1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Why do I need a skidplate?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by tmanson, Mar 25, 2008.

  1. tmanson

    tmanson Geetar-playin' Traveler

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2007
    71
    0
    0
    Location:
    Frederick, MD
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Not much more to say... I don't understand why these things are being marketed for a Prius! It's not like it's an FJ Cruiser or something!:rolleyes: If anyone cares to explain, I will listen.

    Tom
     
  2. skguh

    skguh Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2007
    195
    4
    0
    Location:
    Montgomery, Alabama
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Well DUH! For off-roading, silly!
     
  3. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2003
    19,891
    1,193
    9
    Location:
    Nixa, MO
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    They're probably not necessary, but they're nice to have and there is the potential for damage to the engine, transaxle, etc from rocks and debris kicking up.
    But some of us like the idea of better enclosing the undercarriage to reduce the cooling effect of airflow in that area to improve cold weather MPG.
    If you don't feel the need there's no need to get one...many of us don't see the need for front end bras, 5 spoke rims, or 17" rims either. But some of us do.
     
  4. HardCase

    HardCase SilverPineMica, the green one

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2007
    408
    10
    0
    Location:
    Kalispell, Montana
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    I've been toying with the idea of getting some or all of the bolt-on suspension goodies, the skid-plate, the stiffening plate, and the strut tower brace. Does anyone here have thoughts on that? I like the idea of the skid-plate as extra protection for the car, possibly unnecessary but I do like the idea of reducing air-flow. Does it enhance the aerodynamics? And what about the stiffening plate and strut tower braces, any experience or thoughts on those?
     
  5. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2007
    10,664
    567
    0
    Location:
    Adelaide South Australia
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I would like to say the under tray improves airflow under the car however the Prius already has the best air drag of any 4 door car on the market and equal the best ever so I really struggle with the idea a plate under the car which isn't tested will improve air flow under the car. I believe the best justification is if you ever drive in snow or on mud where rocks or solid ice could be concealed ahead of you.

    The stuff BT sell to stiffen the chassis, although not necessary do seem to make the chassis more rigid in it's feel. (from all reports). I have the under floor stiffening plate and I'm quite happy with the results of fitting that, I would assume the strut brace would be even more noticeable but haven't fitted one yet. The strut brace is a good looking piece of kit too so you won't feel shame if your friends "happen" to see it.

    It all comes down to choice. I'm pretty happy with the handling of my Aussie released Prius, a little more so with the stiffening plate which seemed to make the car feel like it wasn't bucking in tight turns although I don't think I corner any faster, it just feels nicer.
     
  6. orvisorvis

    orvisorvis Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2008
    7
    0
    0
    Location:
    Southeast Connecticut
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    I've been waiting for the time I do something stupid and forget just how low the car is when I pull into a parking spot. Taking that a step further, the skid plate might protect the undercarrage if a person (certainly wouldn't be me) drove the car over one of those parking lot free standing curbs. Of course, I'd probably have to buy the skid plate to find out just what it protects.

    It would be good to know, from BT, why they developed a skid plate.
     
  7. donee

    donee New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2005
    2,956
    197
    0
    Location:
    Chicagoland
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Hi All,

    Well, I am probably not going to get the skid plate. But, there were a few occaisions this winter when I wish I had one. Some of these trucks from up north come down to Chicago on a warm day, and start dropping foot-ball sized ice chunks while driving down the highway at 60 mph. I have had a few bounce off the rear axle. Luckily they did not skip up just in front of the car.

    Even 60 yards back, there is not much you can do. Its only a few seconds before impact, which is just enough time to make sure you do not hit them with a tire. Ya know its kinda like "Space Invaders".
     
  8. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2004
    3,790
    152
    0
    Location:
    Park View, Los Angeles, CA. U.S.A
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    i tend to drive on a lot of dirt roads. i've had rocks get caught in the engines's lower arm. they jam in there and keep the arm rigid.. which makes the engine rattle feed right into the cab.

    i'll get one. i have the brace. it's worth it. i'll get the tower brace too.
     
