On the outside, it looks like a good plate but I really do not understand sellers. I mean, ok, most folks don't buy aftermarket stuff to really use it, but I would think skid plates are an exception.... The gas tank skid they show looks beefy as the Shrock and the C4 offerings but it lacks cutoffs for water and mud egress. Not sure how one cleans it.
On a different note, I pulled my front three skid plates, which are my RCI plates. Of course, I have been looking at them often from the outside, but I thought I would clean them, chase the treads in the holes, and take care of all the places where the powdercoat has been stripped. I am not sure I see the point of powdercoating them, but I did not know they could be had in bare steel when I got them as the site does not show such an option.
One of the tubular supports of the front skid is now at a mild angle and not straight. I guess that happened when I hit a rock at speed and bent the front where the oil change door is. The bulge under the front differential is not only stripped of powdercoat but also rusted on the outside. I have to check if the inside touches the differential. I have lost the tread above the hole where the other tubular support bolts in. I guess that is the cause of an annoying noise I have been hearing offroad (or not). Will see what I do there.
But, no, no damage to the vehicle. The RCI front skid has taken the beating and I think it can take a lot more.
For the transmission skid, I have the optional support brackets on the inside and I think they should come standard. It is nicely scraped on the outside, but is in perfect shape.
I am especially impressed with the transfer case skid because this is the one that works all the time. The brakeover angle, especially with the skid, can be insufficient even on moderate trails ( I am not using the word loosely as most do; a moderate 4x4 trail is typically a straightforward trail for a 4Runner; a moderate rock crawling trail for highly modded rigs is another story). But in between the shape of the skid and the additional crossmember to which it bolts, it is in great shape. I do use the hose clamp mod and I do also use a zip tie to make sure I do not lose it if it falls off.
Back to the front plate, I am not in principle thrilled that it is narrower than the stock skid but haven't had an issue. Still that is a bit of a concern, but not a great one.
I also rust treated the underside of the A-arms, which have a bit of rock rash, the scratches on the underside of the Shrock sliders, and I had already repainted twice the Total Chaos skid protecting the pax side rear LCA bracket which takes the award for most smacked skid so far. The gas tank Shrock skid has some very minor scratches.
I will need a rear diff skid if I don't want to have drain plug issues and if I want to preserve its appearance should I ever want to sell the rig (doubt a dealer would care but an informed private buyer might).
