Lets talk skids. What to protect and what is safe?

[SendInTheCavalry]

I posted in the Off Roading section but didnt get much feedback...

I went wheeling for my first time in my stock TRD Pro and had a great time! It’s amazing how capable they are bone stock.

Anyhow I used to have the “lift it and big tires” idea but now I am rethinking everything.

I want skid plates! Then maybe the max lift for the stock Bilsteins (1”-2”?)

I’d like to hear from you guys that regularly off road what is critical to protect and what would be a waste of money?

Obviously a fuel tank skid, what about Stock integrates mid plate and a transfer skid? Or rear diff slider? Beefier lower links?


Thanks guys!

 

[Big Daddy K]

I've had good luck with my RCI aluminum skids (engine and trans). They have taken some good shots and not budged. I did slip off a rock in Moab and high center on my stock fuel tank skid, (it's next on the list for replacement) it held up okay as-in no fuel came out but it takes about a gallon less to fill up now days.
I am going to go with the C4 steel tank skid, seems the best built to me.

 

[firemedicPQ1]

Different thought process

We had an FJC for over 10 years and had a lift and larger tires as well. We also had a full set of Bud Built skids and used them frequently. We decided when we traded the FJ for the TRD Pro, that we wouldn't be doing the 'rough stuff' any more. Well, that only lasted so long. This spring we did the Kokopelli trail (Grand Junction to Moab), and then the north rim of the Grand Canyon. Somewhere along the way, we tore the middle stock skid off (yes, ripped off - besides the front plate, the rest are stamped thin metal). Anyway, we are considering upgrading to the aluminum RCI integration plate, transmission and transfer skids. Lifting the truck is not an option at this time (family reasons). Hoping that will be enough protection. Interested what everyone else offers for a solution.

 

[Jeremy556]

Fuel tank, frame LCA mounts, t-case, sliders

 

[mrblah]

Since I mainly play in the desert, I only did the front, transmission, and transfer case and A arms....and sliders

If I played in the rocks, I would armor up as much as I can afford to armor up.

I would do trailing arms, shock mounts, and gas tank.

I'm not really sold on diff armor.

 

[Jeffy]

Not really a skid, but... Sliders!! Should be one of the first things you put on if you plan on banging around in the rocks. They're cheap, and save you some very expensive repairs on your body panels.

 

[coltm4]

I will let the pictures speak for themselves. I riveted the frontal protection on the gas tank skid. I'm stock TRD Pro suspension for now. Not sure if I want the BP-51 or Icon stage 4.

Steel transfer case skid

 

[Jeremy556]

I'm not really sold on diff armor.

Me either. I got it for free with the purchase of the rest of my skids. Its sitting in a corner of my garage.

 

[kevsMAGNETO4R]

My thoughts:

I purchased a 2018 TRD ORP back in February. I have always been very OCD about keeping my vehicles as clean and dent/damage free as possible regardless of if its going off road or not. My first mod was Rago rock sliders for the pure purpose of what other have said about protecting the body panels. I just finished up installing a complete set of Budbuilt (overland protection series) skid plates. It included the Front, Mid, Trans, Crossmember, Gas, and Diff. I went with the Lite Steel since aluminum was going to be too much and and the thicker steel was significantly heavier. The fabrication on them was excellent and so was the fitment. A couple issues with directions but they got me squared away the same day. The OEM skids took some heavy abuse and had some dents in them which is why I ended up with the Budbuilts. Plan on doing a lot more wheeling in the furture so we'll see how they hold up.

 

[SendInTheCavalry]

Thanks for the feedback gang! I should have mentioned I got in on the C4 group buy a while ago. I was inspecting them and they definitely saved my butt. Although, that darn fuel tank hangs pretty low...

Sounds like I should get some mid and transfer plates at least, then a fuel tank skid.

RCI seems like the only ones making plates that mate up to the factory TRD Pro front skid.

 

[skinny420]

FWIW, sell the TRD skid on here/ebay/craigslist and get a full set of Bud's stuff. Link to pics of mine in sig

Finally got them off road a couple weeks ago. Banged them up a bit. They did their job.

 

[RK1679]

I want to add the RCI LCA skids but am not thrilled about cutting my TRD Pro skid. I want to keep my TRD Pro skid. Question: How much of the TRD skid has to be cut and what did you cut it with?

 

[Jeffy]

I want to add the RCI LCA skids but am not thrilled about cutting my TRD Pro skid. I want to keep my TRD Pro skid. Question: How much of the TRD skid has to be cut and what did you cut it with?

