TR4/4A TR4 Skid Plate

[Alan_Myers]

Hi all,

I'm looking for one of these.

Has anyone recently purchased part #301644, TR4 Skid Plate kit, from any of the U.S. TR vendors? If so, was it as expected, a complete kit and how much did it cost?

Thanks.

Alan

 

[Alan_Myers]

Hi again,

I'm adding a little more info in hope of some replies...

I've been talking with John at The Roadster Factory and they are considering having some reproductions of the TR4 Skid Plate made up by a good, local fabricator. They have an original plate available to use as a guide. In case you are unaware, TRF has a reputation for very accurate reproductions. Also, U.S. cutomers would likely benefit from buying a U.S. made part right now, given the unfavorable exchange rates.

TRF, and possibly others if they are using the same source in England, haven't been able to get any skid plates from their manufacturer for a couple years.

That's why I was wondering if anyone knows of alternative sources.

Or, should there be no other source, if anyone would have an interest in the parts from TRF it would be good to let them know. I'm sure TRF would be more inclined to make up a batch of skid plates if they knew there was a good degree of interest.

Again, part #301644 fits TR2 through TR4, not TR4A and later. TRF has been using this part number to refer to only the skid plate itself. I pointed out that it is a part number for a complete kit including mounting hardware and brackets, per the Standard Triumph Spares Catalog.

Cheers!

Alan

 

[TRMark]

Kinda interested in one of these myself. Are they made of steel or aluminum? Has anyone built one for themselves?

 

[trboost]

Alan,
Was the skid plate on the 4 so differant than the TR250 & six. I know it didn't have the sway bar mounts but since the chassis are so similar I wonder what changes could be made to make use of the plentifull later six plate.

 

[Alan_Myers]

Hi,

Yes, I've considered making up a skid plate myself, something similar to the design shown in the catalogs, taking advantage of the existing holes in the frame rails. I've even got a mockup made up with foam core board out in the garage, right now. I'd prefer to have an original to work from, however.

But, there is little incentive to make one if I can get one through TRF or another vendor at a reasonable price, especially if theirs is a very accurate reproduction taken from an original sample.

Yes, the TR250/5/earlier TR6 skid plate can be used on TR4 and possibly even earlier models, and it even has some provision for mounting a sway bar. (The TR2/3/4 plate doesn't. Sway bars were mounted on separate brackets.) The TR250/5/6 plate is not "correct" but would certainly work and be fine for a driver, race or rally car. However, I'm not sure the TR250/5/6 skid plate is much easier to find than the TR2/3/4 plate. I haven't looked to see if it's in the catalogs, but will, just out of curiousity.

As far as I know, all were originally steel. But, I'm not totally certain of that. I suspect most were steel, though, because an old racer chassis stiffening and strengthening trick was to weld the skid plate in place, rather than bolting it on.

I do know the catalogs say it can't be fitted with the standard, deep alloy sump, but I'm not sure why. From the illustrations I've seen, it appears to end at the rear of the cross member, well short of the sump. Besides, I plan to use the "short" alloy sump, which is the same depth of the as the stock steel oil pan. My car doesn't have that much ground clearance to begin with and I certainly don't want to make matters worse with an oil sump hanging below the frame rails!



Cheers!

Alan

 

[StevenNewell]

I bought a TR3/4 skid plate from Moss about 3 years ago. They said it was their last in stock. It DID NOT FIT my early TR4. Although it does match the Standard-Triumph factory diagram detailed in an old service bulletin, the triangular pieces welded inside the bend to reinforce the plate clearly would interfere with any attempt to install it on my 4. I sold it to a TR3 owner at a discount, and to the best of me knowledge it fit his car fine.

I have photos of the Moss plate somewhere if anyone is interested. It was not a kit, as the original mounting scheme required drilling and some fudging.

