Micro Image underpanel install DIY

[cali yaris]

Now that our underpanel is finished and ready to go, I'm throwing up this quick DIY so your install will go smoothly.
All parts are thick aluminum, hard anodized clear to resist scratching, wear and tear and to make the aluminum surface harder.

** Sedan owners: your panel requires slightly different hole placement, we're making up a few panels just for you.

What you get:
1. main underpanel
2. two smaller brackets (for left and right)
3. one longer center bracket
4. two side panels (the one with the cutout is the LEFT side)
5. 7 Dzus fasteners (you get +1 extra)
6. 3 small bolts with washers and no nuts
7. 3 small bolts with washers AND nuts (you actually get 4, only need 3)

OK, so if you're not in a big hurry, first check out how the 1/4 turn fasteners work by assembling the parts, like this. (or just look at the pictures):

http://www.microimageonline.com/images/products/MI/underpanel-DIY/assembled-1.jpg

http://www.microimageonline.com/images/products/MI/underpanel-DIY/assembled-2.jpg

Here is a closeup of how the Dzus fastener snaps into the spring on the bracket with just a 1/4 turn:

http://www.microimageonline.com/images/products/MI/underpanel-DIY/dzus-1.jpg

OK, if you did that, take it apart and let's get to work.

1. jack up the car - please use jack stands (no pic, LOL)
2. remove the cheap 'n cheezy plastic underpanel (also no pic, sorry Toyota)

3. Install the side panels with the bolts that are already on your car:

http://www.microimageonline.com/images/products/MI/underpanel-DIY/sidepanels-1.jpg

http://www.microimageonline.com/images/products/MI/underpanel-DIY/sidepanels-2.jpg

4. Next, install the front brackets. The larger one goes in the middle. The brackets don't have a front or back. Each bracket is installed with (1) bolt with washer (because that hole is threaded) and (1) bolt + washer + nut. Should look like this:

http://www.microimageonline.com/images/products/MI/underpanel-DIY/frontbrackets-1.jpg

So now you'll be staring up at 7 holes waiting for dzus fasteners.

5. Install the underpanel by sliding it into place, pushing towards the front (we've built a little wiggle room into the slotted holes) and with a thick regular screwdriver, install 7 Dzus fasteners by turning approximatlely 1/4 until they "snap" into place.

Here are the installed pics. Have a nice cold drink and enjoy protection from road grime and flying objects, improved mileage and possibly some extra downforce at higher speeds. Cheers!

http://www.microimageonline.com/images/products/MI/underpanel-DIY/installed-1.jpg

http://www.microimageonline.com/images/products/MI/underpanel-DIY/installed-2.jpg

http://www.microimageonline.com/images/products/MI/underpanel-DIY/installed-3.jpg

http://www.microimageonline.com/images/products/MI/underpanel-DIY/installed-4.jpg

[CDavis7M]

Wow. Should have been like that from the factory.

[silver_echo]

hey garm? any possibility that you might be able to find a 2001 echo local to you who wants this? i kinda want this, but cant afford a trip to california to give you enough time with my car to make them...

[cali yaris]

There is a modded echo guy around here, he is supposed to swing by so we can test fit a BUNCH of parts on his car. I'll add this to the list, thanks

[silver_echo]

There is a modded echo guy around here, he is supposed to swing by so we can test fit a BUNCH of parts on his car. I'll add this to the list, thanks

can i get a list of those parts??? also, talk to the guy and see if he wants to try going together to a custom shop for headlight and tail light housings... if need be, pm me for my phone number and have him call me... i really want to get some aftermarket support for the echo started, and having more owners talking together means more bargaining power... i am already talking with a local tuning shop up here that has a very good reputation, and they are willing to help me with tuning once i find a properly built turbo kit... then once it gets tuned, i might even be able to persuade them to let me take home a copy of the tune to share with the YW members...

[Kaotic Lazagna]

That's perty :biggrin:. And it'll protect the oil pain for the low folks.

[1NZYaris1]

I Think it looks Disgustingly perfect :redface: , I HATE YOU GARM ,
I might have too make one i guess :cry:

[jkuchta]

Also a little tip:

When installing the panel, slide the front of the panel up under the bumper, and then pop the dzus buttons on the rear-most mount hole on the two side plate...

This way, the panel is held in place quite nicely, and all of the holes will line up so gettting the other 5 dzus bottons on will be a piece of cake!

