PSA on Loose Underbody Shield Bolts

[domoplaytime]

Ok so the reinforced is steel and the non is carbon fiber?

Right. The carbon fiber also has a thatched texture to it if you look closely.

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[domoplaytime]

I don't think that's correct. Reinforced underbody shield is steel in the middle AND carbon fiber at the front and back. At least that's what mine is.

Oh I didn't know that. Is the carbon fiber an extra layer on top of the default underbody carbon fiber?

 

[GHuff]

Right. The carbon fiber also has a thatched texture to it if you look closely.

I thought the regular underbody was plastic? I have reinforced underbody and it definitely has carbon fiber in areas.

 

[GHuff]

Oh I didn't know that. Is the carbon fiber an extra layer on top of the default underbody carbon fiber?

I have no idea. And it's pretty annoying that there isn't a clear understanding of this (Rivian's fault imo).

My reinforced underbody shield has steel in the middle section. Everything in front of and behind the wheels is protected with carbon fiber plates. It's one flat smooth surface from front to back, but it is not the same material.

 

[Prime]

Is there a side by side of the non reinforced vs reinforced? Would be startling if what someone noted was true that cars being charged with underbody shield were coming with standard.

 

[domoplaytime]

My reinforced underbody shield has steel in the middle section. Everything in front of and behind the wheels is protected with carbon fiber plates. It's one flat smooth surface from front to back, but it is not the same material.

I thought the steel was the reinforced underbody. I also thought that the default config includes carbon fiber with maybe some plastic paneling. Further, I even thought that the steel goes on top of the carbon fiber in the middle. I don't know why I thought those things or if any parts are true.

My understanding is that the carbon fiber can protect against road debris like rock strikes at highway speeds, but that the steel underbody was meant for rock crawling and skidding on its belly. That type of protection is only needed in the center when the breakover angle just won't do.

 

[jebinc]

Is there a side by side of the non reinforced vs reinforced? Would be startling if what someone noted was true that cars being charged with underbody shield were coming with standard.

As I understand it, if you have a couple inch wide depression in the middle, running front to back, you do not have the RUS.

 

[domoplaytime]

Is there a side by side of the non reinforced vs reinforced? Would be startling if what someone noted was true that cars being charged with underbody shield were coming with standard.

I might be able to post some of a friend's soon, but I'd rather not inspect his truck outdoors in our current Pineapple Express deluge. Maybe someone else can help? In the meantime, here's a different side by side of said friend's vehicle.

 

[godfodder0901]

Some senior Rivian employees (specifically Brian Gase) have mentioned that you can't tell the difference by simply looking at it.

 

[domoplaytime]

Some senior Rivian employees (specifically Brian Gase) have mentioned that you can't tell the difference by simply looking at it.

I wish they were the ones making the original decision to keep or pass on the OG OC wood.

 

[GHuff]

Some senior Rivian employees (specifically Brian Gase) have mentioned that you can't tell the difference by simply looking at it.

I would be shocked if this was true.

 

[godfodder0901]

I would be shocked if this was true.

Watch the Rivian Dad video from the Denver service center open house where @Pixelshot interviewed Brian. I think that's where he said it.

 

[jebinc]

I might be able to post some of a friend's soon, but I'd rather not inspect his truck outdoors in our current Pineapple Express deluge. Maybe someone else can help? In the meantime, here's a different side by side of said friend's vehicle.

Are you in Seattle area like me? Winds, rain and pineapples here right now!

 

[jebinc]

Some senior Rivian employees (specifically Brian Gase) have mentioned that you can't tell the difference by simply looking at it.

I’m going to suggest that person might be clueless. I recall seeing pictures of both somewhere on some forum and the look is different. The RUS had the smoother looking bottom of the two.

 

[godfodder0901]

I’m going to suggest that person might be clueless. I recall seeing pictures of both somewhere on some forum and the look is different. The RUS had the smoother looking bottom of the two.

You can make that suggestion, but that only solidifies that you don't know who Brian is (Chief Engineer of Special Projects and employee number 4) and have never talked to him.

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