Factory Skid Plate - Cosmetic or Protective?

[JakeV]

My 2000 SR5 no longer has its factory skid plate. Is it worth replacing with one from a scrapyard, or are they thin enough to be merely cosmetic? In that case, if/when I replace it, it would be with an aftermarket plate.

 

[thegipper]

If you do zero off roading, then it really isn't necessary. Think how many vehicles have no skid plates at all.

If you do any kind of off roading, than it is certainly better than nothing. If you are going to be rock crawling, I suggest getting a better skid plate than the stock one. I still run the stock one but I mostly "off road" on our hunting trails so the skid plate just gets hit by the occasional branch or log here in Wisconsin.

 

[phattyduck]

With the factory radiator sticking down below the front frame crossmember, you'll want to have something on there, even on the street.

-Charlie

 

[reelamin]

My 2000 SR5 no longer has its factory skid plate. Is it worth replacing with one from a scrapyard, or are they thin enough to be merely cosmetic? In that case, if/when I replace it, it would be with an aftermarket plate.

I had the factory on my two 95's and they were fine for dragging off a road edge, brush, etc. My 96 did not have one when I got it and drove it for a year without but only took it on back roads a few times. Now that I am using it like my 95's (DD, Hunting Rig, more crap being driven over) I put an aftermarket skid and tranny plate. I got it off here on a group buy from a member isu2014 who designed and made them up. They were a super great price and extremely well made. I went with the 1/8" and it will handle A HUGE amount of abuse. I also welded the bolt protectors on and painted them. I should have drilled (and will shortly) a drain hole for the tranny.

 

[Hardizzy]

Factory skid plate also channels airflow, improving MPGs

 

[GearUP]

I've had mine off for a couple years now with no issues so far. Plus it was a huge pain getting it back on by myself

 

[mckennar]

Certainly better than nothing - but I recently hit a large clump of grass in a field going 10 - 15 mph and it swayed the skid plate enough so that it now makes contact with the radiator (the metal bracket on the side of the radiator).

I imagine if it wasn't there, I'd be out one radiator and would have been stranded in that farmer's field for a while. But it isn't something I'd trust to hold up to rocks or hard packed dirt on a trail.

I ordered a set of Savage skids (ok, my wife did) to replace it.

 

[johnbyebye]

My concern on-road is a stray rock hitting the radiator just right and cracking it. I need to get some skid plates as well.

 

[thegipper]

No doubt it is better to have it on than not. I forgot how much of the radiator is exposed with it off.

Good point fellas

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

 

[Chuckles89]

The stock skid plate is actually pretty good for most people. If you like to play in the rocks, then you'll need a better one for sure. I busted a hole in mine after a year of hard abuse. Heck, I even bent my 3\16" savage skid plate if that tells you anything.

My buddy got a chip in his rad from a rock on the road, so I would definitely have one on there even for on-road driving.

 

[JayRolla]

I think its better to have it for sure also like stated to protect from on road debris.

Mine has been hit so many times I dont think it can get bent up any further. Need to get a real one soon.