[kneemow]

so I can buy them and either put them on myself or take to the dealership to have done. i don't care how it gets done so long as i have them.

 

[dsowell]

SkidPlates idea dead

I too wanted some skid plates but I doubt there will ever be any.

 

[kanji]

so, if the engine is design to fall down on a severe frontal impact, isn't there a way for someone to build a skid plate that will protect the engine and fall down if there's a severe frontal impact? or something to protect what's under like the oil pan and tranny. some one is probably thinking of something that will fall down with the engine but protect it for normal / off road driving.

 

[kneemow]

i read the skidplate thread and the first thought i had was stated almost at the end of the thread itself.

skidplates are made to protect in off-road driving conditions where things can come up into the engine areas or bounce on. since the engine is designed to drop down in the event of a head-on collision the plates can be engineered in such a manner as to drop down with the block.

i find it hard to believe that the bright staff of Honda engineers who came up with this truck and all the options are unable find a solution to this problem.

 

[kanji]

i was watching some auto show explaining the RL under carrage protection. Certain areas are protected with a bar and plate. You're right, the engineers should have thought it out having a skid plate mouted under the engine and other components to protect it from debris launching up torward the engine bay and components. If a collision occur, like you said, the engine and skid plate should drop. Someone atleast should mention this to other skid plate makers and see what they respond to. Or is it viable to make and sold to honda?

 

[Rottenrob]

This issue, and this issue alone has me looking at the new Toyota Fj Cruiser instead, as blasphemous as that sounds. I really want a Black Ridge, but I can't pull the trigger, as much as I want a truck bed.

 

[BillB]

This truck was and is not marketed to be an off road animal and the way the undercarriage protection is lacking is proof that the marketing drove the engineering. For me, a skidplate would be a luxury as I do not expect to incur any major damage the way I use the RL, and me and my use is what Honda was hoping to be able to sell the first batch to. Maybe over time and the next batches, we will see an off road package and model to compliment the suburban package we have now.

 

[BIGGUY]

This issue, and this issue alone has me looking at the new Toyota Fj Cruiser instead, as blasphemous as that sounds. I really want a Black Ridge, but I can't pull the trigger, as much as I want a truck bed.

RL is a 4x4 not an off road unit, it was'nt designed to go bouncing over rocks and things And if thats all thats keeping you from "pulling the trigger" then you don't want the RL that bad

 

[Ruffles]

Why not mount the skid plate TO the engine? That way, when the engine moves, the skid plate moves with it.

 

[scottIN]

I'd be happy with even a plastic skidplate. Ever looked under the truck from the side @ all the crap hanging down? I'm not planning on doing any offroading, but it seems like there's a lot of stuff under there that could be easily damaged-even by a stray rock on the highway.

Jeez, my mercedes Coupe had more protection underneath-one big plate under the engine and two going back on each side to about the rear axle. It was probably more for aerodynamics, but it was at least some protection. And they were thin enough that I am sure they would have come off in a collision.

 

[kneemow]

I'd be happy with even a plastic skidplate.

rubbermaid has done some impressive stuff in the last 10 years. i would settle for that.

i realize the RL was not made for hardcore offroading, but since it is a 4x4 there ought to be at least some aftermarket alternatives for those of us who do plan on hitting the great outdoors. or more to the point, the great outdoors hitting us in the jewels.

i just want a protective cup for my boy is all.

 

[Rottenrob]

Exactly. I just wouldn't spend time on this site, if I didn't want a Honda truck. I prefer trucks that have an off road option in their repertoire. (does not need to be the singular option) Those that say this truck wasn't designed for that, and have watched the Ridge TV commercials, and test videos, have read about Baja, heard of the upcoming San Felipe challenge--how do you guys reconcile this with yourself? Can't allow it all to marketing can you? No, this must surely be a corporate decision and not a signifigant engineering problem.

