upgrading skids
I have decided to upgrade the skid plates on my 4R. I am looking at RCI since they currently have a 15% discount and reasonable shipping. Initially I plan to order the full skid set (engine, trans,transfer case) and the A arm skids. I am stuck on choosing aluminum or steel. The steel clearly is stronger, but at a 25% weight disadvantage as well as potential rust makes the aluminum consideration worthy. My off road trips will be enough to justify these, but I am looking to see what others RCI owners chose and why. As far as intended use, no rock crawling or tackling major ledges.
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I think it depends on your use. For me, aluminum for sure, but I'm worried about rust and I'm mostly "bashing" snow and sticks.
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I'm still not convinced you should actually buy skids if you don't rock crawl at all. Maybe it depends on your lift amount and tire size but dropping a grand on skids, a t-case is what, $300 to replace? Keep in mind you're adding weight to the lowest part of the vehicle so you'll actually be lowering the center of gravity. It's the best place to put the weight compared to something like a roof rack. I guess my vote is for just doing the transmission skid from steel. Buying something else with the savings. |
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And skip the A-arm skids. They're pointless overkill |
I went with aluminum, but that was after I got a lift so I scrape a lot less now than stock (stock height is not 9.6 as Toyota claims by the way). If you are not going to be doing a lot of rock crawling, aluminum is the way to go. I recommend still getting the front skid powdercoated (or you can just paint the front part with a rattle can), otherwise the aluminum will start to look tacky after a while. The rest I wouldn't worry about powdercoating. I didn't bother with the lower control arm skids, I didn't think that would be an issue even if they were hit.
Otherwise, just make sure you put anti-seize on all the bolts when installing. |
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I just don't see the use-case for aluminum skids. You either use your skids or you don't. 1/8" steel is a much better and cheaper option than aluminum. |
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I went with their aluminum for weight savings.
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Buy whatever makes you sweat less, I just don't see how 1/8" steel has any disadvantage to aluminum. |
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I personally use an aluminum front skid and steel transmission and tcase (+ Diff skid). Main reason I went steel for the trans/tcase was I like to rock crawl and was worried about slipping off rocks. Can control the front pretty well but not the middle lol.
Been driving all over Death Valley (not particularly difficult terrain) and haven't felt the need yet for having All Steel vs Aluminum yet. Will probably replace the front skid with steel if I land on it one more time lol. |
One may not be rock crawling, but objects can still be thrown up into the undercarriage. Surprisingly large and hard objects.
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk |
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