I want an Aluminum skid plate

[Ryan_T]

Can we get one developed? Who do I normally have to get in touch with to build one, or maybe a few dozen (if there's enough interest)?

There's one for B6/B7, but no product for B8 yet. As a Torontonian, there are times when our car becomes snowplows. I'd feel more comfortable if my skid plate isn't plastic that can tear off as soon as I hit a stubborn snow pile/ice.

[MiracleWhips]

Who do I normally have to get in touch with to build one, or maybe a few dozen (if there's enough interest)?

Try any metal fabricators in your area. A good friend of mine who is a fellow Audi modder makes custom stuff all the time through metal shops.

The only ting is he makes a mock up of what needs to be built with cardboard first.

[Ryan_T]

I'm thinking I might be able to use SolidEdge to create a 3D model if I can get the right measurements of the existing plastic ones (just for contact points and screw positions), but not sure if there's a better way to digitize it than just measuring and reconstruct from scratch.


Or maybe I should just take a big piece of cardboard and stick it under the car?

[MiracleWhips]

It all depends on what resources the metal fabricator has.

They may be able to do a computer generated design, or they may have to go old school with some cardboard.

Also how much are you willing to invest into this venture.

[Alkivar]

i'm having my mechanic make one for my B8 A5 (starting Nov 8th when I drop off the car)... if you or someone else could ship me your plastic belly pan so I can compare it to mine and get measurements to make sure everything is the same... we'll be able to make em.

[scottyuk]

Is there a risk of doing this? At the moment the risk is that the plastic tray becomes the sacrificial part. If it's metal instead then potentially it survives but transfers the forces onto the rest of the car. Also since the mounting points on the car won't be any stronger, if it comes off then you've got a peace of sheet metal ripping it's way out from under your car instead of plastic.

Just my 2pence ;)

[ThePiombino]

Is there a risk of doing this? At the moment the risk is that the plastic tray becomes the sacrificial part. If it's metal instead then potentially it survices but transfers the forces onto the rest of the car. Also since the mounting points on the car won't be any stronger, if it comes off then you've got a peace of sheet metal ripping it's way out from under your car instead of plastic.

Just my 2pence ;)

Makes a good point.

[Nght&Day-B8]

Ive actually been wondering if there have been any developed. This has been done on many many Audi's/VW and it hasnt been a problem.

[naemcivic]

Well, if you guys want it bad enough. I could import some from China's A4L. A fabricator in China has one out already.

[Nght&Day-B8]

Hmm, lets talk money

[naemcivic]

Hmm, lets talk money

Well, the quality would match any North America's fabricators but price wise it would be far from North America's pricing; even with shipping added. I might just take one for the team and order one for my ride first.

[cory_can]

Well, the quality would match any North America's fabricators but price wise it would be far from North America's pricing; even with shipping added. I might just take one for the team and order one for my ride first.

Do you have pics/details/pricing of the A4L version? Who makes it?

[Ryan_T]

I'd be interested to know as well.

Or now that we have quite a few people interested, maybe we can get DieselGeek to make one, since they have plates for a lot of other VAG cars, including B5-7.

[naemcivic]

I'll find out from a friend in Beijing.

[apexit1]

I'd want one for an S4...

[linet90]

I'm thinking I might be able to use SolidEdge to create a 3D model if I can get the right measurements of the existing plastic ones (just for contact points and screw positions), but not sure if there's a better way to digitize it than just measuring and reconstruct from scratch.


Or maybe I should just take a big piece of cardboard and stick it under the car?

I would make it on a AutoCAD program, I use Inventor or SolidWorks.
I could probably design one to be the same size and then upload it onto a CNC Machine.

[Afroman]

I would make it on a AutoCAD program, I use Inventor or SolidWorks.
I could probably design one to be the same size and then upload it onto a CNC Machine.

i agree. get dimensions of the area of the skid plate then make a couple simple 2-d models of the skid plate and make it from then. this case you have something to refer to and a general idea of what it should look like

[dsq]

just to add on top of what scottuk already mentioned,

the panzer and evo aluminum plates don't just attach to the existing holes in the belly pan, you have to add new metal frames into the car to bolt the aluminum plate on as well as bolting it to the car's frame, making it almost impossible to rip off. something you may want to keep in mind if you were making your own belly pans.

[Ryan_T]

^ That makes a lot more sense. But that means welding, a more involved design, and obviously, price.

[Alkivar]

the B5 plate from Evo bolted right to OEM locations... there is no reason we shouldnt be able to work something similar on the B8s there are PLENTY of holes to screw to.

bought a plasma cutter today so we can fab mine. just gotta get the car over to the mechanic and get the belly pan off to make a template.

again I ask one of you B8 A4 guys to either send me a template off of yours or send me your plastic pan so I can make a comparison between the one on your car with the one on my car... same platform but there may be variances.

[cory_can]

Damn.....I completely forgot about this or I would have made a template while my new exhaust was getting installed last week.
If anyone is getting some work done on an A4 2.0 in the coming days please try to make a cardboard template of your OEM plastic panel so we can compare it to "Alkivar's". A proper aluminum plate would be really nice to have....a little money for lots of peace of mind.

[cory_can]

Just received an email back from Dieselgeek....they are willing to do development on a B8 platform car but just don't know an owner in the San Antonio area. If there is anyone in that area that could help them I'm sure they'll give you a skid plate or at least VERY heavily discounted.

Here is the expectation from Dieselgeek...

"It takes 2-3 months going back and forth with prototypes requiring several 1-2 hour sessions with the car."

[cory_can]

Nobody willing to help?

[b8dsbA4]

I'd get one. This snow in Jersey is a killer

[newtonc2001A4V6]

I would also consider purchasing one ..... out of curiosity, is kevlar an option or is aluminum better?

[airride6nb]

In Belgium there is a company that custom
supplies, there are 2 options are aluminum and steel
250euro prices for steel, for alloy 600 euros

http://www.concept-wheels.be/

audi a4 b8/8k

[Banan]

Call Audi and tell them you want one of these:


Carbon fiber and though as nails. Will post clips of the abuse later ;)

[inNout]

In Belgium there is a company that custom
supplies, there are 2 options are aluminum and steel
250euro prices for steel, for alloy 600 euros

http://www.concept-wheels.be/

audi a4 b8/8k

That's alot of money for mediorcre craftmanship.