I'm looking to complete my flat belly package and considering Lil Skip and Shrockworks, front runners, so far.

I remember this thread from back in the day, but things have changed since then:
Skid Plate Options

I've also read some of the other threads on gas tank skids, and the @Unner v Shrockworks nightmare - might be worth a call to them tomorrow.

Here is what I've found so far:

Lil Skip
Lil' Skip's Offroad | Fabricating parts for the offroad enthusiast
Bare steel for $375 + $85 shipping


Coastal Offroad DIY
3rd Gen 4Runner Gas Tank Skid Plate Kit | Coastal Offroad
$381 USD + $149 shipping


Shrockworks 3rd Gen 4Runner Skid Plates, 1996-2002
Powder coated black for $368.95 and free shipping


Savage is out of business and RCI doesn't make a gas tank skid (I have all their other skid plates)

Any others out there I'm forgetting?

What y'all running and how you like em?
(specifically looking for a gas tank skid)


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Lil skips works awesome (only one I have experience with) . Banged into it several times on the poison spider mesa while running 32” tires

It’s tough. Like you get scared at how hard it bumped but nothing was hurt tough.

Mines almost all armored underneath. 4XI front and rear skids combined with their transfer case skid make it metal plate from the bumper all the way to the gas tank, which has its own skid. The only thing not covered is the muffler. Works really well. I porpoised several times right into rock midway on the frame and it took it like a champ.

Don’t forget to add some lower control arm skids while your at it. EIMkieth, lotus (what I have) and I’m sure there’s others.

If your in the big rocks a lot or doing trails like poison spider then the extra armor is for sure needed. That said, it does hells revenge and fins and things without needing them though. All assuming good lines and bypasses on the crazy stuff like 4 foot ledges though. If you take a poor line for the rig your in all bets are off. Experience and good spotting are what’s really needed.

Now if your just “overlanding” on mostly roads and blm trails…. I don’t know that it’s really needed as the weight does start to add up. I’ve been really surprised at just what a set of 265/75’, rear locker s and a 2” lift will do. Incredibly capable. More capable than people give credit for honestly.

You’ve listed all the tank skids that I’m aware of. Some are less expensive than others, some have short lead times. Some are heavier. Just have to decide what your after. I went with the skips skid just based on various forum posts across several sites.

If I had to do it again I'd go with lil skips. That coastal one is interesting, but for the price you might as well get the lil skips that is already assembled.

For the other plates I'd probably go RCI as well. Their stuff seems well put together and thought out.

I don't have one yet but just wanted to say that Mr. Lil Skip will mod his frame rail mounting location to accommodate any odd sliders you may have - Shrockworks bolt-on for example. No charge. I have the 3 pieces of 4XI skids and they are overkill tough and heavy.

I'm kind of leaning towards Lil Skip and sent him a message this morning.

I have full RCI skids (including LCA skids) and the goal is to be able to do anything, not just dirt roads lol

4XI put their bumpers on sale... I'm considering triggering a welded front bumper. The cost delivered is only about $100 more than Coastal's DIY bumper.

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Thanks!
I saw that, but it's for 2003 and later

UPDATE

I called Lil Skips, talked to Chris. Really nice guy.

If 3 or more peeps are interested and place an order at the same time, discounts can be had.

Regardless of that, I'm leaning towards Lil Skip, a fellow 3rd Genner who made a product that he needed, and many others too.

I'm inclined to support a guy/business like that.

Heard nothing but good things and I believe his turnaround is way faster than the crazy lead times some other fab shops are quoting.

I'm using Lil Skip's and have nothing but good things to say about it

I'm running a Lil Skip's. I'm local in Denver and he met me between his house and mine. Fantastic guy and I always want to support local, that's why for my full skids I went with Front Range Off Road.

He said he has a few in stock for immediate shipping

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All good, this is the 3rs Gen section but I can see how that could be misleading

Appreciate your thoughtfulness
Thanks!

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He didn't have them in stock when I ordered mine a few weeks ago, but he still had it in my hands in less than a week.

I met up with him down at Mountain States to pick mine up. Super nice guy, we got to chat for a bit before the wind was too much.

Lil Skips is my short list of gas tank skids. Was lucky enough to score a set of mint Savage Skids from a friend of mine last year. My stock tank skid is taking a beating. Might have to try to setup a group buy later this year when I'm ready!

Octanejunkie you mentioned needing 3 sales to get discount (group buy). do you know what the discount is? I have been waiting on purchasing a Lil Skips but maybe this will push me over the edge.