LCA skids really aren't necessary. That LCA is already a solid chunk of metal and you'd have a pretty hard time damaging it.

 

[Jetboy]

Skip the control arm skids for sure. They have no purpose. The rear diff skid is only for very frequent rock crawling use. The stock engine skid is pretty solid, but you can break it if you play hard. I broke the pro skid in one trail trip. The steel OEM one is more durable. But doesn't look cool. Front diff skid seems to be fine as is.

The gas tank and transfer case and transmission skids are the most vulnerable. That's where I'd start. Then add an engine skid next as budget allows.

Good luck.

 

[Bodie the Dog]

just the essentials

I'm using 4lo and crawling about once/week on average, although I try to stay away from trails where I'm constantly banging my underside. Those trails full of big boulders, ya know?

Here's what my factory skid looks like. I wouldn't worry about the gas tank, because if you poke a hole in that, it isn't a huge deal. Patch the hole with chewing gum (did that once) put in more gas, and keep rolling. But if you poke a hole in your tranny, you are well and truly ****ed.

 

[snif6969]

After my 1st rocky wheeling trip I high centered on my stupid side steps, but I came to realize that i was millimeters away from damaging the transfer case. Immediatly after that I jumped on a ShrockWorks group buy to get a skid package (engine, trans, Tcase, fuel tank).

They are thick and sturdy, a little could be improved but they do they job well.

It was my first serious upgrade to my 4R and I'm happy i did it, I feel a lot more confident on the trails.

I got at the same time a pair of sliders as well, they are also needed IMO.

Hope this helps

 

[Kenstaroni]

Before I went all RCI, my stock front skid had minor scratches but my stock fuel skid had several dents and looked alot worse. I think of all of them the fuel skid is the "low hanging fruit" so to speak. I'd go all aluminum unless you are playing in the rocks alot. Sliders first though if you don't have those, they will be better protection than skids for most of what folks do (both is ideal of course).

 

[bigair96]

Not to hijack, but will a RCI (or any other brand) transmission skid bolt up to the original engine skid? Or are they incompatible?

Trying to see if you would need to buy all at once (engine, transmission, transfer case), or if you can do it in stages.

 

[SoAZ4Runner]

I posted in the Off Roading section but didnt get much feedback...

I went wheeling for my first time in my stock TRD Pro and had a great time! It’s amazing how capable they are bone stock.

Anyhow I used to have the “lift it and big tires” idea but now I am rethinking everything.

I want skid plates! Then maybe the max lift for the stock Bilsteins (1”-2”?)

I’d like to hear from you guys that regularly off road what is critical to protect and what would be a waste of money?

Obviously a fuel tank skid, what about Stock integrates mid plate and a transfer skid? Or rear diff slider? Beefier lower links?


Thanks guys!


Hey man!

Welcome to the lifestyle!! We're incredibly happy to have you. It all of course depends what your goals are, but you're right the bone stock TRD Pro is awesome. My cousins comes close to keeping up with my modified trail, I am always impressed with it.

A little about what I run skid wise is below followed by my recommendation (I am sure many others disagree but it is my philosophy). I am currently running RCI skids front to rear. I did the front skid in steel as I know my approach angles could be better and on Arizona rocks I have taken some good hits. Then I did everything else aluminum. The only skid I forgot to get was the rear diff which will be on order soon. My reasoning for this, weight reduction while still heavily strengthening what I believe to be my weak points.

Note: I went with RCI because of the Group Buy I jumped on. My only frustration with the RCI steel front skid is the lack of drainage (I may replace this skid at some point) beyond that they took some damn good hits in colorado on Poughkipsie Gulch including a high center and took minimal damage.

My recommendation for you for some first mods. Skids front to rear, good weld on rock sliders, and some really good All Terrains at the stock tire size (unless you want to go bigger). I really like my setup of steel and aluminum and I am very happy with it, but it falls to your budget and direction of build.

Anywho I am sure someone will blast me but hey, we build our trucks for US and OUR needs! Feel free to drop a line any time.

 

[coltm4]

Not to hijack, but will a RCI (or any other brand) transmission skid bolt up to the original engine skid? Or are they incompatible?

Trying to see if you would need to buy all at once (engine, transmission, transfer case), or if you can do it in stages.

I bought piece by piece from RCI and one used piece off the forum. Mixing brands is questionable, but should work since the mount points are usually the same. I used all RCI, but mixed aluminum and steel.