RCI Metalworks - TRD Skid Integration Plate Installed!

[jicko]

I want RCI's skids to protect my underbody, but I love my TRD front skid too much...... what can I do?

Thanks to Josh & RCI Metalworks, here is their solution for us!
14+ Toyota 4-Runner TRD Integration (Filler) Skid Plate

This piece of art is SUPER well made, with 1/4" aluminum (same thickness of aluminum as the TRD front skid), protecting the low hanging front differential and oil pan. (They do have a 3/16" steel version, but I chose the 1/4" aluminum for its weight benefit)

The factory front differential & oil pan skid is a joke. Yet I guess, if you have the regular factory front skid, you would damage that (and you probably would have stopped) before you hit this piece. But, if you do have the TRD Pro/TRD front skid, a rock can easily slide off the TRD skid and land on this thin, whimpy sheet metal and cause a big issue.

One of the nicest thing about the aluminum version is that it is not much heavier that that whimpy factory skid! The factory one weighted in ~7lb, while the ultra strong RCI's AL version weighted in only ~9lb!!

Some other worthy to note features:
- welded bolt protection rings for bolt protection
- access port for the oil pan (adding a Fumoto valve maybe good)
- the front plate edge sits about 1/8" lower than the TRD skid, so there is no bad edge to catch
- aluminum will not rust, no painting/rustoleum needed
- the whole installation took me like 15minutes only, everything just plug and play; I didn't even have to jack up the car
- seamless integration with other RCI skids; their transmission skid will slide underneath and behind this and bolt to the same 2 bolts, and their transfer-case skid will follows too.


IMO, if you have a TRD Pro or have a TRD Front Skid, you'd WANT this TRD Integration (Filler) Skid Plate to protect your front differential and oil pan instead of depending on that whimpy factory one!
:cheers:

** RCI GB upcoming.... LOL **
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/group-buys/205276-rci-metalworks-*group-buy*-fall-2015-a.html

 

[Boyds4Runner]

[MENTION=119516]jicko[/MENTION] Thank you for posting all of the pictures and write-up information!

I have the skids on order and hope to get them sometime next week. Now I know exactly what to expect on the integration piece.

 

[rpontbriand]

Timely on my end as well. Ordered the KDSS version of the engine skid last week and looking to add armor to the transmission and rear deferential this fall / winter. I did get some ramps to give me better access underneath, though it sounds like I may not need them.

 

[jicko]

[MENTION=119516]jicko[/MENTION] Thank you for posting all of the pictures and write-up information!

I have the skids on order and hope to get them sometime next week. Now I know exactly what to expect on the integration piece.

Be sure to take some pictures of your install! :banana:

Timely on my end as well. Ordered the KDSS version of the engine skid last week and looking to add armor to the transmission and rear deferential this fall / winter. I did get some ramps to give me better access underneath, though it sounds like I may not need them.

Ramps will make it so much easier. Also if you have an additional jack to raise the plates for you, some pieces are not as light....

 

[sardonyxgen]

I have the skids on order and hope to get them sometime next week

 

[jkenn6]

Nice piece! looks like amazing quality

 

[ArmedBear]

That looks really nice. I have been intrigued by the post from RCI a short while back. Nice to see some pictures of it during the install. Thanks for posting!

 

[PAPAOBEWON]

Rocking the RCI skid plates

Met Josh in person a couple weeks ago at the Toytec appreciation in Denver nice guy! His company strength is he listens to customer suggestions! I got the steel skids for my 2013 and they were easy to install, although they instructions were vague, i was able to figure it out from some builds that had posted on here! So from memory I was able to install the crossmember I have a photographic memory although its analog and is getting a battery charge it was a easy install! Maybe future instructions will be photo shots to help out those that hate to read instructions ( most guys in general) hahaha! Keep it rocking Josh

 

[sandcrawler]

looks real sharp. now i may be fast-tracking some armor upgrades! :hungry:

 

[470SNC]

That's a pretty cool option, looks great!