  9. HardCase

    HardCase SilverPineMica, the green one

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2007
    408
    10
    0
    Location:
    Kalispell, Montana
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Living in Montana, I deal with snow, ice-chunks, logging-truck debris, construction debris, potholes, dirt/gravel roads, etc., quite frequently. My pattern, however, is to drive the Tacoma when I'm "heading for the hills" and the Prius for highway travel. Still, I think that over the next year I'm going to add all of the suspension goodies, including the skid-plate. I'd like to firm up the suspension a bit and some added protection can't hurt. I plan to keep the Prius for at least 5 years, possibly closer to 10, so might as well do what I can to make that a good experience.
     
  10. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2006
    18,058
    3,075
    7
    Location:
    Northern Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Polarize the hull plating.

    Tom
     
  11. subarutoo

    subarutoo New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2006
    1,213
    23
    0
    Location:
    Chatsworth, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    I talked to a friend who has a Prius before I bought mine, and she told me that she hit a truck tire/wheel assembly on the freeway, and it did $$$$ damage to her Prius underneath. It took off her oil filter, damaged the oil pan, and exhaust system. Not sure if the skid plate would have helped her, or not, but it couldn't hurt. I can't believe how much freeway junk is laying around. I saw a full size wheelbarrow laying up against the carpool lane k-rail today. Come on, people tie down your junk.
     
  12. HardCase

    HardCase SilverPineMica, the green one

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2007
    408
    10
    0
    Location:
    Kalispell, Montana
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Around here it is construction debris, boards (often with nails sticking up), pieces of sheetrock, buckets, shovels (a friend of mine ran over one of those in his 4-Runner the other day and his transmission wouldn't shift afterward, so it is now in the shop), you name it. I live 120 miles from the nearest freeway, but the last time I was on it I saw a friggin' washing machine laying along the side of the road in the break-down area!
     
  13. BT Tech

    BT Tech New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2005
    885
    2
    0
    Location:
    South Florida
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    This is exactly the reason why I designed the skid plate for the Prius. A good friend of mine in Orlando had something similar happen to him while driving on the highway.

    If our skid plate was installed on either vehicle, it would have protected the engine/transaxle/generator components and probably would have barely dented our plate. The way our skid plate is designed, most objects that would hit it would be deflected off as it is very streamlined in design.

    Most vehicles have some sort of protection for the underside of the engine and components whether it be a shield or cross members acting as a shield. The Prius has nothing to protect the underside of the engine and as a result is exposed/susceptible to damage.



     
  14. HardCase

    HardCase SilverPineMica, the green one

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2007
    408
    10
    0
    Location:
    Kalispell, Montana
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Hey Brian, thanks for posting and I'm definitely interested in all of the add-ons that might make the Prius more durable and handle better. I'm curious, what is the approx. weight of the skid-plate? And how difficult is the installation? The stiffening plate looks like a snap, and the strut tower brace appears to be somewhat more of a challenge, but doable by the average guy with the right tools. How does the skid-plate compare from a labor/complexity standpoint?
     
  15. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2003
    19,891
    1,193
    9
    Location:
    Nixa, MO
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-modifications/42933-bt-skid-plate-installed-summary.html
     
  16. BT Tech

    BT Tech New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2005
    885
    2
    0
    Location:
    South Florida
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    My pleasure.... Our skid plate weighs aproximately 12 lbs. Installation is straight forward and thanks to Evan, we now have detailed pictures to go along with our instructions.

    I have personally found our strut brace to be easier to install than our skid plate. Our stiffening plate is by far the easiest to install. I can actually install our strut brace in about 25 minutes. The installation time for our skid plate is aproximately 1-2 hrs.

    All of our parts can be installed by the average person with your ordinary tools that most people have.

    If you have any questions please let me know.