Bash plates - a guide

[Cowboy Dave]

So you’ve read somewhere that you need bash plates and you want some information about that. This thread is intended to be a bit of a guide as to the available options. There are many different options available. They’ve been listed alphabetically with the more homegrown stuff first and the larger commercial suppliers down the bottom.

This thread is not for advice about whether you need bash plates. If you are going off road and you have the stock OEM plates, then you need some better bash plates. That is all the advice you need.

In fact even Mitsubishi makes a rear bash plate. Only they call it a diff actuator protection plate - part number MR 936387 and priced at around $115. I'm told this part is 4mm steel.

There are differences between the different plate designs, some have gussets or other bracing to make them more rigid and some don’t. Some have more venting than others which may help clear sand and mud and let more air come through but are likely to provide marginally (and I expect it is pretty marginal) less protection – buyers should make their own choices there.

NewTriton.net takes no responsibility and accepts no liability for the content indexed/supplied in this thread which was already out there for all to see and read. The author of this thread knows bugger all about bash plates and being a moderator doesn't mean that the author has the slightest clue. All this thread does is bring some of the relevant information together in one place. (In the interests of full disclosure though, the author of this post has Baysie's plates in a galvanised finish).

Each buyer/reader should make his or her own enquiries and form his or her own view as to what is the most suitable product for his/her needs.

There are undoubtedly bash plate photos, threads, brands and so on that have not been indexed in this post. If you know of any that should be added please post below and they will be incorporated if considered worthy.

Baysie’s plates thread:
http://www.newtriton.net/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=2941#p42801

Pics of Baysie’s plates (thanks to Homer)(note that these also come in a galvanised finish now):






Bushskinz bash plates:
http://www.newtriton.net/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=6532&p=121339&hilit=bushskinz+plates#p121339

Pics of Bushskinz plates (thanks to 26):





Buzzy’s pdf plans:
http://ftp.users.on.net/~holmes2804/LD-08-001.pdf

Buzzy’s plans for HD bash plate mounts:
http://www.newtriton.net/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=4519&p=114148&hilit=arb+protection+plates#p67403

Pics of Buzzy’s plates:



Reeldreamer’s Group buy EOI 2 – using Buzzy’s plans as above:
http://www.newtriton.net/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=76&t=8589

Pics of Reeldreamer's plates (thanks to mattyjl)(done in stainless with a choice of wording ie Triton or GLXR i think):





Commercial options:

ARB:
http://www.arb.com.au/products/arb-protection-equipment/under-vehicle-protection/index.php

Pics of the ARB plates (plus what looks to be an extra transmission or transfer case plate?)(with thanks to Banjora):




ASFIR (also sold by Mitsubishi in the UK):
http://www.asfir.com/catalogueEN.asp?combo0=13&combo1=46

Avenger underbody protection plates:
http://www.newtriton.net/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=1830&hilit=arb+underbody+protection

Pics of the Avenger set up (some pics may be hilux gear, but same sort of stuff):











[/quote]


Brown Davis underguards:
http://www.underguards.com.au/navguardmodels.html#mitsubishi

Macquarie 4x4:
http://www.macquarie4x4.com.au/index.cfm?pageName=Bash%20Plates

TJM plates:
http://www.newtriton.net/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=407&hilit=arb+protection+plates
http://www.tjm.com.au/

PS: If anyone can find the post with the full length protection plates from ARB could they please send me a link?

[Banjora]

These are the ARB plates.

[headake]

Like the looks of the control arm bash plates
Should try for group buy on them

[Mongrel]

+1 for the control arms!!

I am about to buy new plates - I might sit tight for now and see where this goes.

[Cowboy Dave]

Thanks for that Banjora I've included those shots up the top. Did you ever post those shots somewhere else? They sort of look familiar but I didn't find them when I was searching.

[Cowboy Dave]

Like the looks of the control arm bash plates
Should try for group buy on them

This is the only place I've ever stumbled upon those online (no doubt there are others, there's a whole separate thread for the Avenger plates after all):http://www.superiorengineering.com.au/store.php?cPath=378_891_894

[Banjora]

Hi Cowboy Dave. I had the bash plates piccies posted on my build thread.

[ag9111]

Well done Dave
I have the TJM ones and rate them. Given them an absolute flogging and still going strong.
Cant say the same for the mounts

[Crash486]

more pics of avenger gear here -> http://www.torq4x4.com.au/products/vehi ... 7&model=63
includes fuel tank and rear diff as well

[lufc]

i just made some of buzzys plates using his drawings , made them from 4mm stainless steel
they look trick as

[sal_troy]

I am fitting 3mm stainless steel plates similar to buzzy's plates at the moment. There is a plastic strip under the radiator I'm not sure about. Front plate bends plastic strip up so I'm thinking I may have to remove this strip. Any thoughts about this strip?

[Cowboy Dave]

Many people have just removed the plastic. Not all plates require it, depends on the angle.

[sal_troy]

Thanks. Like I said very close to buzzy's design. Think I might take off and see how it goes. Do the standard mounts last long with upgraded bash plates?

[Cowboy Dave]

They'll be fine right up until you put half the ute's weight onto a plate - then you may find they'll break off at the welds. Mine are still fine 3 years in.

[outlaws-new-triton]

About to fit Ironman plates this weekend. Went with them mainly due to having Ironman bar as well. Both engine and transmission, still thinking about fuel tank.
http://www.ironman4x4.com/pdfs/accessor ... UP010E.pdf
and
http://www.ironman4x4.com/pdfs/accessor ... UP010T.pdf

[poppins122325]

Anyone got any photos of the diff actuator plate CD mentioned in the first post, interested to have a look

[evlids]

Here is a pic of the genuine mitsubishi bash plate as described in the first post,

cost me $100 trade price.


will add some photos wonce it's fitted, appears to be 4mm steel.

[Cowboy Dave]

That's not a bad price. I wonder what the RRP is on it? Do you have another plate to cover the area that one doesn't?

[4wd26]

I need a new one (genuine MMA) bit dinted up now after 5 years
I believe the price and info mentioned in the first link was what I paid ($115)

will look at doing something different this time, as the air holes are the weak part (spot mine are dinted) and this is just below the diff.

think the diff actuator (even though expensive) will be cheaper than a diff replacement.

[evlids]

I've got one of the gurus over there looking into a front bash plate as well but I don't like my chances.

My invoice says retail is $116 ex GST,

[mattz]

I'm currently in the market for some new plates,so I'm watching with interest.
The part no would be handy too.

[Cowboy Dave]

I'm currently in the market for some new plates,so I'm watching with interest.
The part no would be handy too.

Geez mate, it's in the first post:

In fact even Mitsubishi makes a rear bash plate. Only they call it a diff actuator protection plate - part number MR 936387 and priced at around $115. I'm told this part is 4mm steel.

It's noobs like you that... oh sorry, as you were...

[fridgie]

He's too short to look up that far Dave

Give the little guy a break

[Spinner80]

I have the ARB plates which are great but the the only thing is that now the fan comes on all the time on a hot day on the highway. Some guys have told me it's the a/c fan but it's makes a noticeable noise. Does anyone else have this problem? I have a ARB deluxe winch bar with winch that's why I went with the bash plates... Plus having a mate who works at ARB helps also for good prices!!

[fridgie]

The fan behind the radiator does both engine cooling and a/c. Yes they are noisy.