 

[Boyds4Runner]

RCI Metalworks 1/4" Bare Aluminum Skids installed

Thanks [MENTION=119516]jicko[/MENTION] again for posting the integration skid picture which gave me a view of what it looked like real-world.

I went and bought the 1/4" Bare Aluminum Integration skid, transmission skid and transfer-case skid.
[MENTION=90834]joshp767[/MENTION] from RCI Metalworks was great to work with on the order.

here are pictures of the install if it helps others.

Did run into one issue where the Integration skid plate made contact with the bottom of the front differential. I used the nylon spacers that came with the included hardware kit on the front of the skid to clear the front-diff.

Instructions called for the spacers to go on the backside of the skid in along with sliding the transmission skid into the gap so that both the rear of the integration skid and the front of the transmission skid are bolted to the same location.

I have a call into RCI to let them know but otherwise I ordered the extra hardware kit to use the spacers on the back of the integration plate. Basically all four corners of the integration plate need to have the spacer. At least in my case, others may vary.

I did the install by myself and used jack-stands, speed-jacks and the factory bottle jack to help out. As others have said, ramps might be easier for those wanting to do it on their own.

More pictures to follow, maxed out at 8

 

[Boyds4Runner]

RCI Metalworks 1/4" Bare Aluminum Skids installed continued

A few more pictures to help out.

Cross member for transfer case should go on first then the transfer case skid can be bolted on after the fact as there is enough clearance to get hands and tools onto the three bolts that hold the skid to the RCI cross member.

Also, the brake-line bracket under the driver side rail has to be unbolted from the frame and the RCI crossmember slides perfectly in between so that both get bolted back to the same frame position.

 

[4RnR Grl]

Thanks [MENTION=119516]jicko[/MENTION] again for posting the integration skid picture which gave me a view of what it looked like real-world.

I went and bought the 1/4" Bare Aluminum Integration skid, transmission skid and transfer-case skid.

here are pictures of the install if it helps others.

More pictures to follow, maxed out at 8

I'm liking the aluminum and the idea of saving some weight. Although I'll probably go the Schrockworks route for the rest of my skids since I have the engine skid already.

They look great!

 

[jicko]

I'm liking the aluminum and the idea of saving some weight. Although I'll probably go the Schrockworks route for the rest of my skids since I have the engine skid already.

They look great!

Here are the weight spec from RCI

Aluminum-set TOTAL: 80lb
AL Front 18lb
AL Trans 14lb
AL/S T-case 22lb
AL Fuel Tank 26lb

Steel-set TOTAL: 145lb
S Front 35lb
S Trans 28lb
S T-case 30lb
S Fuel Tank 52lb

Pretty significant difference!!

 

[Inferno1]

Skids and sliders I'd recommend steel as that's where most of your damage is going to take place. Save weight with bumpers

 

[nb rob]

Great photos and info! I see a set of RCI aluminum skids in my future.

thanks for the pics everyone. I saw the integrated skid on RCI's site, and I wasn't exactly sure where it fit in to the total skid package. Now I understand perfectly.

 

[rpontbriand]

I was very pleased with my skid quality and install over the weekend from RCI. Very sturdy and put together well. Highly recommend.

 

[mybabydaddy]

[MENTION=121597]rpontbriand[/MENTION]^^ looks good... I'm going to order mine in a few months but in plain aluminum... Have to get the 5100s installed first. Thx for the pic tho... Gives me a great idea of final image.

 

[rpontbriand]

[MENTION=121597]rpontbriand[/MENTION]^^ looks good... I'm going to order mine in a few months but in plain aluminum... Have to get the 5100s installed first. Thx for the pic tho... Gives me a great idea of final image.

Keep in mind that this pic shows 2 skids/separate purchases. Wanted to replace the radiator cover as the factory install is a plastic rubber type of material.

 

[mybabydaddy]

Thx. Yeah, I did my investigating early on and noticed they had two separate pieces. I think it looks good tho... I'm planning on buying both.