Mabett | Shield Cover for Underbody Cavity Behind Left Rear Tire Available Now!

[deej]

Installed mine yesterday. Excellent fit and finish! No issues with bolts lining up with holes, and no problems with the two bolts that go into the cage nuts after squeezing the lock washers a little bit with some pliers (following advice found earlier in this thread).

Overall a very straightforward and easy installation thanks to the excellent video!

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[S Dundee]

I was not able to get one, yet. This product looks quite clever and well designed so looking forward to when I can get one. As a suggestion, I would think it better not to use a split (lock) washer between the bolt head and the aluminum panels. A split washer has sharp edges and will deface the nice aluminum panels you have made. I would probably use flange head bolts (larger surface area without having to use any washers) with a drop of blue thread locker.

 

[Tbone289]

I was not able to get one, yet. This product looks quite clever and well designed so looking forward to when I can get one. As a suggestion, I would think it better not to use a split (lock) washer between the bolt head and the aluminum panels. A split washer has sharp edges and will deface the nice aluminum panels you have made. I would probably use flange head bolts (larger surface area without having to use any washers) with a drop of blue thread locker.

The lock washer is separated from the aluminum by a flat steel washer.

 

[sva50233]

when will these become available again? i tried the link in the first post but the deal had expired and i couldn't find it with a search

 

[MABETT]

when will these become available again? i tried the link in the first post but the deal had expired and i couldn't find it with a search

Once the next batch of products arrives at the Amazon warehouse, they will be available again. They are currently on the way to the Amazon warehouse.

 

[sprubs]

The next batch is already on its way to Amazon's warehouse. I'll update you once it arrives.

Thanks! Hopefully before winter really sets in with all of the salty crud

 

[A.Bursell]

Update with some experience and recommendations:

I had previously mentioned using different hardware. I definitely recommend this. The hardware I got from Home Depot and was relatively inexpensive for being "specialty" hardware flange bolts ($10). Regular hardware would have been much less and even that I recommend over the hardware that comes with it, but the think the serrated flange bolts are the best approach and eliminate the need for extra washers and lock washers. Here are the correct sizes:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbil...-Steel-Flange-Bolt-2-per-Bag-802528/204281407
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbil...-Flange-Bolt-2-Piece-per-Bag-840198/205011282

When I went to change the hardware, I discovered pine needles and water on top of the plates -- after just driving through one rain storm. These definitely need some added foam to really do their job. This is because the bottom of the truck isn't flat, where the plates are. I had added a small strip up front but they need a little more around the diagonal cuts at the front in order to really seal the front. Notice how the diagonal areas have much more foam that the straight front edge -- the gaps there are larger. Without anything there you will have big gaps and basically trap moisture and dirt and other junk inside there. Hard to explain but if you want to wait until you install it you will see what I mean. I still like the design, but this is a big flaw. I probably could have still used another piece on the inside corner of the front, but it is much better than it was. Here is how I added the foam:

You can see where the foam seals when installed. Without the foam you will have big open gaps. This really needs to be added in order to work the way it is intended. Here is how it now looks installed (also notice new hardware):

And finally another shot with the rest of the new hardware:

There is really only a single factory bolt removed other than the big bumper bolts. I didn't think that bolt was really all that important for torque, but the bumper bolts I did add a little more loctite and torque to 85 foot pounds.

In summary -- really nicely made piece, but I find the hardware lacking and most importantly it doesn't quite seal the way it should in order to really work effectively. But a little foam takes care of that. Overall, glad I got it and installed it.

 

[unclerunkle]

@A.Bursell love the improvements, I hope @MABETT includes them in the product soon.

 

[Tbone289]

I would rather allow the water that finds it's way above the shield, and it will, to drain out rather than be sealed on top. To me the purpose of a shield like this is to minimize exposure rather than to attempt waterproofing.

 

[A.Bursell]

I would rather allow the water that finds it's way above the shield, and it will, to drain out rather than be sealed on top. To me the purpose of a shield like this is to minimize exposure rather than to attempt waterproofing.

Water isn't likely to drain "forward" where I added the foam anyway. But I did not add anything on the back or sides so there is still potential drainage for anything that might make it past. I would rather keep water, dirt, debris from getting in there to begin with and I think that is the whole point here. Otherwise, I'm not sure what exposure you mean - if not protecting from that stuff, what are you protecting from?

 

[Tbone289]

Water isn't likely to drain "forward" where I added the foam anyway. But I did not add anything on the back or sides so there is still potential drainage for anything that might make it past. I would rather keep water, dirt, debris from getting in there to begin with and I think that is the whole point here. Otherwise, I'm not sure what exposure you mean - if not protecting from that stuff, what are you protecting from?

See my comment about waterproofing. Corrosion doesn't occur from water being thrown up there, it occurs from paint damage from fast moving, sharp debris and water collecting on exposed (paint damaged) steel surfaces. The shield does a fine job of blocking paint-damaging debris. Water absolutely will run forward as the truck is parked, and it will get above that shield regardless of the foam you have added. It needs every opportunity to drain out, IMO.

 

[A.Bursell]

See my comment about waterproofing. Corrosion doesn't occur from water being thrown up there, it occurs from paint damage from fast moving, sharp debris and water collecting on exposed (paint damaged) steel surfaces. The shield does a fine job of blocking paint-damaging debris. Water absolutely will run forward as the truck is parked, and it will get above that shield regardless of the foam you have added. It needs every opportunity to drain out, IMO.

Not saying you are wrong about the causes of corrosion and acting as a sort-of skid plate. But, see my comment about what I found when I pulled the shield down. After one rain drive and then being parked in my garage for a day it had water and pine needles sitting on top of it. When was it going to drain out? When were the pine needles going to go away? What would it be like after a year? Probably turn into a bunch of muck. IMO, if left open it will collect dirt and debris and while it may not cause corrosion specifically, the potential is there - and I don't really want to provide a spot to collect that stuff anyway - that was my main concern - keeping things a little cleaner.

 

[Tbone289]

Will putting foam in that little gap stop the pine needles? There are much larger gaps than that around the perimeter of the shield. Will you be sealing all of that up too, so the pine needles can't get through those?

 

[A.Bursell]

Will putting foam in that little gap stop the pine needles? There are much larger gaps than that around the perimeter of the shield. Will you be sealing all of that up too, so the pine needles can't get through those?

I foamed the entire front of the plate- the straight edge and the two diagonal parts. My assumption is that most or maybe all of the debris comes from the forward side, probably kicked up from the tire for the most part. From what I recall, the only gaps on the side are all the way at the back around some body structure. I suppose it's possible there could be some type of wind swirling effect that would cause debris to blow sideways at the back of the truck, but I think covering the forward side will take care of most/all of it.

I actually think the diagonal cuts are the biggest gaps and allow most of the dirt/debris in, so I stacked a decent amount of foam in there. Previously I had just payed a single strip of foam on the straight front part and after installing I could see the big gaps on the diagonals. I'll take a look at it again after a while. I could be way off or maybe missing something- but I feel pretty good about it for now.

 

[Mabcim]

@A.Bursell @MABETT

With this being attached to the bumper bolts, I am looking for thoughts on how the crumble zone may be impacted by installing this.

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