon

I went to 4x4 megaworld in paarden eiland. I phoned them earlier in the week to find out prices and the specs of the plate. Salesman said over the phone that they had front runner plate of 3mm mild steel that covered the gearbox and a portion of the transfer case.

I arrived on Saturday to have it fitted, and was disappointed in the size of the plate (barely covered the sump of the engine) for the price – R 1560.00. I immediately decided that I could make my own with a few measurements off the chassis. I will post pics the fabrication proceeds.

I also don't think the Frontrunner plate is worthwhile. I'll probably go for the Stofpad or Lynx, depending on price.

I've had some unfortunate medical expenses, so my bashplate project is on hold until next month

HI Guys, Pics as promised.

I decided to have the plate bent up for me, as 4mm steel is too stiff to do at home, it cost me R 465.00 for the metal sheet of 1300 x 750 x 4mm, and R75.00 to have it bent and sides trimmed.
All in all it cost me a sunday morning, a couple of choice swear words,(hope the neighbors didnt mind... ) and 4 high tesile allen head bolts which I had in stock.

First I drilled two 10mm holes and slotted them with a grinder.
Then I looked for attachment points on the front cross member, fould two mounting points from the old carbon fibre splash plate.
I then clamped the plate to the chassis to measure the holes for the front cross member, it bloody heavy to pick up under the chassis at approx 20kg...
Drilled holes...

Fitted the belly and bash plate, I got the bash plate from Zoobie, but have taken the measurements to have another one made up that is thicker, 3mm steel front runner isn't up to the task IMHO.

I know the bolts protrude out unde rthe bash plate, even more as they are allen bolts(have a higher profile). They were the only high tensile bolts I had at 12.9 on the head. I will shop around for a normal bolt profile, but will just carry spares around for now if they shear off, or until I can make a better plan.

Better view of the front and rear cross member attachement points.

Great stuff !!

Sure you wont mind... I am missing the bash-plate too, am going to have one made on your design.

My comments after fitting a Stofpad bash plate - fron t only.

It is a very sturdy plate - better than the OEM.

BUT....

On my recent trip to the Namib it was a very effective sand scoup blocking the Intercooler. neccestating regular stops to remove the sand. The problem aooears to be 1. Limited drainage holes - sufficient for water but not sand especially when it is damp. By dry sand also tends to accumulate.

Going through langewand and has to transverse some big rocks it soaks up the bashing against that.

This is my opinion of the Stofpad product - very good but careful where you want to use it, I assume the problems will occur with the other products as well as they are design a "rock busters" and not for sand.

Nay other experiences in this redard.

I made my own using existing holes except for the rear part where I drilled two holes through the crossmember.

I recently got a Stofpad one from Uys. Really sturdy plate. Very well made and seems incredibly tuff. It was however an absolute B@#$ to install, as one of the bolts had stripped it's thread and could not go in or out, making it almost impossible to get the bashplate inline wiht all the holes. But that has nothing to do with the plate. It seems also that the plate was designed to have some play as to the exact position of the bolds (smart), but mine lines up on the edge of the bolt slits, making me a little woried.

It is really strong, reasonably priced and looks good. I have no other experience but would recomend this to anybody. Uys is also a really nice guy and I am sure will help with any problems with his product.

PS to update:

I did a lot of driving in Botswana sand and did not experience any blockages from either sand or mud. Hit the bashplate a good number of times and it does not even show. Really glad I got it.

I actually think it feeds more air to the intercooler than the original Pajero plate, wich by the way is reasonably sturdy in any case. Replacing that with a 3mm plate does not seem quite worth it.

Are there any Gen4's with a Stofpad plate?

Last I heard Uys say he doesnt like the way it looks unless you have a steel / offroad bumper.

Could the Gen4 guys with these plates (and stock bumpers) load up some pics? (any types of plates, not only Stofpad)

I just picked up my Lynx plate from LA Sport. Took the very last one Lynx had in stock. Will fit it over the weekend. Mainly decided on the Lynx one because I could get it quickly. It is quite heavy, so must be reliable

What do they go for a LA Sport?