Warren Chapman wrote:
Larry,
Thanks for responding tho the "oil pan thread". I am anxiously awaiting
the results of your measurements to see how much must be cut out the oil
plan to clear the Syncro skid plate.
Before I got started, I wanted to compare the truck and the van for ride
height. First I measured the truck and then exchanged tires with the van and
then measured the van. I found that the van rides ? inch lower in the rear
with the truck empty.
The lowest point on the Subaru oil pan is 7 inches off the ground. In the
van it would have 6? inches clearance.
The highest point on the skid plate under the VW WBX engine is 9 3/8 inches
above the ground. If the skid plate were mounted on the truck, the highest
point would be 9 7/8 inches above the ground.
For the skid plate to fit on the truck withour modification, the oil pan
would have to reduced by at least 2 7/8 inches - The $200 1? inch reduction
isn't enough.
The KEP exhaust header on the truck is 9 inches off the ground. The $200 1?
inch reduction in the oil pan would make the bottom of the oil pan about the
same height as the exhaust 8? inches vs. 9 inches. (i.e. on the van it would
be 8? in. vs. 8? in.). The skid plate, if mounted on the truck would be
about 10 inches above the ground where the KEP exhaust header comes from 2&4
cylinders. This pipe is about 9 inches above the ground and the skid plate
wouldn't clear it.
IMHO the $200 1? inch reduction is worth it because it brings the whole area
underneath to the same clearance (approx).
The stock skid plate won't fit without modification. The risk of off-roading
without a skid plate is too high.
-Larry
