Bash plates - a guide

[Spinner80]

Is there any way to try and minimise the fan coming on or get more airflow into the engine bay?

[fridgie]

There is (in some vehicles, not all) a factory plug for a thermo fan for the a/c condenser. This seems to help most but they were generally looking to increase a/c performance.

Search "thermo fan" and you should find the info.

Also, make sure radiator and condenser are clean and no grass seeds/bugs etc are trapped between the 2. If they are blocked temps will be a bit higher and fan run more often/constant especially on the highway.

[mrtuaniiex]

hey team.

time for me to upgrade my bash plates.. should of put it higher on my to do list. never the less im getting it done now.

im thinking of getting the arb one as all my bar work is from them and i like my things to match

what do you guys think of it? ive noticed from the pictures that they narrow down in width (front plate is wide like all the other brands then the next plate narrows down)

and also since its a 4 piece kit would it protect more things?

how would you rate it compared to the other 3mm plates in term of protection

sorry for my noobness

thanks

[PhatVelvet]

I've got the arb ones and haven't had an issue with them, haven't had the weight of the car on them yet though, value for money is pretty good I think cos they go all the way back to gearbox and have a transfer case shield too. Apparently if you frequent the mud they can increase the vehicles suction when bogged, but I've not had it stuck in deep enough mud for that to be a problem yet. Fitup was easy, I had issues with one hole not lining up but others have been fine. Pm if you want any other details specifically..

IMG_2014013035697.jpg

IMG_201401306439.jpg

[mrtuaniiex]

Thanks. I think ill go get it done sometime next we

[leeroy12]

I also got the ARB ones after seeing this post
Very impressed with them for the price, if your a 4x4 club member you'll get them for around $470- which considering all the other plates around are just 2 piece and around $320ish mark, this is really good value.
Only thing I noticed, is the Transmission plate is about an Inch think and sits hard against the support bracket, therefore you loose an Inch clearance across the length of the Plate.
However, the height lines up with the Front Cross member anyway, so all good.
Cheers

[kouta666]

Another provider I found and got some 3mm - 304 Stainless plates from today. $250 ($13 postage) or pickup in Brisbane. I went and picked them up. Awesome quality.

eBay seller is clark_kiere
Also online via https://www.facebook.com/RamProductsProtection?fref=ts

[Cowboy Dave]

They do look quite nice. Are there any braces on the inside of them or are they just bent plate?

[kouta666]

No bracing. The eBay description says "Laser Cut and folded from N4 Polished 304 Stainless Steel."

[Cowboy Dave]

I'm liking all that ventilation across the front. Would let a lot more air in than mine.

[Ent]

I fitted the Henzi variety of protection plates to my PC Challenger.

Front TJM 3mm steel. Only plate I could find that had sides. Well made.

Middle Mitsubishi factory. 3mm steel with about the worse paint, finish and precision that Mitsubishi could muster, quality worthy of the brackets it is bolted onto.

Gearbox BushskinZ 4mm plate. Just brilliant.

One front bracket on the middle plate broke off. Replaced it and its mate with 8mm angle iron and tapped the 8mm thread. The thread on the remaining one had just about cut out.

Big downfall was no plate protects the wishbone bush so clobbered that and trapped it, so needed some gentle persuasion to free up.

Fitted BushskinZ side/step rock sliders. Strong enough but little rough. Still look ok on and have saved a few repair bills so overall happy with them.