{"product_id":"diesel-mk4-panzer-plate-aluminum-skid-plate-kit","title":"Diesel MK4 Panzer Plate Aluminum Skid Plate Kit","description":"\u003cp\u003eMany MK4 engines have been destroyed by debris putting a hole or a crack in the aluminum oil pan causing the subsequent loss of oil and oil pressure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e Our heavy duty aluminum Panzer Plate kits protect all of the parts in the bottom of the engine bay, including the cast aluminum oil pan, a\/c compressor, radiator, condenser, transmission, and rear subframe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese items, and especially the very thin cast aluminum oil pan, can be easily damaged by road debris, ice chunks, and minor off-road excursions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can see pictures to the left of the damage our skid plate protects against. Also, as you know, Golf, Jetta and New Beetles are very low to the ground and the front suspension is relatively soft which causes the cars to bottom out frequently.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDamage often occurs when bottoming out. In addition, the plastic belly pan\/splash shield that comes with these cars is often damaged. A replacement factory plastic belly pan currently costs crazy money for the New Beetle TDI.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eWhy replace it when you can buy a highly protective aluminum skid plate?\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstalling our hefty .190\" inch thick aluminum skid plate will help you avoid costly repairs and give you peace of mind that your engine is protected!  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9OUWO_MdR-E?si=RP2CFnkWykn9QCrP\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat it fits:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e  The MK4 Panzer skid plate fits all 1998-2006 MK4 Jetta, Golf, GTI, GLI, R32 and all 1998 through 2010 New Beetles, regardless of engine or transmission.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis kit also fits all 2007-2010 City Golf and City Jetta in Canada and Jetta Clasico in Mexico up through 2014.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eWhat about oil changes? \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTDI:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Panzer Skid plates are punched with an easily removed \"keystone\" shaped oil drain plug access window. If removed, this hole will allow you or an oil change technician to easily drain the engine oil from the oil pan without removing the plate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe offer a snap-in aluminum cover for the removed oil drain window for a small additional cost. Alternatively, if you buy a \"Pela 6000\" or \"Hydro-Turf oil extractor\" for around $55 you can change your oil without getting under the car.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe extractors may be purchased online to allow you to suck all of the used oil out of the dipstick tube. They really work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGasoline engines:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Since the oil filters on these engines are mounted low on the engine and face the ground it is necessary to remove the skid plate to change the oil filter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis means there is no good reason to order the plate with the oil drain knockout removed if you have a gas powered car.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRemoval of the plate is only a five minute affair and the plate itself only weighs 17.25 pounds. You may order the plate with the knockout removed but the knockout only works for a four cylinder engine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe drain hole was designed for a 4 Cylinder TDI and is in the wrong place for a 5 or 6 cylinder.   \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAll about engine bay splash shields:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e The side plastic splash shields keep water and dirt out of the engine bay and also reduce engine noise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Panzer Plate has it's own steel structure and will work without them but side panels are nice to keep water and dirt out of the engine bay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlso, you do not need to buy new engine bay side panels if your stock plastic engine bay side panels still have the two middle screw holes in the bottom flange nearest to the ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can modify your existing plastic splash shields in as little as 15 minutes by simply cutting them with a hack saw as shown in this pdf guide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are missing your side panels or if they are too damaged to be used then you can order the Deluxe Panzer skid plate with metal Full Metal Jacket side panels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstructions links for the installing the Panzer Skid Plate kit are here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e The video below shows the rivnut install procedure. This is the most technical part of the install.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMade in USA!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vG-zWQtToCU?si=ZMo0Cdh1WttyJQwg\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dieselgeek","offers":[{"title":"Open Window w\/snap-in cover (4cyl)","offer_id":53334015148326,"sku":"DG-PANZER-MK4-OPEN","price":309.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Closed","offer_id":53334015181094,"sku":"DG-PANZER-MK4-CLOSED","price":309.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0704\/2131\/5878\/files\/PP-MK4-2T_x700_x700_778531d9-a4db-4174-8d5a-eb78856d246e.jpg?v=1781209425","url":"https:\/\/store.ngpracing.com\/products\/diesel-mk4-panzer-plate-aluminum-skid-plate-kit","provider":"New German Performance","version":"1.0","type":"link"}