Personally, I'd rather have an aluminum plate designed with a bit more protection, lighter weight, and with easier installation and deinstallation in mind. Here in Colorado there are plenty of skid plate makers for the jeep crowd, I just haven't got around to asking anyone to make one for my TR4.

Steven Newell
Colorado, USA
'62 TR4 etc.

 

[Paul W.]

I am that TR3 owner who purchased Steve's skid plate. I never got around to installing it on either my TR4 or my TR3. It's still in the shipping box with Steve's address in the upper corner. I thought that I would need it to protect my low hanging oll pan, but figured out a way to raise the motor instead. It is a very well made piece of iron.

Alan, I would be more than happy to forward it on to you for the price I paid Steve. (plus shipping, or course). Email me privately if interested. In the meantime, I will try to find Steve's old email for the price.

Steve, nice to have you aboard the forum. It's a great resource. Welcome.

Paul W.
Torrance, CA
1964 TR4
1956 TR3

 

[Paul W.]

I found Steve's old email which has two photos of the skid plate attached. Alan, (or anyone), feel free to email me and I will send you copies of the photos so you can see what we are talking about.

 

[StevenNewell]

Thanks for the welcome, Paul. I suppose you could sell that plate on eBay for thousands now that we know how rare it is. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Indeed, the plate was sturdy, I can see how it'd stiffen the front frame rails.

 

[Alan_Myers]

Hi Steve and welcome,

I got your direct email, too.

I've not heard any more from John Swauger at TRF, if they plan to make skid plates or not, although I've talked with him a couple times in the past month about some backorders that are making me crazy. TRF does have an original skid plate to use as a guide. Maybe they'd produce something better than the one you bought from Moss. Or, it might be the same thing. It doesn't seem like a terribly complicated thing to make.

I've also considered just fabricating one out of steel or aluminum. Wish I had an original to look at, but meanwhile I've already mocked one up out of foam core.

Can you tell me some more about the one that didn't fit your car and why? From illustrations I've seen, the triangulations on the inside look pretty important, to add rigidity. Did you remove the original radiator guard from your car? Or, did they interfere with the bottom of the radiator?

As to fastenings, the one I've mocked up is intended to use the four existing holes in the side rails of a TR frame, and the two in the bottom of the cross member at the front of the engine. Those last two would need to be drilled the rest of the way, through the top of the cross member. I worry a little about any weakening of that cross member. I suppose the best way to install using those holes would be to weld a 1/2" OD pipe (3/8" ID) inside each, much the way Triumph original did with other through-bolts on the frame. Overall, in order to position the skid plate below the existing holes, it seems to have come out a little larger than the originals I've seen photos of, but again I can't be sure.

I know some folks used to simply weld the skid plate in place. That might be best for frame rigidity, but personally I'd prefer something that could be unbolted for access to various stuff at the front of the engine.

Paul, the original skid plates did little to protect the oil sump. On the other hand, the original pressed metal sump cover is flush with the bottom of the frame. If it's hanging below at all, engine mounts need replacing or shimming up, so you did the right thing.

The original skid plate apparently wouldn't work with the cast alloy sumps offered as an accessory by Triumph, nor with the deeper ones available today. The cast sumps are deeper than the pressed sheet metal version, mainly because of the thicker material and the oil pump pickup inside. Today there are special, shallower cast alloy sumps available, that also end up flush with the bottom of the frame, but require changes to the oil pump pickup, too.

What I don't understand is how there would be a problem with the skid plate, used in conjunction with any of the various sumps. The plates I've seen photographs or drawings of all appear to end right at the rear edge of the frame cross member, so shouldn't interfere with any sump put on the car.

By the way, I've looked at TR250/5/6 skid plates too, and the mockup I've done borrows the idea of optionally using it to attach the front sway bar. I'd also drill a number of holes in the center of mine, to direct more air into the oil cooler and radiator on my car.

Any pictures of TR skid plates anyone can offer would be great!

Cheers!

Alan Myers