L300 SUMP PLATE/SKID PLATE

chamonixstu · Post by **chamonixstu** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 1:10 pm

These drawings are by no means technical but if you find a decent metal basher I'm sure he will be able to turn one of these out for you in under and hour, maybe a little longer with laser cutting.

Leafster · Post by **Leafster** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 2:22 pm

Does anybody have any interest in these? I could have these manufactured locally, the price really depends on how many at a time. Let me know..

crushers · Post by **crushers** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 2:47 pm

hummm, i can see a downside to these. serious reduction in cool air to the rad. same idea but use expanded steel. this will still deflect debrise from the rad but will allow proper ventilation to the rad...

just my concern

chamonixstu · Post by **chamonixstu** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 5:01 am

Hi Crushers,

I have had my plate installed for about 3 years now and have done many off-road events where I have put the engine under considerable strain for long periods of time.

Also when you are off road you are usually travelling a lot slower than on the road too. All this considered I have never encountered a rise in temperature or over heating in any way.

I can only assume from this that the plate style does not affect the cooling of the radiator and put this down to the fact that the grill sits above it and below the bullbar plastic.

Hope this helps...

crushers · Post by **crushers** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 6:54 am

yes, i understand that you are traveling at slow speeds when off-roding (i have done a bit of off-roading as well :D )
i have found that you can actually put much more strain on the engine when traveling slow and trying to climb the hills here in Alberta than on the highway...
but, how has the truck fared when on the highway climbing long hills? or bucking a strong head wind like we get in western Canada. i am concerned with different driving conditions with the rad blocked off like this... i am not trying to say the idea isn't a good one but i am just suggesting an improvement to the design for different applications...

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chamonixstu · Post by **chamonixstu** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 12:28 pm

I understand, but I haven't had any problems at all, apart from being slowed by head winds.

L300's and long hill climbs don't go together as you are probably aware, I just wish someone had told Newton he would never have invented gravity if he'd owned one!

The other issue with the L300 is the lack of top end power, I suppose that's the result of putting what basically amounts to an agricultural engine in people carrier.

That said, I wouldn't drive anything else, I have loved every moment of driving my Delica and intend to keep it until it literally falls apart :D

All the best....

crushers · Post by **crushers** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 1:44 pm

the top end cn be imporved slightly by the addition of 12-14 lbs of boost, increase the fuel and the addition of propane...
BUT
it coudl lead to a shorter life span in the hands of someone with a heavy foot (not that i fit in those shoes...much)