Underbody plastic panel for below engine bay

[HunterCat]

Hey folks. I'm looking for some protection (not off-road) for the wide open space below the engine compartment. Mostly for light road debris and/or splash protection especially in winter when they salt the roads. It would be nice to have a plastic panel on the belly to keep this area covered and help keep the engine bay clean. No need for a metal shield as I don't need serious impact protection. Typically, I never bothered on my other vehicles but the open area on this truck is huge.

I did a search online but I'm not coming up with anything. Can anyone lead me in the right direction?

Thanks!

 

[rzr6-4]

From the quick search that I did, I'm not seeing any plastic covers, which is not surprising. If someone is trying to cover this area, generally they are doing it in the name of impact protection, or for sliding across stuff, either way you would go with a rigid metal plate.

Either go with what the market has already come up with, or if you insist on something "light duty" then you will likely have to make your own. If I would of to make one I would still use steel, but just get some thin sheet metal (18-20ga perhaps). It is pretty easy to work with and readily available.

 

[HunterCat]

Thanks, rzr. I went on one of the mopar parts sites and I don't even see a metal cover. I do see some skid plates but they're small and component specific such as protection for the transfer case. I'm not seeing anything that would cover the massive void they left open.

 

[Racer9]

I'm thinking that the mfr left that open for a reason. But if I wanted to seal it up I'd go to my local race car shop and get some aluminum sheeting. If they build race car bodies they will have leftover pieces you should be able to get cheap, and fashion whatever you want. That Aluminum is fairly easy to work with and comes painted, although you might not have much choice on color. They should also have plastic sheets that would work.

 

[DILLIGAF]

I'm thinking that the mfr left that open for a reason.

its a grocery getter and dodge builds the cheapest ch!te possible.

Those are pretty much the only 2 main reasons I can come up with...

 

[HunterCat]

I'm thinking that the mfr left that open for a reason. But if I wanted to seal it up I'd go to my local race car shop and get some aluminum sheeting. If they build race car bodies they will have leftover pieces you should be able to get cheap, and fashion whatever you want. That Aluminum is fairly easy to work with and comes painted, although you might not have much choice on color. They should also have plastic sheets that would work.

It occurred to me that it might affect cooling but I intended to keep an eye on the gauges. My buddy is into building race cars so I'll ask him what he thinks about fabricating something.

I thought for sure they would be an aftermarket piece for this. I guess that giant void underneath doesn't bother most owners.

 

[QwikKota]

That void lets the nuts and bolts you drop when working on the truck fall to the ground instead of being trapped forever.

 

[mands0807]

That void lets the nuts and bolts you drop when working on the truck fall to the ground instead of being trapped forever.

But then they, and the 10mm socket hit the ground and shoot off into oblivion