[awdblazer]

thats sick!!! good work!! put a couple bead rolls in there and it would look sicker!!

[markitect]

Looks awesome!!

How secure are those fasteners? The roads around here suck really bad and I'd be worried about them falling out.

[YotaYaris]

Nice, looks sweet and should give improved MPG's

[cali yaris]

Dzuz fasteners are used to attach Formula car body panels. We tested for about a month on John's Yaris, and the panel stayed solidly attached. I'm confident this will not come loose anytime soon.

I promise it's better than IKEA furniture. :thumbsup:

[ROCKLAND TOYOTA]

does that piece interfere with ANY of the under body braces that are out there?

[cali yaris]

Not that I know of - but I haven't tried them all, either.
What is the most forward point any of those attach? - you can see from the pics where the underpanel ends.

[RHDVIPbB]

I definitely would love to have one. Time to set some money aside while you get the sedan ones ready.

How visible are the vertical brackets when the car is not up in the air? I might get those painted or powdercoated if they are visible.
Also does the front bumper flex more or it is still held pretty well in place?

[Kioshi]

wow, the engine is protected from all sides, solid Garm. You should send this to the Yaris rally guys :)

I'm getting one next friday for sure..just need to buy a jack (cheaper is better) :(

[counterfiend]

That looks like changing the oil is a pain the butt now though.

what about a hole in the main plate that is either hinged or just not there so you can reach your hand up and get to the filter and drain the oil?

[silver_echo]

changing oil just includes two extra steps... first step, rotate 7 fasteners 1/4 turn counterclockwise and drop cover... next, change oil as normal... last, insert cover and rotate 7 fasteners 1/4 turn clockwise... sounds easy to me...

[jkuchta]

The addition of this panel actually makes changing the oil much easier, as once the panel is removed, there is more room to work as the OEM plastic panels are gone (those things actually hang down an inch or two below the bottom of the bumper!).

Removing the panel takes about 20 seconds, and reinstalling it takes about 40 seconds once you get the hang of it!

[RHDVIPbB]

oh, how much room is there lock to lock on the steering? Does the wheel get close at all? I only ask because some people might run wider rims/tires.

[jkuchta]

Actually, the shape of the panel accelerates the air as it goes under the panel (under the front of the car), thus reducing the pressure in this area...

As such, if this panel does anything aerodynamic (or anyone gets this car to go fast enough) it will create downforce under the front end. If we can get a reasonable effeciant rear diffuser, this will allow even more air to go under the front of the car, creating even more downforce.

As for wheel clearance, I have 205/??/15 Yokohama Avid V4s's, and only at max lock above about 5-10 mph do I get even a hint of rub. Because of the construction of the side plates on the underpanel, there is actually a little more clearance than with the OEM plastics.

[jkuchta]

bump

[cali yaris]

PK, John's answer about the aerodynamics of the underpanel is correct.

[cali yaris]

You can comment as much as you like, but the science of downforce aerodynamics is well established.

[1NZYaris1]

I Don't care any which way :iono: , cause it's too big to get here :cry:


:evil:




:respekt:

[kngrsll]

wow, that looks fantastic! I would love to see how that would do at the track!! we were having serious trouble keeping any speed on the straight. We were entering at about 90 mph and only able to get up to 103-ish by the end. The car suffers from major drag at that speed, so this could really improve that by quite alot. I have another track event in 3 weeks, now i just need to come up with some money :(

[jkuchta]

Order a table or big bookcase from IKEA, and we'll put it in the box!


While the box may be like 36"x48" (or near there), I can't imgine it being more than 4 inches thick and at most 15 lbs.

[Altitude]

Just got done installing the kit and I gotta say it's super clean and waaaaayyyy better than those crappy plastic covers. Installation was fairly easy but I did have to make some small adjustments here and there to get it mounted correctly. I loosened the bolts that mount the underside of the bumper to the frame and pushed the bumper towards the front a bit taking up all the slack on the mounting holes. And I made sure all the mounting brackets were pushed towards the back taking up the slack on the front mounting holes. This made for much better alignment of the Dzus fasteners as the panel is a super snug fit the way it should be.

Though I didn't check to see if the side panels were visible through the wheels once mounted, I painted the outward face of them using truck bed paint just in case.

Definitely much greater access and visibility to the engine bay when the panel is removed. An added plus in my mind.

It's a winner for sure and Garm and the others who helped develop and test it get a big hand from me :clap::clap::clap:. Awesome mod!!