ARB Skid Plates

[High_Country]

Yup, I just resurrected a really old thread.

But, I'm curious for any longer-term reviews or updated opinions on the ARB skid plate package. Anyone?

I'm well aware of the Shrockworks and Budbuilt and RCI products, but, as this thread mentions a number of times, I don't need quite THAT level of protection for mild wheeling / overlanding in Colorado. And, if I can save money and save weight while still adding some protection and piece of mind, I'm all in.

Thoughts?

 

[Jeremy556]

Thoughts?

I would go with a partial set of Bud's or Shrockworks over the ARB. The ARB are very light duty, and discounting that, the rear of the trans/transfer skid interferes with the exhaust cross over, and will require frequent modification.

I'd give you my old ARBs for free, but I threw them away already.

 

[ccastonguay]

I have the RCI's set up on the front half, pretty much everything but the fuel tank. I think they are great and the price is hard to beat, and they really arent that heavy, I didnt notice any fuel economy drop after they were installed.

 

[st8rocks]

protection for mild wheeling / overlanding in Colorado. And, if I can save money and save weight while still adding some protection and piece of mind, I'm all in.

Thoughts?

This is why I went with RCI aluminum. Save weight, mild protection, and RCIs are the cheapest aluminum available.

 

[penberth]

I would go with a partial set of Bud's or Shrockworks over the ARB. The ARB are very light duty, and discounting that, the rear of the trans/transfer skid interferes with the exhaust cross over, and will require frequent modification.

I'd give you my old ARBs for free, but I threw them away already.

I contacted ARB support about the fitment issue regarding rubbing the exhaust, and they sent me ARB part#3521030 (FJ UVP Reinforcement Bracket Kit.)

It came with a metal spacer kit, however, I was able to use the extended bracket which lowered it enough to not rub.

The ARB skids are much lighter duty than say Buds, etc, but they are also a lot less expensive. I am not going to be rock crawling, so for now, these will work fine.

 

[cutty01]

Resurrecting an old thread. I ordered a set of ARB skids from the recent Total Automotive Group Buy and am having 2nd thoughts especially since there is a RCI GB going on.

I chose ARB skids because I will be doing more expedition than rock crawling. I know RCI/BB would be a superior product but weight and price is a factor for me based on my intended use.

Can any ARB skid users send their most recent experience with how well they have held up and if they had wished they had just invested in RCI or BB?

I ordered an RCI aluminum gas tank skids and depending on your input I might try to cancel the ARB order and do all RCI. Thanks in advance.

 

[Jeremy556]

I ran ARBs for a few months. Total crap. Threw them out and got Bud's.

The design of how the transfer case skid mounts is terrible, it's a PITA to remove the front plate for oil changes, they are weak as hell and up bending the mounting tabs on the frame.

 

[cutty01]

I ran ARBs for a few months. Total crap. Threw them out and got Bud's.

The design of how the transfer case skid mounts is terrible, it's a PITA to remove the front plate for oil changes, they are weak as hell and up bending the mounting tabs on the frame.

I really appreciate your input! Can you please tell me what kind of off road driving you do for them to fail like this?

 

[Jeremy556]

I really appreciate your input! Can you please tell me what kind of off road driving you do for them to fail like this?

Rock crawling, but they wouldn't hold up to dirt much better.

If you look at the stock front skid plate, there is a steel tube that transfers load to the frame. Because of that lack of support on the ARB, the front skid will crush with even a small fraction of the 4runner's weight resting on it, and tear up the mounting tabs.

The rear mounting of the transfer skid is a weak L bracket that will interfere with the exhaust crossover and rattle, right out of the gate. It gets worse as every time the transfer skid hits anything, it reduces that clearance further. When you get a much larger piece of angle iron to replace the L bracket, the tiny mounting bolts that go into the cross member will simply shear off.

I'm generally a fan of ARB products, but their skids are worthless. The OEM skid plates are better.

 

[RedStripeRanger]

Damn, now I am second guessing the skids I got too.

 

[Jeremy556]

Correction, it is not the transfer case skid, it is the trans skid which contacts the cross over pipe (directly in front of the cross member on this FJC, behind it on the 4runner). You can see the wimpy L bracket here and the 3 10mm bolts that will shear off. Almost forgot, the "transfer skid" is that joke bolted onto the transfer case itself.

In the center, rear of the stock front skid, is the part that transfers load to the frame cross member.

 

[RedStripeRanger]

Sooo the RCIs are probably worth the few extra dollars is what I'm hearing?


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[CoolMax]

Looks like I need a compatible filler plate....

 

[Signal]

So I have a question. Is there anyway to get some of the pics uploaded again. like where the oil filter is and where the drain plug is? I will be doing mostly sand and dirt down here in lower AL and somve overlanding, and these seem to be half the price of rci plates.

 

[Signal]

Anyone??????????? I am looking for lightweight skids and these seem to be a good fit for us non rock crawlers.

 

[MAST4R]

Anyone??????????? I am looking for lightweight skids and these seem to be a good fit for us non rock crawlers.

What's wrong then with the stock skids? The front especially is well-designed as pointed out above. I will be very surprised if the ARB front provides more protection than the stock one.

Maybe stay stock and just get the RCI transfer case skid? The breakover angle is the vehicle's weakest spot and that skid with the extra crossmember that comes with it does a great job not only in rocks, but also when you crest over anything else.

 

[STX4Runner]

^^^What he said. The stock front is not a bad plate. Just get some aluminum plates for the transmission and t-case from anyone who makes them if your worried about it. But for sand and general light trails you'll be fine with just stock.

 

[cutty01]

I bought a pair of ARB skids but sold them. I bought them because at the time they provided the best price for the most coverage. Nothing really wrong with them, but they were definitely thinner than the other aftermarket skids out there. Before even mounting them, I sold them and went another route...

I kept my stock front skid and instead bought an RCI aluminum transfer case skid and aluminum fuel tank skid (I have an LE). I didn't bother about the transmission skid as the tranny sits a little higher than the rest of the front undercarriage components. I'm so happy I did! During a 4x4 class, my spotter directed me on a bad line and I scrapped a rock leaving a nice gouge on the transfer case skid and part of the fuel tank skid. Not one mark on my OEM front skid. I've been on a number of offroad medium trails, and I have yet to need more than what I have now. If I do find the OEM front skid gets a nice wallop, then I'll replace that with something stronger. I'll likely go steel for that one.

IMO, buy what you need, when you think you need it. If you're not rock crawling your OEM skids would be fine. If you want some extra insurance buy what needs the most protection first (transfer case skid and if you have a non-Trail, the fuel tank skid) and pay attention to your lines. Then add additional protection along the way. Not only will it ease your pocket book spend, it will also save you on unnecessary weight gains.

 

[MikesDuneRunnerSLS]

Good plates

 

[RockyMtnT4R]

Installed the ARB skid plates this evening. I painted them with Rustoleum bedliner... I just didn't care for the light gray, besides it makes them easier to touch up.

I also wonder if they haven't changed the design a bit given some of the older reviews. The transmission skid included a piece of square tube which bolts to the skid and contacts the frame crossmember. Thus, adding additional support to the bracket and keeping the skid from contacting the exhaust crossover. In fact I might do something similar to the front skid (similar to the stock skid) depending on how things appear to be holding up.