Thank you. I've not posted much about my trail rides since I did this several months back. I've done many trails I never deemed possible in a 4R and 2 which were not possible, but fun trying. In any case in all the trails I've done in last 4-5 months my current front stock skid has been destroyed (awaiting new design front skid from budbuilt) not once but twice as I had the old one from the '12. My gas tank skid has a few nice hits but the new transfer case skid has never been touched.

This simple testament proves the amazing ability this rather simple (and should be very cost effective) mod gives to the truck.

I've read through your entire build thread a few times and it's great.

I will have something very fun coming soon to this one.

@4rNCMTNs , apologies for the off-topic question (VERY nice work, BTW!!), but can you tell me the make/model of those wheels? I've had a pic of a silver 4r like mine with these same wheels in bronze on my desktop, trying to find out what they are.

No problem. they are the FN countersteer X wheels:

FN Wheels – Konig Countersteer Type X

There is mention of the Bud Bilt skids on the Metal Tech 4x4 web page. The marketing info SEEMS it indicate that what they have from Bud Bilt will do (or is the same as) the Tummy Tuck. That said it is not super specific.
Can anyone confirm that the skid packages on Metal Tech's site is in fact the Tummy Tuck kit??
AMLOR

They are not the same. At the moment I'm the only one with the tummy tuck skids. they are are for the most part the same except for the trans skid which is different.

Also, Metaltech only sells the overlanding skids from BudBuilt for the 5th gen 4runner. BudBuilt sells both the lighter overlanding skids and the heavier rock armor skids, which I have.

Complete Armor Systems

I suspected that was the case. I would love to get my hands on a Tummy Tuck kit...complete with clocking instructions for the T-case.
Any word when they may (or not) release this bit of genius to we, the unwashed masses?
AMLOR

Same. I'm in for this. Bud Built take my money.

I am interested too in release date and pricing.

Quick bump, any updates on this ?
@4rNCMTNs

Very rad. Too bad I already spent a bunch of money on regular skid plates.

Bumping

4rNCMTNs, cool concept and I'm sure great execution of it but can you post some pics of results? I'm having hard time accepting usefulness of this without visual reference. Thank you

Wow! This is badass! Looks so clean

I see you started on the SAS build! Congrats on that, it's gonna be a bad ass build.

Is there any updates on the tummy tuck kit from BudBuilt? @4rNCMTNs

Hello, they have been crazy busy with a LC200 stuff since the did my tummy tuck. So sadly not a lot of progress on it even if they have all the knowledge and pieces to do many more just not sell it as a kit yet.

with that said, I will probably be selling my skids soon of which two were custom bent due to the tummy tuck. the new cross member may also be coming out too not sure. I'll ask Bud when I speak to him next in the next day or two.

Yes the SAS is going to be an amazing build. It will be a bit different and pushing the limit a bit more than the few before us.