BT Tech Introducts 2 new products for the Prius

Underbody does not have much drag to begin with. Blocking the grill would improve the most. See the chart from a Volvo with 0.29 cd.

 

If the skid plate doesn't conflict with the TOM'S front lower suspension brace, you can put me down for one too.

 

ditto... it'd be handy for that 40km of gravel road i like

 

Always a comedian.... How about mud? Snow ultimately would melt - sooner with global warming; but mud, that gets harder with temperature increase (with the right composition (as in clay), it becomes brick-like).

 

This is really a very good idea and an improvement for a product not yet released for sale, I vote for it and count with my order if the price ($$ x AL x Lb) is right.

 

I was thinking about the same concept while reading the full thread.
I sign-up for this idea to..... lets make it happen!!
and How about to install a periscope or a video camera to check the conditions of the skid plate ?

 

ooh... woe be to the tech who drops a socket in THAT engine compartment!

 

Hmmm....yeah, that could be interesting. Is there any little 'drain hole' at the lowest end for water and grit and...sockets? Is there any stiffening effect of the front end? Where does it attach? How many bolts to remove the plate? Do I need to drill and tap holes? I'm liking your idea so far, Brian. Would you consider taking an unused spoiler back in trade?

 

Or, for assisting in parking to eliminate the blind spot in front? The skid plate is a perfect mounting point for a video camera.

 

A magnet could drag the socket (or wrench or whatever was dropped) over to the access hole. No big issue compared to the protection for the expensive bits.

 

Brian, what was the second new product? (Your thread title refers to 2 new products.)

 

Hmm, good question. Does this impact the crumple zone's ability to crumple?

 

... If you're looking to lose it?

 

I was wondering the same thing.

 

no offense meant, Brian, but DH would be asking his customers to remove that prior to him working on it. flat rate's tough enough without spending a half hour trying to dig a $50 socket out of a prius NOT equipped with an undershield. where he worked, he knows for a fact they'd charge extra to work on it.

you've accounted very well for regular maintenance as far as the access ports go. but part of maintenance is visual inspection, which gets a lot harder with that part on. looking for oil leaks, mouse nests, whatever. can't be done without removing it.

Brian, have you looked at any increases in engine/trans temps in response to this mod? the picture doesn't show the back end of this very well, how much clearance is there to allow exhaust heat to escape?

how much does this plate weigh?

he doesn't mean to dog on you Brian, honestly. but skid plates and prius seem a highly unusual combination. he hopes you can use his viewpoint to improve your design, because he does support modification and innovation like what you're doing.

 

One approach that is followed by other skid plate manufacturers is more holes: http://new.minimania.com/web/Item/N...SKID PLATE SUMP GUARD - MINI COOPER & S 02-06

Another approach is to make the skid plate more of a set of longitudinal bars connected at each end by a cross-bar that is in turn bolted to the chassis. The concept follows the skid bar model for off-road vehicles. Indeed, the H1 Hummer has a number of the skid bars mounted to protect the engine, transmission, transfer case and differential areas.

I would think the the skid bar model would address most of DH's concerns.