draco

Not sure what the following accessory is acutally called, but does anyone know if anything like this was ever created for the 2nd Gen RX's?



I see a lot of SUV's with this optioned on them and they definately add a dimension to the front which I feel is missing from the front of the RX (I have a 2nd Ge RX330).

I have seen that this accessory is available for the 3rd Gen's (although they don't sell them here in Australia).

The closest thing I have seen is the nudge bar that they do sell in Australia, however I do not want a nudge bar when my car is primarily around the metro area (i.e. )

pauljcl

I don't know the name either, but I would call it a 'front skid plate', with the objective of avoiding damage when off-road front obstacles would otherwise 'bump', scratch or damage the front underside. Off-roading is not quite the RX specialty.

draco

While that's true, it's more a looks thing as I had described earlier. "It's adds a different dimension to the front...". I do do country runs every now and then, so there is also a good reason to have a front skid plate on the front of the RX where you might drive on some gravel or small rough terrain or that big rock that can bounce up and take out the air condensor (which is why I currently have mesh filling that gap down the bottom).

pauljcl

Yes, draco, I too installed mesh in the open gap in front ... even though I do no off-roading, I felt it was too much of a risk - e.g when following a truck loaded with gravel or rocks.
Otherwise, no, I do not know where/if the skid plate can be found. Of course, a metal finishing shop could probably make one or modify one... Do any come for the Highlander? Are all those you showed OEM or is there a 'skid plate' dealer? - I've never seen one on a RX330-350.
Sorry I could not help... Good luck!

Poisson

They go by the generic name of "underbody protection". Might be worth checking with a 4x4 accessory specialist like ORE in Myaree, but I suspect you'd have to get it custom made for a Lexus.

draco

Hey Paul, I will have to check our ORE in Myaree and see what they have if anything.

I was thinking of possibly designing one to suit my tests and then getting the sheeting bent (hopefully not a ridiculously expensive exercise - will have to find out though) to a design and seeing how it looks.

All I have to do now is find some cardboard and see if this project will come to fruition seeing as no-one makes these for the RX (pre 3rd Gen).

Rainbird

I guess there is a reason for skid plates on some vehicles. Personally I don't like the look of it on the RX photo above. It seems to spoil the lines and is somewhat distracting. There are photos of mesh installed in the front gap in this forum that turned out very nice.

ripster

I can see where some may not like the look, but having been disabled along side of the road from deer, I am looking for something that will slow the animal down so I can continue on my trip, the damage I will deal with later.
If the right one can be found it might work. But I need protection in the grill area.

draco

Can't be any worse looking at this

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/brand-new-lex...-/230558239820

Prado design bull bars certainly do not look right on an RX!

Rainbird

Agreed! That's the ugliest thing I have ever seen on an RX.

RX330inFL

Trust me, that little plate will do nothing for you if you hit a deer. Just another item to be driven through your radiator. You need tube steel at a minimum integrated to the frame.