Consolidated 5th Gen Skid Plate Info Thread

[Tuco S.]

Anyone have the full skids from C4 Fab? I have their fuel tank skid on order, and eyeballing the full set. They look beefy!

 

[Fredward]

Anyone have the full skids from C4 Fab? I have their fuel tank skid on order, and eyeballing the full set. They look beefy!

They’re a brand new product so I’m not sure anyone even has them yet. Website says 15 week lead time! I’m not sure I want to wait that long but I like their design. I just wish vendors would put more frickin pictures and specs up! Specifically pictures of the top sides of the skids. I’m looking btw c4, cbi, and 4x. Plus I want a gas tank skid.

 

[Tuco S.]

Will the stock plastic lower radiator cover that fits between the lower edge of the stock bumper and the stock engine skid plate work with the RCI engine skid plate or does it require the RCI filler plate to cover that area when using the RCI engine skid plate?

I don't believe the plastic cover will work, since the holes don't line up. That seems to be the only reason RCI offers the filler plate.

 

[Tuco S.]

They’re a brand new product so I’m not sure anyone even has them yet. Website says 15 week lead time! I’m not sure I want to wait that long but I like their design. I just wish vendors would put more frickin pictures and specs up! Specifically pictures of the top sides of the skids. I’m looking btw c4, cbi, and 4x. Plus I want a gas tank skid.

Ahh that makes sense. I've pretty much talked myself into buying the full C4 skid set and their rear diff. The fuel tank skid I ordered on 12/9 is scheduled for production on 1/27. If that holds, it would be about an 8 week turnaround.

 

[TexasTJ]

RSG just released a new rear skid that covers catalytic converters too.

 

[teotwaki]

Texas TJ

Thanks for pinging the thread! I'll try to update the first post about the RSG release.

Looking at their pictures I guarantee I could bash and bend that "tongue" that is supposed to protect the transfer case. In the usual offroading I go on I could bend the skidplate badly enough to push it into the transfer case and bust aluminum. Other than the stiffeners welded to the inside of the plate that skid is unsupported past the two bolts that hold it to the frame.

Flawed design!!

 

[teotwaki]

first post updated: Feb 11 2022
updated RSG info

 

[TexasTJ]

Texas TJ

Thanks for pinging the thread! I'll try to update the first post about the RSG release.

Looking at their pictures I guarantee I could bash and bend that "tongue" that is supposed to protect the transfer case. In the usual offroading I go on I could bend the skidplate badly enough to push it into the transfer case and bust aluminum. Other than the stiffeners welded to the inside of the plate that skid is unsupported past the two bolts that hold it to the frame.

Thanks for starting the thread, I’ve been researching full skids, including fuel tank for myself. I share the same concern with the t-case tongue of RSG. A couple other companies I found were:


ARTEC Toyota 4-Runner 5th Gen Bellypan System
Ironman 4x4 Premium Underbody Protection Suited For 2010+ Toyota 4Runner - Non KDSS
Allpro 5th Gen 4Runner IFS Skid Plate
ASFIR Toyota 4Runner Front Skid Plate - 5th Gen | 2010-Present - 4Runner - Toyota - All products
RESZ Fab RESZ Fab Heavy Duty Front Skid Plate for 4Runner (replaces front & mid factory skid) | RESZ Fabrication

 

[osugsxr]

anyone use the RESZ HEAVY DUTY Toyota 4-Runner Skid Plate, found one locally that im considering if i can get a good price on it. Would prefer not taking off the skid plate if I can during an oil change.

 

[jdm-v35]

Thanks for starting the thread, I’ve been researching full skids, including fuel tank for myself. I share the same concern with the t-case tongue of RSG. A couple other companies I found were:


ARTEC Toyota 4-Runner 5th Gen Bellypan System
Ironman 4x4 Premium Underbody Protection Suited For 2010+ Toyota 4Runner - Non KDSS
Allpro 5th Gen 4Runner IFS Skid Plate
ASFIR Toyota 4Runner Front Skid Plate - 5th Gen | 2010-Present - 4Runner - Toyota - All products
RESZ Fab RESZ Fab Heavy Duty Front Skid Plate for 4Runner (replaces front & mid factory skid) | RESZ Fabrication

I just put on the RSG skids and like them. I think the transfer case coverage seems sufficient and sturdy, and the skids are wider and have better coverage than RCI etc. which is why I chose it. Front and Mid coverage width is similar to CBI, and they also have a nice steel addon you can get to cover the gap between radiator support and bumper to protect the radiator and radiator support. I also like that the exposed, non-embdedded bolts are all thick button head bolts. They are harder to install, but they won't strip if you hit them on a rock.

 

[TexasTJ]

I just put on the RSG skids and like them. I think the transfer case coverage seems sufficient and sturdy, and the skids are wider and have better coverage than RCI etc. which is why I chose it. Front and Mid coverage width is similar to CBI, and they also have a nice steel addon you can get to cover the gap between radiator support and bumper to protect the radiator and radiator support. I also like that the exposed, non-embdedded bolts are all thick button head bolts. They are harder to install, but they won't strip if you hit them on a rock.

I bet the coverage is actually adequate, it was probably just the two dimension of the camera. I ended up with CBI steel, including gas tank.

 

[Gone4Wheeling]

Hefty Fabworks Skids on 2022 Limited

Just finished installing a full set of Hefty Fabworks aluminum skid plates on my 2022 Limited. They fit perfectly with no cutting or modifications. Only issue was with the gas tank skid steel bracket near the rear wheel was 3/4" too short. I simply fabricated a 3/4" solid aluminum shim to make it fit. Other than that, all brackets and bolt holes line up perfectly.

They weigh 92 lbs but OEM skids removed weigh 43 lbs, hence net weight added is only 49 lbs.

Update- Looked at the fuel tank skid plate again and will loosen bolts and try again to remove the 3/4" shim I added because it looks like the skid plate is lower on that corner. Will update after re-checking.