The thing is I want my vehicle to do everything , and Honda is pretty close-- Truck bed, and trunk, car-like handeling, towing, safety.. brilliant! I'm thirty, not married and this will be my first "new" vehicle purchase. I do represent a large market segment that currently in the truck world must be satisfied by the poor quality Dodges, Ubiquitous Fords, Chevys, over-compensating Titans/Frontiers out there. Stats on Tacomas look good, but having test driven the Toyota within an hour of the Ridge, I just wasn't that enthused.

The Hondar Ridgeline is a smart unique beast right? People who have already bought their Ridges love it's various incarnations, street rod, work truck, family vehicle etc, why not include one more to the party?

 

[cdepuydt]

Seems to me, with all the engineering Honda put into this truck, they'd be able to come up with a skid plate that would drop down with the block in the event of an accident. Kinda odd, if you ask me. I mean, granted, the RL is not designed for "heavy duty" off-roading, but it would be nice to have that option if one so desired to have one.

With all the brilliant minds here on this forum, you'd think a ROC member could come up with a solution to this. Anybody.....?

 

[kneemow]

to be fair i realize not everyone is buying a RL for off-roading so it wouldn't have to be a standard part on the vehicle. they can offer it as an optional part like the running boards, cargo net, etc etc etc.

 

[livefaith]

Why not mount the skid plate TO the engine? That way, when the engine moves, the skid plate moves with it.

Great idea! And when the skid plate is struck by a rock or other immovable object, the parts underneath will be protected while the engine acts as a stress point for all the vehicle weight and/or is moved through the hood on heavy impact.

 

[5S Dude]

What gage (thickness) material would be required to fabricate the skid-plates for the rear diff and engine/trans area?

 

[Ruffles]

Great idea! And when the skid plate is struck by a rock or other immovable object, the parts underneath will be protected while the engine acts as a stress point for all the vehicle weight and/or is moved through the hood on heavy impact.

An even better idea would be to avoid casing your Ridgeline on rocks. Seriously, no one is going to attempt the Rubicon in an RL. I just figured a small plate would prevent damage for the medium duty debris the RL is engineered to conquer.

 

[chisoxjim]

The RL is not a rock climber, or heavy duty 4wd vehicle If you need skid plates that bad get a Jeep, or another vehicle designed for true offroading. I have owned Jeeps in the past but at age 36 I didnt want the utilitarian ride and features jeeps offer, so i bought a refined RL.

With that said i do as part of my job take me RL into construction sites often, and it handles great in the mud, ruts, and flooded areas. Never got stuck, or even close.

 

[lowrider90]

The RL is not a rock climber, or heavy duty 4wd vehicle If you need skid plates that bad get a Jeep, or another vehicle designed for true offroading. I have owned Jeeps in the past but at age 36 I didnt want the utilitarian ride and features jeeps offer, so i bought a refined RL.

With that said i do as part of my job take me RL into construction sites often, and it handles great in the mud, ruts, and flooded areas. Never got stuck, or even close.

Please show me anyother make that is desinged for "true off roading" for 36 you might be more informed. any rock climbers right off the assembly line? and i don't mean little 12" rocks, that would be stone climbing.

a skid plate makes sense even for light duty off roading. it only takes the wrong move to hit a lone rock or bounce when you don't want to. the oil pan on the truck has no protection really.

the engineers traded off that option for safety first, fine, but why not let individuals decide to change the stock configuation? ok, you have decided at 36 you are no longer a player, but rather going to stay safe and take no chances. sounds rediculous doesn't it. wouldn't you want the added protection for the day you take a chance? maybe you never will, that is fine too. to each his own, you are entitled. but your comments above are sounding more like a judge then a partial minded reasonably prudent person.

stay safe, J

 

[chisoxjim]

Wrangler Rubicon, ever heard of it?

my point is why try to make an RL something it isnt.. an offroad beats.

also at 36 Im no longer interested in slogging through mud, rocks,.etc.. I have better things to do with my time...