If anyone is going down the dirt/rally/rough road type suspension route...
 

If you are considering rough roads...this is one of the best skid plates I have ever used.... thoughtful and high quality engineering.

5mm thick A2017 Duralumin, 4 quick release mounting points, with protected bolt apertures, with heavy duty brackets.
Once the brackets are first bolted on, the entire plate can be removed or refitted in a minute or two (quicker than the standard under tray)
Easily supports the weight of the car as a jack point too.

Is this the cusco piece?

- Andrew

What plate?

Not Cusco.... way more proper.

Laile have a series of legit, serious, rally guards under their brand ARPSport.

I dont know if I am allowed to post a direct link, but if you have a look on their Japanese web page under "rally and dirt trial" there is some brilliant stuff.

This is item number A564001...and they have even heavier duty versions.

I think it's sold under the Cusco name too. 965 211 A. Not sure if it's exactly the same part but I knew I'd seen it somewhere in the past. It looks like an awesome piece.

Do you have a weight comparison to the OEM under tray? Do you have a rear diff protector?

- Andrew

The ones I have found go under the Beatrush label.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/LAILE-Beatr...-/372968584216

Laile 564001

Way more than I need, but looks very cool.

Appreciate the write-up and nice to see a skid plate with some battle scars.

Both are Duralumin
Both are 5mm thick
Both use same/similar mounting hardware.
Both use same/similar mounting locations.
Laile/Beatrush/ARP Sport has a different leading edge and side profile.
Cusco has a more flush leading edge and square design.
One is proper, one is not?

https://i.imgur.com/S4SDXPK.jpg

Nah, not the same, this is the link to the Laile products, (note the ebay listings have the wrong images attached, but correct product number) :

http://laile.co.jp/en/carparts/rally.../guard_series/

I don't have the diff guard as without proper rally ride height there are too many road clearance issues. But I have seen it on another car here, and it is very good.

Much much heavier than standard tray...around 5 kg for this version, and a fair bit heavier again for the more "rally" version which has another layer of 5mm duralium overlaid in strips, and is larger.

Different quality of mounting hardware.
Different design of fixed mounting brackets.
Provision of easy removal/attachment for fender liners.
More contoured and tucked fitting.
Ground clearance better overall, particularly forward of the front wheel centre line.
Much easier initial fitment, without need for modifications under the bumper area.

After actually physically comparing with an 86 fitted with the Cusco guard, this plate is more thoughtful in design and execution.
So yes, "more proper" for me.