Having a look at removing the lower front grill, I spotted a weakness in the factory fit underbody protection tray. Mud was collecting behind the mud flap, getting trapped under the plastic tray via a gap and going solid.

I've plated over this gap with some redundant polyurethane rally flap material, using the fixing screws already holding on a feeble bit of plastic to the underbody. I've left a drainage hole clear, and the droop shown here is not really visible when it's off the ramps.

I've got the wheel arch kit as well, so hopefully I'll avoid the worst of the gravel rash when in forestry stages

The new material is layered, like roofing tiles, so hopefully mud from the front wheel will sweep past/ over this spot and not get trapped there - time will tell.

Do you have a shot further away from the vehicle by any chance? Im trying to place where that is... the main piece shown is the piece you've added?

That was the only shot I took!

It's behind the OSF wheel arch, the big sort of shiney bit is my new material tucked into the bottom of the mudflaps

Ah, ok. So is that a rectangular hole above your panel? Sorry if it sounds like im being difficult, I was under mine yesterday when it was on ramps and I just cant remember mine having the hole? (it probably does though!) There were a few leaves stuck in the front of the sill area but nothing underneath to be concerned about.

Ah, ok. So is that a rectangular hole above your panel?

No, just a gap between the plastic panel held on with two screws, the mud flap and the leading edge of the undertray.

Mud was accumulating under the front edge of the undertray, and down the side of the welded sill seam/undertray.

This bit of my plastic will hopefully divert muck further down the car where it will get washed away.

It might be that I go in more mud than you do

I had mud in my RRP, but that was because I broke it and then went though lots of deep mud. :lol: been replaced now.

Otherwise not noticed the car carrying any extra mud that I didn't want it to!!!

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Do you have a shot further away from the vehicle by any chance? Im trying to place where that is... the main piece shown is the piece you've added?

Just for you Taken from the front.

I took both main plastic underbody protection panels off a couple of months ago and found a considerable amount of mud and stone chippings loitering on top. Whilst this just hosed off, there was also a fair amount of wet mud along a third of the length of the now exposed inner sill which didn't impress me, particularly as (at the time) the weather had been dry for about 10 days. I don't have the RRP, these are just the standard fit ABS (or similar) underbody panels, held on with several plastic "nut/washer" fixings onto threaded studs hanging down from the floorpan. Debris is obviously getting in just behind the front wheels, and the mudflaps don't stop this.

As it was only a 5 minute job to remove each panel (and the small additional ones just behind the wheelarch) without jacking up the car, I decided that I'm going to drop the things off periodically for cleaning - but, it's a rather poor design that if left unattended will undoubtedly lead to rusting of the inner sills in time. Being charitable, I guess the gap at the front is probably there to encourage air to ventilate the gap between the panel & floorpan, but water & mud can obviously get in there too, particularly on vehicles that go off road from time to time (as ours do Jerry).

Next time I have a look at them, I may copy your additional protection flaps, so thanks for the idea Jerry.

John H

Next time I have a look at them, I may copy your additional protection flaps, so thanks for the idea Jerry.

John H

Hi John, just noticed you're from Sale - I spent my childhood there.

I might try the Legend Fires again next year in the Yeti, it was a long way in my little SJ earlier this year

Hi Gerry

So did I.... !!! And some would say I still do, I'm far too young to grow up - even if I am retired!!!

North West Stages is 9th Feb this year. Not too much mud at Weeton, but plenty of gravel to get caught on the underbody protection panels! :wonder:

I just had to research the new "flaps" scientifically - a good flooded road, muddy tracks, hill starts on leafs/mud/gravel/even more water seemed a good idea.

They seem to work fine - dry as a bone underneath and no crud jammed up between the car floor and the leading edge of the RRP behind the OEM mudflap.

There was a little mud between the sill seam and the RRP further down the sill, but that was easily washed away.