Under-ride protection option?

[Badjaox5]

I actually just found one but with out the installation bracket now I need to find the hardware. Hopefully you guys can sell just the hardware installation kit.

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

I don't want to rain on any parade here. But there are some considerations to this thing that go well beyond a couple of mount points. I cannot know if that's being done here, but I can share my experience with the OE installation. It is meant to offer insight into what could well be an over simplification between form and function.

I installed OE under ride protection ab 6 yrs ago on my E53. Since then, I have ran through a number of places where I used it as intended. One particular time was as I center topped over a ginormous boulder. With no support over the pivot, the X5 balanced over the rock and I slid to the side where gravity pulled. The under ride protection saved my transmission, the oil pan, and considering the integration with frame mounts, maybe even buckling the frame. It is designed for this kind of protection and it mounts to ensure it can provide it. Here's a snap of the parts that do not exist unless they come with the unit. I sure hope the EBay auction included them.

If you attach this thing, or otherwise make it available, do not suggest that it is 'protection' of any sort. Without the connection points on the frame, this is decoration. Absolutely fine for the E53 that never centers over a rock off road- or even one that will not hop a city curb with the lowered clearance.

Here's a pic of the full OE part. Note the cross members where it attaches to the frame. But this is not a OE part that just bolts on and is done. When connected, it becomes a part of the frame. I recall thinking it was the same feeling as a strut tower brace. This makes sense bc it does the same thing, just on the bottom of the frame instead of up top.

Finally, here is a link to the OE under ride installation pdf. Most of the mounting parts are NLA.

You will find that the body flex and pressure that is subjected to an item connected to these mounting points requires a level of engineering that accounts for it. The forces at work under this size of a vehicle will be on the extreme. Without pointed efforts and an understanding of these forces, you will hear pops as the mounting points flex. Thats the best case. Make it too taught and you've got a frame under stress from ill fitting parts.

Connect this thing to the undercarriage in any way other than OE, and I suggest you treat this no differently than lowering springs and a high driveway apron. Use with with your brain, not your balls.

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by Badjaox5

I actually just found one but with out the installation bracket now I need to find the hardware. Hopefully you guys can sell just the hardware installation kit.

There was a thread from someone who sought that exact same solution. He never did update after he found the mounting parts to be NLA.

Edit:
Turns out it was the last part of the thread I did on my install. Link.

[Crowz]

My X5 goes "offroad" several times a day every day aka my driveway. I sometimes navigate ruts that in the center are 6 feet deep. So having a bit more underside protection interest me if I don't lose any ground clearance. I scrub at times as it is.

This is my lifted F250 stuck in a section of my driveway on a bad day.

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by Crowz

My X5 goes "offroad" several times a day every day aka my driveway. I sometimes navigate ruts that in the center are 6 feet deep. So having a bit more underside protection interest me if I don't lose any ground clearance. I scrub at times as it is.

Cool pic!

On OE, you will lose the ground clearance needed for the unit and for the mounts. Nothing comes off to make space for the under ride protection, so the clearance is less by necessity. But that doesn't matter for any E53 with 4 wheel air bags, we can just raise the thing higher.

[Crowz]

Mine doesn't have air suspension