RCI Aluminum and Steel Skid Plates for KDSS-equipped On the Way

[2013Trail]

I sent an email to RCI last week inquiring about upcoming aluminum and steel skid plates for 4Runners with KDSS suspension. Josh, at RCI said the skid plates for both KDSS equipped 4Runner's as well as for the Tacoma's will be "released" in about two weeks.

Just thought you all might like to know.

 

[Titanpat57]

Thanks..been waiting for aluminum skids...it'd be worth it to trade up in my case.

 

[DannyLlama]

Thanks..been waiting for aluminum skids...it'd be worth it to trade up in my case.

Dibs on the stock gas skid.. if you still have the stock :hiding:

Wasn't sure what you meant by "trade up"

 

[Titanpat57]

Dibs on the stock gas skid.. if you still have the stock :hiding:

Wasn't sure what you meant by "trade up"

It's all yours buddy..


My thought is, that because it's my DD...and I really only off road it hard a handful of times a year, that the aluminum will step up my level of protection a couple of notches, without taking the daily hit on the gas...at least that's my screwed up logic...:crazy:

 

[DannyLlama]

It's all yours buddy..


My thought is, that because it's my DD...and I really only off road it hard a handful of times a year, that the aluminum will step up my level of protection a couple of notches, without taking the daily hit on the gas...at least that's my screwed up logic...:crazy:

TAHNKS!!! :frog:

Your logic is good logic! I will most likely go that route eventually myself.
I figure that if it's going to go through an aluminum sheet, it shouldn't be there to begin with!

Good luck with the install and looking forward for pictures opcorn:

 

[bimrunner]

It's all yours buddy..


My thought is, that because it's my DD...and I really only off road it hard a handful of times a year, that the aluminum will step up my level of protection a couple of notches, without taking the daily hit on the gas...at least that's my screwed up logic...:crazy:

Because I'm a bubble busting guy, the weight savings is not huge, but it is noticeable. Probably the difference between having a 8 yr. old in the backseat or not. However, technically the aluminum is just as much protection as the steel, so you aren't even giving up protection to gain that little weight advantage. I'll look forward to comparing. My full set of steel didn't really change my milage much. I think the lift and tires did the lions share of that damage.

 

[Titanpat57]

Because I'm a bubble busting guy, the weight savings is not huge, but it is noticeable. Probably the difference between having a 8 yr. old in the backseat or not. However, technically the aluminum is just as much protection as the steel, so you aren't even giving up protection to gain that little weight advantage. I'll look forward to comparing. My full set of steel didn't really change my milage much. I think the lift and tires did the lions share of that damage.

My goal is to lose 100 lbs.(personally) over the next year..so anything I lose in solid (ie. steel) protection.....I'll get back later down the road(with aluminum)..and still have a level of protection much better than came from the factory. I do have a BB winch plate on order, and my goal is to have the winch in before the Vermont this fall....so to step up the belly protection, just seems to be the next natural step of progression.

But I can't stress enough, I'm trying to balance armor against gas milage.....stupid I know, but it's a delicate balance sometimes.

 

[2013Trail]

My goal is to lose 100 lbs.(personally) over the next year..so anything I lose in solid (ie. steel) protection.....I'll get back later down the road(with aluminum)..and still have a level of protection much better than came from the factory. I do have a BB winch plate on order, and my goal is to have the winch in before the Vermont this fall....so to step up the belly protection, just seems to be the next natural step of progression.

But I can't stress enough, I'm trying to balance armor against gas milage.....stupid I know, but it's a delicate balance sometimes.

That's why I'm going for the aluminum--reduced weight. Besides that, aluminum doesn't rust.

BTW, I forgot to ask Josh at RCI if they will be coming out with a skid plate for the rear differential.

 

[bimrunner]

That's why I'm going for the aluminum--reduced weight. Besides that, aluminum doesn't rust.

BTW, I forgot to ask Josh at RCI if they will be coming out with a skid plate for the rear differential.

I asked him about a month and a half ago and he said in a couple months.

 

[Desert Fox]

You guys might thank Sundog

I think he talked to Josh a lot about this during the Summit

 

[Titanpat57]

THANK YOU SUNDOG!!!!

(I'm never too proud to say thanks!)

 

[Sundog7121]

(I'm never too proud to say thanks!)

Yes sir!! And today I sent him a message telling him to let me know when they're ready. It's aluminum for me. I think.

:usa2:

 

[2013Trail]

You guys might thank Sundog

I think he talked to Josh a lot about this during the Summit

Don't know anything about that as I am a new member and I wasn't at the summit and I don't know anything about his and Josh's or RCI's communications. I have been keeping email contact with RCI however over a period of about 1 1/2 months since right after I joined T4R.org. My first email to Josh was on June 14 which was when I first expressed a desire to have aluminum skid plates and inquired about the development and availability of aluminum skid plates for the KDSS equipped 4Rs. I've also been in touch with Shrockworks over the same period of time. After all, if we don't ask, we may never get it.

 

[Desert Fox]

Don't know anything about that as I am a new member and I wasn't at the summit and I don't know anything about his and Josh's or RCI's communications. I have been keeping email contact with RCI however over a period of about five weeks since right after I joined T4R.org. My first email to Josh was on June 17. I've also been in touch with Shrockworks over the same period of time. After all, if we don't ask, we may never get it.

There were a bunch of Zonies at the Summit. You should have joined them. Good time was had by all

 

[2013Trail]

There were a bunch of Zonies at the Summit. You should have joined them. Good time was had by all

I'll likely be going to the Summit next year. By then I'll have skids, sliders, tires and other stuff. Maybe even a lift kit.

 

[Desert Fox]

Excellent, it is a lot of fun.

 

[Sundog7121]

Don't know anything about that as I am a new member and I wasn't at the summit and I don't know anything about his and Josh's or RCI's communications. I have been keeping email contact with RCI however over a period of about 1 1/2 months since right after I joined T4R.org. My first email to Josh was on June 14 which was when I first expressed a desire to have aluminum skid plates and inquired about the development and availability of aluminum skid plates for the KDSS equipped 4Rs. I've also been in touch with Shrockworks over the same period of time. After all, if we don't ask, we may never get it.

Thank you 2013Trail!! I was probably just at right place-right time. You started it!!


:cheers:

 

[mgrande]

Budbuilt aluminum skids are holding up pretty well for me.

 

[2013Trail]

Thank you 2013Trail!! I was probably just at right place-right time. You started it!!


:cheers:

LOL. Thanks. But I think several of us started it. I'm ready to buy the aluminum skids when they become available but I do want to see what the finished product looks like first. I also shot Josh another email asking him what the estimated weight of the total skid plate set, including the fuel tank skid plate, would weigh.

 

[mgrande]

LOL. Thanks. But I think several of us started it. I'm ready to buy the aluminum skids when they become available but I do want to see what the finished product looks like first. I also shot Josh another email asking him what the estimated weight of the total skid plate set, including the fuel tank skid plate, would weigh.

Not to take away from RCI, but if you end up not liking the design you could always just call bud and get him to make a set out of aluminum.