I was talking to a guy about my skidplates and how I was going to show up all the Land Rovers at our next run together
:D

and he mentioned possibly a good point (not sure).

<snip>
Watch any plates you put over your cats. Had a few guys go out with cat
plates into dry terrain (grass etc) and the kindling that caught under the
plate ignited from the heat. Luckily they had fire extinguishers handy.
<end snip>

comments?

Now I'm not a professionnal, but I've work on my friends rally car and I say just make sure no grass gets in there. If you buy a prefabricated skid-plate for your x-terra, couldn't you make additionnal plates to make sure no grass gets in?

Anyway I say it's better to have a skid plate and take certain precautions, then to be a wuss about it and not put one on, right?:)

Well here in the PNW we're under full drought. I'm just hoping the mountains aren't closed off this summer because of the fire danger.

Under these circumstances though it's probably in every 4-wheelers interest to have a fire extinguisher handy. It's also a good reason to stay on the trail, as you won't be driving over tall grass, but dirt.

Unless I'm wrong, aren't the cats on either side of the second skid-plate, but not actually covered up by the plate? (It's dark right now or I'd go look myself.) I don't think you have too much to worry about there, although it is a valid concern for the exhaust crossover pipe that nearly touches the transfer case plate. Not sure how you'd get grass/brush up there though.

I was on a hunting lease in South Texas a few years back where I saw several vehicles catch fire like that. There were some guys out there who let their Jeep burn to the ground. It happened to me with a Chevy truck, and I was able to swat the fire out with my shirt and by throwing dirt on it. This place had alot of high grass, and we were driving through it for days at a time. Carrying a fire extinguisher is a good idea!

Originally posted by gothamist
Unless I'm wrong, aren't the cats on either side of the second skid-plate, but not actually covered up by the plate?

you are correct, the cats are left uncovered. this was specifically done for heat disipation issues. that being said, i might look into putting some heavy grating over mine, just for added piece of mind. that way, there is still air ventilation, but they are protected from casual bumping. yes a full hit would still hurt them, but it might help for some stuff. <shrug> will need to do a cost benefit analysis on that one.