I was curious...I'm debating whether to spring the $92 on the rear diff protector on my new WRX, and was wondering whether anybody has actually had one save them a differential, either during tarmac/gravel/dirt road driving or rallycrossing. Any anecdotal evidence?

Thanks,
Dan

My aluminum one from Primitive has PLENTY of scrapes in it. Obviously taken a few hits.

Glenn

hehehehe you should see mine!!!

scratched all to hell... and it's still tough as can be!!

i highly recommend... erm... no i DEMAND you get one if you are going to go off road...
www.get-primitive.com (http://www.get-primitive.com)

j. www.subiegal.com (http://www.subiegal.com)

Not only the benefits of protection, but also serves as a great jacking point if you auto-x. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif

I'm sure it has, but I've never actually gotten under there and looked.

well...better safe than sorry http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif
michael

If you plan on rallying or even going to a rally I would highly recommend it. Would you rather spend the extra $90 now or a couple hundred later if it gets damaged. By the way, I worked out a deal when I got my car, I got the differential cover, alarm, and CD player for nothing and got it lower then sticker price. You just have to know how to bargain.

i think my rear diff. protector was worth it...i looked under one day...the whole bottom of the protector was scraped up...i think it was a good investment

BTW, It's about $54 from Subaruparts.com.

hmmmm.......WRX........"World Class Rally Car"......no stock skid plates......hmmmm, again

I would not venture off road without one - both front and rear. And, it's not the repair cost after the fact that sucks, it's the walk home after you blow out your diff on a stump http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif.

Don't get the SOA one. They are made of steel and weigh to much, just hold off and get one from Paul E. Primtive Racing. That is where I got mine and it is only 7 lbs and tougher than heck! I think the current model impreza rear diff protector weighs in at 12-13 lbs, but I might be a little off.

Jamie -

They may be reffering to the SOA rear-diff protector... The Primitive RDP did not fit my 2000 GT, so I got the SOA one, and it was just as hefty as the Pe plate... (and yes, I paid $54 for the SOA RDP) (edit: and there is *no way* that it was 12-13lbs, mine was as light as the Pe plate)

But if they are talking about the SOA front Skidplate, aka the Zena-plate, then yeah, that thing is crap...

A

[This message has been edited by RandyF (edited February 05, 2001).]

I have both the subaru OEM front and rear skid plates on my 99 Outback. The front one is barely better than no plate. However, I really shouldn't complain as I've managed to visibly dent it in two places... I'd much rather take a submerged rock into the skid plate vs into the oil pan. The front subaru skid plate also manages to collect a large amount of mud, grass, and small furry mammals. If I didn't already have the subaru one, I'd buy the Primitive Racing model. It covers more area. My rear diff protecter (also Subaru OEM) does a better job. It's covered in scratches and has a wonderful dent-scraaaape where I swung the rear a bit wide on a turn and almost high-centered the rear on a rocky burm. The rear prot. is also very useful when I want to put the car up on jack stands. Saves time.

When I was putting the plates on, and grunting and groaning (because they're HEAVY) I was sure there was NO WAY I could ever dent 'em. Hehe. Whoops. I'm planning on taking them off and trying to pound some dents out one of these weekends.

It's about time for me to take another trip up to the beach for some sand driving, I want to make sure everything is in working order =)

I got the message loud and clear. Thanks everyone! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif

Dan

I just jack directly on my Rear Diff http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif
Eric

The rear diff, I tell you, is very strong.
I was flying down a iced-over narrow forest road at 80mph one day a few years ago in my '96 Impreza (2.2L) when I hit slight rise. The car went airborne (maybe a couple inches), then landed at the begining of another rise. The vehicle bottomed out. The rear diff smacked the solid ice ground. I thought I blew my shocks out, and could not believe that I didn't lose control.
I scrubbed of speed and pulled over to inspect the car. No blown shocks, no damage to the diff. I just had to drive back to the site of impact. Yep, a nice scrape mark in the ground. So, I took a picture. Wish I had a scanner so I could post it.
I'm a litle less thrill-seeking now, but I do have a Primitive diff plate on my current '99 RS just for show.

[This message has been edited by Getagrip (edited February 05, 2001).]

I understand the concern to save weight.. but at 3times the cost??? The SOA is only 54. A primitive racing one is 150, last time I checked. Yikes!

Don

hahahaha that one from SOA is a J O K E!!! <IMG SRC="http://cwm.ragesofsanity.com/s/net7/explodier_-_smilie.gif" border=0>

Dont even bother with it...
i mean if you are really going to rallyx... or tsd... you will need a REAL skid plate..

that's like wearing a bicycle helmet in a rally event...

hehehee http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif

j.

i see 2 different skid plates on the primitive website. 1/8" and 3/16". is there a significant difference between the two?

roger

yes roger... there is...
i have the thicker one..
it even survived the GT crash... the thinner one would have broken i am sure of it...

my oil pan slammed into the skid plate... really hard!!!! left 2 huge indentations in it...

but the 1/8" would work for light stuff...

not for me... but for some of you it would be just fine...

j. www.subiegal.com (http://www.subiegal.com)

How easy is it to mount the rear diffential protector? Would I be able to do it myself without needing to modify the car itself?

I did mine myself with the aid of my mechanically inclined friend. The only real pain was wedging the diff forward while installing the plate. I'm sure I could do another one all on my own now that I know exactly how it goes.