My PK Ranger Hi Rider extra cab is a 2WD and it has a belly plate, as we are blacktop travellers, I see the belly plate as a weight penalty with no actual benefit, is there any reason why the Belly Plate should not be removed permanently.
Removing an under tray can reduce cooling effect as it draws air through as you travel . Even the plastic type !! Keep in mind there has been fires in vehicles when driven on long grass ! Sure youll say you wont drive on long grass ? I doubt youll notice any weight saving ! Plus its very low centre !!
if its the standard plate i think you would be lucky if there is 1kg in it so not really any point in removing it and as aus-kiwi said they can be an integral part of the overall design .
I think more realisticly, "why would you remove it"? Unless it weighed a "ton", and obvuiously it does'nt, what benefit would you gain, not sure what you are trying to achieve. Ian