Belly Pan replacement options?

[SeattleJeremy]

We purchased our B5 Wagon with it's belly pan missing.
I understand the stock one is plastic and runs about $150 (ref), and there are metal skidplates available for about $250. (ref)

Has anyone made one out of coroplast? Any guidance you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

If I did go the coroplast route should I use the stock mounting hardware kit? (ref)

Edit: Added the link to the Thor belly pan.

[atsffan]

The stock belly pan is some kind of plastic with (maybe) a fiberglass reinforcement. Mine's lasted over 11 years and is still holding together fairly well. There's also the belly pan for the W8 model that used to be dirt cheap, but is now at least as expensive, but supposedly better quality material.

I wouldn't think Coroplast would hold up well at all. Plus the fabrication would be a nightmare.

[StuartQF]

I like my thor...

[soundguybob]

I have the metal pan, and will never ever put the plastic one back again. If you plan on owning the car any length of time, anticipate that you'll be replacing the plastic one at least twice, so the cost for the metal one is more than justified, IMHO. Plus, if you've ever seen how thing the oil pan is, you'd want something substantial to cover and protect it!

[NEWMAN'SOWN]

Yet another Thor plate owner here. As above, the Thor plate is well worth the price, it only takes one time of having your oil pan bust open to payoff the investment in the plate. I'm not sure what Coroplast is (link?)

[sktrdan15]

If you're lowered at all, absolutely go Thor. But for a normal daily driver, I think you could get away with the one that comes on the car stock. Really just depends on 1) the conditions of the roads you drive on and 2) how you as a person drive the car.

Just my .02

[Dubs89]

Another Thor owner here as well..... it's SO worth the price. Just saying.

[SeattleJeremy]

Coroplast is corrugated plastic sold in several widths and sizes. I've read a 4'x8' sheet runs between $20 to $30, but haven't found it locally yet. The folks on ecomodder seem to be obsessed with the stuff, because it holds up so well in all types of weather. It's the same stuff they use to make candidate signs around election time.

Here's an idea of how to set it up.
echo bellypan install with pics and template - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com

My car isn't lowered, and right now is mostly a weekend car. Never off road. I drive my Pontiac Vibe daily.

[mcseforsale]

Coroplast looks like it would melt VERY quickly...especially around a 200 degree oilpan. For those who don't know, its the stuff that they make for-sale signs out of and stuff:

Coroplast® Stock Sheets

I've heard awesome reviews of the Diesel Geeks Panzer plate:

http://www.dieselgeek.com/servlet/Detail?no=374

AJ

[TheReflex79]

Thor all the way, I'm about to install one on my Audi A4, but you figure there is alot that it protects. Also the price of the Thor plate is so much cheaper then what it would cost to replace/repair what it protects.

[DerhsLacidar]

\I've heard awesome reviews of the Diesel Geeks Panzer plate:

B5 Panzer Plate Heavy Duty Aluminum Skid Plate for all 19982005 Passat Sedan or Wagon including TDI 18T V6 and W8 by www.dieselgeek.com

AJ

I've got a dieselgeek panzer skid pan. It was the best investment I've made for my b5. I personally like it better than the Thor, but they both do the job equally as well. Worth every penny!

[Lmandrake]

Having worked with c-plast, I think it would work fine. Fabricating the pan would be a bit of a PITA as you would have to work out the sections where the pan attaches to the front wheel well liners. If you replicate the cooling scoops in the original, I would not worry about heat.

Of course, if you drive the hell out of the car and actually do have to worry about bottoming the oil pan, join the metal belly pan club.

[nolesfan]

If you're lowered at all, absolutely go Thor. But for a normal daily driver, I think you could get away with the one that comes on the car stock. Really just depends on 1) the conditions of the roads you drive on and 2) how you as a person drive the car.

Just my .02

Or be like some and ride with no protection, right Dan?

[mcseforsale]

Barebelly?

AJ

Or be like some and ride with no protection, right Dan?

[LineInTheWater]

I've also been debating whether to replace my recently destroyed belly pan. The thing shredded after one of the attached points released (no idea how), and by the time I realized it was dragging (radio too loud), it was way too late. Hard to justify spending $150 on a piece of plastic, even though I know it can potentially save the oil pan from an expensive fix down the road.

[sktrdan15]

Or be like some and ride with no protection, right Dan?

Hahaha....well I do consider myself a rebel...but like I said, it depends on the driver and the road conditions...have not had any problems for a year and a half and the bottom of the pan looks pristine whenever I change the oil so there!

[mr.fisher]

Looking at the Thor option for a W8, anybody know what's up with the spacers? Looks like they're unavailable/discontinued. Is there something I could grab from the hardware store that would work?

[ECS Tuning]

Most of our belly pans are on sale -

Volkswagen Passat B5 4 Motion 1.8T > Exterior > View All > ES#263634 Lower Belly Pan - 8D0863821S

Volkswagen Passat B5 4 Motion 1.8T > Exterior > View All > ES#248563 Lower Belly Pan - 8D0863821S

[AbEx]

I would highly recommend the thor skidplate, I've had mine since 2006.
You should be able to find some standard hardware to use for spacers on the w8. I wouldn't hesitate to contact evolution import directly though for questions, they are very helpful.

[bob the builder]

i was just on the evolution website through the link somebody provided and i had to laugh when it says that the sump guard which is made of aluminum will never rust.

[SeattleJeremy]

Most of our belly pans are on sale -

Volkswagen Passat B5 4 Motion 1.8T > Exterior > View All > ES#263634 Lower Belly Pan - 8D0863821S

Volkswagen Passat B5 4 Motion 1.8T > Exterior > View All > ES#248563 Lower Belly Pan - 8D0863821S

Do the belly pans you sell come with the mounting kit or is that sold separately?

I may not buy the belly pan yet, but I'll be purchasing some interior bits from you soon.

[wong93719]

My OEM pan broke after 2 snowy winter. I got the dieselgeek panzer pan for 2 years now and I find it easier to remove then the OEM one.

[99maroonB5]

2 years on a thor. I will never roll without it. Saved me several times now

[lreven]

Thor or Panzer ---- that corrogated stuff is TRASH ---- it's like using a Tinker Toy for a deadbolt.

[ECS Tuning]

Do the belly pans you sell come with the mounting kit or is that sold separately?

I may not buy the belly pan yet, but I'll be purchasing some interior bits from you soon.

Mounting hardware kits -

OEM / Performance Parts for Audi, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Mini, Porsche & Volkswagen - ECS Tuning

This Belly Pan kit will come with 3 mounting screws -

[SeattleJeremy]

Looks like my car is missing all of the mounting hardware.

So, after the price of shipping and the mounting kit it's only $38 more expensive to go with the Thor plate. I think I'll do that.

Thanks everyone!

[pablitormDub]

Nice^ thor it! Have had mine for 4 years & no worries

[Dubs360]

Jeremy,
There is a company in Kent called Calsak plastics. They have great pricing on sheets of all types of plastic compounds...If you don't go with the Thor plate check em out.

[SeattleJeremy]

Jeremy,
There is a company in Kent called Calsak plastics. They have great pricing on sheets of all types of plastic compounds...If you don't go with the Thor plate check em out.

Sweet thanks! I just called them, they have Black 4'x8' sheets of Coroplast in stock for $14 a sheet

[keithermadness]

Thor and don't look back.

Mine has a couple of good sized dents and lots of gouges.

Be warned.