Front Skid Plate Replacement Options

[IFD933]

Have 2014 SR5 with about 125k miles. I'm located in upstate NY and last oil change showed the front skid plate with rust to the point of needing replacement. I tried to keep up with the rust for a few years, but 8 years of winter driving has taken its toll.

Basic options for replacement seem to be a direct replacement at about $225 or the TRD aluminum front skid at about $275 both from discount OEM sources. It is probably worth spending the extra $50 for the aluminum for the corrosion resistance. I don't do any HD off-roading, just unimproved roads for the most part.

I've read up on previous threads and these seem like my only two options other than the CTH front skid which seems to get mixed reviews and isn't much less $$ than the Toyota TRD. Wanted to see if I'm missing any other options out there and also ask if the TRD front skid allows for oil filter access without removal? Not having to remove the front skid plate for an oil change would be a definite benefit.

 

[jp.vegas]

Have 2014 SR5 with about 125k miles. I'm located in upstate NY and last oil change showed the front skid plate with rust to the point of needing replacement. I tried to keep up with the rust for a few years, but 8 years of winter driving has taken its toll.

Basic options for replacement seem to be a direct replacement at about $225 or the TRD aluminum front skid at about $275 both from discount OEM sources. It is probably worth spending the extra $50 for the aluminum for the corrosion resistance. I don't do any HD off-roading, just unimproved roads for the most part.

I've read up on previous threads and these seem like my only two options other than the CTH front skid which seems to get mixed reviews and isn't much less $$ than the Toyota TRD. Wanted to see if I'm missing any other options out there and also ask if the TRD front skid allows for oil filter access without removal? Not having to remove the front skid plate for an oil change would be a definite benefit.

The TRD skid needs to come off for oil changes.

Lots of choices out there, in steel and aluminum, with options for not removing the whole skid for an oil change. Check out RCI for starters but there really are a crap ton of options for the 5th gen at this point.

 

[ASUMTNEER]

I got a knock off TRD one from Amazon for right at $200. Looks the same as the TRD one, but mine doesn't have the "TRD" lettering.

 

[osugsxr]

Have 2014 SR5 with about 125k miles. I'm located in upstate NY and last oil change showed the front skid plate with rust to the point of needing replacement. I tried to keep up with the rust for a few years, but 8 years of winter driving has taken its toll.

Basic options for replacement seem to be a direct replacement at about $225 or the TRD aluminum front skid at about $275 both from discount OEM sources. It is probably worth spending the extra $50 for the aluminum for the corrosion resistance. I don't do any HD off-roading, just unimproved roads for the most part.

I've read up on previous threads and these seem like my only two options other than the CTH front skid which seems to get mixed reviews and isn't much less $$ than the Toyota TRD. Wanted to see if I'm missing any other options out there and also ask if the TRD front skid allows for oil filter access without removal? Not having to remove the front skid plate for an oil change would be a definite benefit.

I went with a trd pro skid plate years ago during the the TRD pro sale, ended up being about $210 with taxes. I'm going to start doing oil changes myself since the dealer service is up. The front skid plate is only 4 bolts to remove and I would recommend the rethreading of the holes. I dont off road and the skid plate is nice, I painted it black and kept the red TRD letters. If doing oil changes etc and the RCI and few other options have a panel that opens for oil changes to make it tad easier.

 

[kenwilliams0803]

I went with RCI because of the access panel. I love it.

 

[mbm112]

You can get an aluminum front skid from RCI for $395 and $70 for the filler plate for the radiator. They're also running 15% off site wide right now.

 

[Mike Beyers]

Rci

I have the aluminum RCI as well. It's a really well made plate, and the access hole is a huge plus.

 

[Saker]

Have 2014 SR5 with about 125k miles. I'm located in upstate NY and last oil change showed the front skid plate with rust to the point of needing replacement. I tried to keep up with the rust for a few years, but 8 years of winter driving has taken its toll.

Basic options for replacement seem to be a direct replacement at about $225 or the TRD aluminum front skid at about $275 both from discount OEM sources. It is probably worth spending the extra $50 for the aluminum for the corrosion resistance. I don't do any HD off-roading, just unimproved roads for the most part.

