Mating TRD Aluminum Front Skid to RCI Steel

[jthoms1]

Quick question...searching revealed no prior threads. I have the aluminum front TRD skid which I’d like to keep. I can get the RCI filler plate to marry it to the tranny plate. Any issues going from aluminum to steel? I would prefer the balance of the skids be steel. Unless someone who wheels east coast wants to convince me of the virtues of aluminum. I know the usual trade off’s...aluminum gouges and drags. Any wisdom is welcomed.

 

[rageandlove]

Quick question...searching revealed no prior threads. I have the aluminum front TRD skid which I’d like to keep. I can get the RCI filler plate to marry it to the tranny plate. Any issues going from aluminum to steel? I would prefer the balance of the skids be steel. Unless someone who wheels east coast wants to convince me of the virtues of aluminum. I know the usual trade off’s...aluminum gouges and drags. Any wisdom is welcomed.

Weight and rust are the two drawbacks.

There is no problem mixing as such. So it’s personal preference.

Let us know what you do!

 

[YellowSnow]

Quick question...searching revealed no prior threads. I have the aluminum front TRD skid which I’d like to keep. I can get the RCI filler plate to marry it to the tranny plate. Any issues going from aluminum to steel? I would prefer the balance of the skids be steel. Unless someone who wheels east coast wants to convince me of the virtues of aluminum. I know the usual trade off’s...aluminum gouges and drags. Any wisdom is welcomed.

The filler plate is to cover the radiator, and mates to the front skid and the bumper, not the tranny skid that sits more rearward.

 

[jthoms1]

The filler plate is to cover the radiator, and mates to the front skid and the bumper, not the tranny skid that sits more rearward.

From the RCI website -
We are very excited to announce the TRD Integration plate for TRD Pro owners who would like to use their TRD Front Skid Plate and tie in seamlessly with the RCI Transmission and Transfer-case plates. Built of 1/4” laser cut aluminum, it protects the front differential and oil pan, and is the only one of its kind.

Maybe I threw you by calling it a filler plate. Either way thanks for the responses, I got the answer I was looking for. I had full steel on my 14’ TEP but the guy I bought my 17 ORP from had added the TRD skid.

 

[Ponsonby Britt OBE]

I don't have real world experience with skid plates, so you'll have to take my remarks with an ounce of healthy skepticism.

I believe your concern about aluminum on steel contact is valid because it may cause accelerated galvanic corrosion. If I understand the phenomenon correctly, this will cause the steel contact points (where steel meets aluminum) to rust more quickly than normal. The rust of aluminum, on the other hand, creates its own protective barrier to continued corrosion.

I suspect you may want to insulate the steel from the aluminum with a non-conductive washer or somesuch, to prevent direct contact. Your fasteners (probably a variety of steel) will corrode, but these are easier and cheaper to replace than the expensive skid plates themselves.

Maybe I am totally off base with my metallurgical assessment (it's way outside my normal bailiwick), but I would definitely caution you to rely on more than one-guy plus your own confirmation bias.

I googled "steel aluminum contact problems" and came up with some helpful explanations. Actually, I used Duck Duck Go ... largely the same thing minus the search results manipulation and corporate spying.

 

[Boort]

Any issues going from aluminum to steel?

You'll want to put plastic or rubber washers between the Aluminium and Steel to avoid galvanic corrosion. I like 2 Nylon or HDPE washers (can be cut from thin commercial "Flexible Cutting Board Mats" or flat, non-textured parts of 1 gallon milk jugs) between the plates. Having 2 washers between the plates at each bolt location, both keeps the 2 metals from creating the circuit that causes the corrosion and can provide a slip point between the washers to help avoid squeaks.

Boort

 

[YellowSnow]

From the RCI website -
We are very excited to announce the TRD Integration plate for TRD Pro owners who would like to use their TRD Front Skid Plate and tie in seamlessly with the RCI Transmission and Transfer-case plates. Built of 1/4” laser cut aluminum, it protects the front differential and oil pan, and is the only one of its kind.

Maybe I threw you by calling it a filler plate. Either way thanks for the responses, I got the answer I was looking for. I had full steel on my 14’ TEP but the guy I bought my 17 ORP from had added the TRD skid.

Yep...words matter. It’s not a filler plate

 

[N52228]

I have the aluminum RCI integration skid plate on my 18 TRDP. It is almost exactly the same as the factory thin steel plate, minus access to the oil drain plug. I would not worry too much about AL/steel interaction, as you have steel bolts attaching it to a steel frame. There is likely already a thin layer of oxidation on the AL skid plate once you receive it.

As far as what is the best choice, I think that depends on the type of driving you do. For me in the northeast driving on salty roads and not doing a lot of rock crawling, aluminum was the way to go.