RCI Bumper Filler Plate and ARB Skids

[Unner]

Does anyone have the RCI bumper filler plate installed on their 4th gen?

Bumper Filler Plate | 03-09 4Runner / GX 470 – RCI Off Road

I reached out to RCI to see if they had any installed pics and they don't. I found a few pictures on some Lexus GXs which apparently had a factory plastic cover in the area this goes.

I recently put on some ARB skid plates on my 4th gen and am looking for something to cover the gap between the front skid and the bumper, the RCI plate looks to be about the only option on the market for these vehicles. RCI can't confirm it will work with my ARB skids, but it seems like it should if I mount the filler plate on top of the skids/spacers right on the radiator support.

A few pics of the ARB skids below since there aren't many of these installed on 4th gens either. This is installed on a 2008 V6 4x4.

The fitment was pretty good. A couple holes had to be enlarged to get the bolts to fit into the stock mounting locations. A couple washers were added in the back to keep it off the cross over pipe. And I put some rubber hose inside of the spacers on the front to keep them from moving around as much as the bolt that passes through there had a lot of slop in the spacer. Also the oil drain plug doesn't line up perfectly, but it's useable if you use a funnel or something to divert the oil. I have a fumoto on my shelf waiting for my next oil change so that isn't much of a concern for me.

They aren't the beefiest skids, but probably a little better than stock and they do cover the transmission unlike the stock ones. You do loose the ability to jack from the center of the vehicle up front. No big deal, just jack from each side. I've been doing that for years on my 3rd gen.

20220204_120643 by Unner Unner, on Flickr

20220204_120649 by Unner Unner, on Flickr

20220204_120715 by Unner Unner, on Flickr

20220211_164655 by Unner Unner, on Flickr

20220211_164710 by Unner Unner, on Flickr

20220211_164712 by Unner Unner, on Flickr

20220211_164728 by Unner Unner, on Flickr

 

[originalg00kster]

I do but I also have RCI everything. I can take pics for you tomorrow.

 

[Unner]

I do but I also have RCI everything. I can take pics for you tomorrow.

That would be great!

 

[maxdef]

I also have an RCI skid, but here it is installed. Not sure why I have so much residue creeping on my inner CV boot... there's always something!

<a href="https://ibb.co/6DX21Jm"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/NWTXmns/RCI-bumper-filler.jpg" alt="RCI-bumper-filler" border="0" /></a>

Here it is on a 5th gen:https://pure4runner.com/images/T4R-10-FILLERc.jpg

 

[y=mx+b]

Why is the ARB skid spaced so far down on the front crossmember? I'd say that might make them not work together. Most aftermarket skids sit flat with that crossmember

 

[Unner]

I also have an RCI skid, but here it is installed. Not sure why I have so much residue creeping on my inner CV boot... there's always something!

<a href="https://ibb.co/6DX21Jm"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/NWTXmns/RCI-bumper-filler.jpg" alt="RCI-bumper-filler" border="0" /></a>

Here it is on a 5th gen:https://pure4runner.com/images/T4R-10-FILLERc.jpg

Thank you! Do you think the plate would still fit if you put it on the cross member vs the skid plate? All the holes are slotted so I assume there's enough play to do that.

Why is the ARB skid spaced so far down on the front crossmember? I'd say that might make them not work together. Most aftermarket skids sit flat with that crossmember

The ARB skid plate set is made for both the 120 and 150 platform. On the 120 like our 4th gens you have to use some spacers to bring the plate down so it clears the front diff mounts. On the 150 platform it mounts directly to the radiator crossmember.

I'm hoping I can mount the RCI plate directly to the cross member and then have the spacer and ARB skid plate underneath that. Not a perfect solution, but better than nothing. I don't do anything crazy in the 4th gen anyway, that's what the 3rd gen is for

 

[maxdef]

Thank you! Do you think the plate would still fit if you put it on the cross member vs the skid plate? All the holes are slotted so I assume there's enough play to do that.

Yeah everything should work either way. The angles and bolt holes are forgiving. I think the "proper" orientation would be on top of the skid's front lip but in the big picture, taking a sliding hit to that spot would be a bigger problem anyway

 

[November Sun]

Did you get rid of your 3Rd Gen? I hope to see your 4th gen around town. I'm in a lifted black 06 SE V8 with an ARB front bumper and Whitson rack. Hit me up if you want to talk shop.

 

[Unner]

Yeah everything should work either way. The angles and bolt holes are forgiving. I think the "proper" orientation would be on top of the skid's front lip but in the big picture, taking a sliding hit to that spot would be a bigger problem anyway

Yeah, that's what I figured too. I ordered the plate yesterday and it's supposed to be here by the end of the week so I'll update this thread with the results. I don't anticipate any problems.

Did you get rid of your 3Rd Gen? I hope to see your 4th gen around town. I'm in a lifted black 06 SE V8 with an ARB front bumper and Whitson rack. Hit me up if you want to talk shop.

I've still got the 3rd gen. I got the 4th gen as a more comfortable daily about a year ago. It came up at Bill Penney with 77k miles. I was the first one there the next day to see it and it had to come home with me. If you see my black 3rd gen or my salsa red 4th gen give me a wave. I'll keep a look out for your black 4th gen.

 

[Unner]

Just an update for anyone following along. The RCI filler plate does work nicely with the ARB skids. I'm happy with this combo for what I use this 4Runner for.

20220301_173104 by Unner Unner, on Flickr

20220301_173109 by Unner Unner, on Flickr

20220224_125825 by Unner Unner, on Flickr