I've read up on previous threads and these seem like my only two options other than the CTH front skid which seems to get mixed reviews and isn't much less $$ than the Toyota TRD. Wanted to see if I'm missing any other options out there and also ask if the TRD front skid allows for oil filter access without removal? Not having to remove the front skid plate for an oil change would be a definite benefit.

If you go with the TRD Skid Plate option, you could also do this to make removal / replacement easier....
TRD Skid Plate Mounted w/ Studs 2010-2021

 

[slonny]

RCI is the way to go.

 

[4Rtrailbum]

The TRD skid needs to come off for oil changes.

Lots of choices out there, in steel and aluminum, with options for not removing the whole skid for an oil change. Check out RCI for starters but there really are a crap ton of options for the 5th gen at this point.

I have the RCI aluminum skid on my FJ , had it powder coated and couldn't be happier with it.

I'm going to add one on my 2014 4R since it's done so well on the FJ.

 

[ScoMey]

Just like the OP, I needed to replace the rusted out original skid plate about a year or so ago. I went with the TRD replacement. While it's not a slick as a skid plate with a filter access panel, at least now it's just the 4 bolts to remove, without the pesky plastic filler pieces to tend with, or the 'hinge' tabs that were difficult to align...

 

[214RUNNER]

front skid OEM

PM sent

Have 2014 SR5 with about 125k miles. I'm located in upstate NY and last oil change showed the front skid plate with rust to the point of needing replacement. I tried to keep up with the rust for a few years, but 8 years of winter driving has taken its toll.

Basic options for replacement seem to be a direct replacement at about $225 or the TRD aluminum front skid at about $275 both from discount OEM sources. It is probably worth spending the extra $50 for the aluminum for the corrosion resistance. I don't do any HD off-roading, just unimproved roads for the most part.

I've read up on previous threads and these seem like my only two options other than the CTH front skid which seems to get mixed reviews and isn't much less $$ than the Toyota TRD. Wanted to see if I'm missing any other options out there and also ask if the TRD front skid allows for oil filter access without removal? Not having to remove the front skid plate for an oil change would be a definite benefit.

 

[harper7]

Cheapest way is to place a WTB ad in the sales section as so many people, like me , take the stock ones off to replace. Maybe someone local to you will have one.

Also they are not really mandatory to have one if you don't rock crawl offroad as I don't think 2 wheel drive models even have it. Traps moisture for rust too. I run without mine sometimes for months on end when I'm working on the front end rather then on and off with it. I'm running without one right now as I ordered the TRD one from BAM parts and just installed new suspension.

I think I have the stock one for every taco and 4runner I've ever owned out in my parts shed out back.

 

[honda250xtitan]

rci here as well. plus its actually replacing 2 stock skid plates. the raw aluminum finish really gives it a nice look IMHO.

 

[tylertenny]

Have 2014 SR5 with about 125k miles. I'm located in upstate NY and last oil change showed the front skid plate with rust to the point of needing replacement. I tried to keep up with the rust for a few years, but 8 years of winter driving has taken its toll.

Basic options for replacement seem to be a direct replacement at about $225 or the TRD aluminum front skid at about $275 both from discount OEM sources. It is probably worth spending the extra $50 for the aluminum for the corrosion resistance. I don't do any HD off-roading, just unimproved roads for the most part.

I've read up on previous threads and these seem like my only two options other than the CTH front skid which seems to get mixed reviews and isn't much less $$ than the Toyota TRD. Wanted to see if I'm missing any other options out there and also ask if the TRD front skid allows for oil filter access without removal? Not having to remove the front skid plate for an oil change would be a definite benefit.

The CTH skid has an oil filter access. I've had the CTH skid since December and I really like it. If you have KDSS then I would probably look at other options, though. It seems like most of the negative reviews were surrounding their KDSS version.

 

[Auntie Soshul]

I had a similar issue, but like others, wanted a skid plate with oil filter access. I contacted RCI, but could never get a response by either email or phone, so I ordered one from LFD OffRoad, and they shipped it immediately. It's heavy duty steel, and was around $200 if I recall correctly. The oil filter access allows for plenty of room to access the filter when it's oil change time.