skid plate question

5175 Views 8 Replies 6 Participants Last post by rcpbigdog, May 14, 2014

fjk6807

Discussion Starter · Mar 28, 2014

Hi All, I am new to the NB. my very first car at 16 was a 64 bug. I have had several over the years. just bought an 06 convertible. I have seen some info about skid plates etc. There is nothing under this car but the oil pan which hangs low. I have researched and the only thing I find is a plastic cover as the oem part. What I need to know is was there supposed to be some sort of metal skid plate or oil pan cover? Is there an aftermarket part that works well? I am concerned about how low the oil pan is.

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billymade

· #2 · Mar 28, 2014

Oil pan damage; is a real and constant concern! Some of the New Beetles (I believe the convertibles); had a metal plate that the dealer could special order but many people opt, for a aftermarket version; that is much more protective then the VW version.

Two vendors make them: Dieselgeek and Evolution Imports:

Panzer Skid Plates > New Beetle 1998 - 2010
The Dieselgeek VW New Beetle skid plate protects the undercarriage including the New Beetle's oil pan from road debris.

Skid plate; (with or without oil drain hole)
Volkswagen Skid Plates

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onlya5speed

· #3 · Mar 28, 2014

mine is supposed to have the plastic cover,but they are no good.im looking for a good metal one,like checkered plate or aluminum.i made almost everything for my car and all I need nor is a good skidplate.if you find one let me know.mine is a 98.i just got done a pushbar and hellwig lights and a winch and trailerhitch.tired of making stuff,lol.are the convertables and coupes the same underneath.i have no idea.never had to work on my car much till last year,so I never worked on a http://newbeetle.org/forums/members...kelines-fittings-rear-clean-up.jpgconvertible

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Jeff2

· #4 · Mar 29, 2014

Our '05 New Beetle Convertible has a factory metal skid plate. I'm surprised your '06 does not have one as I've been told that the metal skid plate is an integral part of the structure of the vehicle.

But, as billymade posted, there are aftermarket skid plates available which I'd recommend. Our skid plate has several deep scratches in it and I'd hate to think of what would have happened to the oil pan without the skid plate.

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onlya5speed

· #5 · Mar 30, 2014

about skidplate

is yours a full length one jeff?like right from front to back?

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fjk6807

Discussion Starter · #6 · Mar 30, 2014

no skid plate on 06 conv.

Jeff2 said:
Our '05 New Beetle Convertible has a factory metal skid plate. I'm surprised your '06 does not have one as I've been told that the metal skid plate is an integral part of the structure of the vehicle.

According to two different dealers there is not a metal skid plate on the 06 conv. I guess I go for an aftermarket

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Jeff2

· #7 · Mar 31, 2014

fjk6807 said:
According to two different dealers there is not a metal skid plate on the 06 conv. I guess I go for an aftermarket

Makes sense due to the design changes between the '05 and '06 years. Our '05 skid plate covers pretty much the entire bottom of the engine compartment. You have to take the darn thing off to change the oil, which is a p.i.t.a. So, if possible, I'd look for an aftermarket skid plate that's either easy to take off and put on, or has some other way to change the oil easily.

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nicnod

· #8 · Apr 28, 2014

im very surprised it doesn't have it either , I would be concerned that some idiot
hasn't bothered to put it back on (its a real pain getting it off)
it protects the engine including the sump , mines has already taken a knock , without it the oil sump would have been wrecked ,
I would order the original part from vw or get the panzer plate .
i'm having trouble getting mine off to do an oil change , im in the uk , 6 of the bolts are m8 spline head screws (triple square in US) they are really hard to get off , as well as those nasty fellows there are 6 t20 torx screws and 2 16mm heavy bolts
im pretty sure vw never intended for the skid plate to be removable , because the convertible has no strength up top they reinforced the bottom with the heavy metal skid plate , it makes the chassis stronger
personally i wouldn't drive it till u get something fitted

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rcpbigdog

· #9 · May 14, 2014

skid plates

My 2014 R-line convertible has what seems to be rather heavy gauge alum. plate under the front third and rear third of the under belly. Didn't notice if there is any access for oil drain in the front though.

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