RCI skids do not work with Shrockworks bumper - mod it or sell it

[joshoowa]

I did a bone head thing and purchased a skid plate without researching enough. I come to find out that the front RCI skid plate does not work with the Shrockworks front bumper. The front two screws of the RCI skid plate screw into some braces that would be underneath the radiator. These braces were removed when installing the bumper. Skids from CBI and Shrockworks actually call to remove said braces.

If RCI just moved their front two screw mounting locations an inch or so wider and/or drilled additional holes, it would work with the bumper and screw into the radiator support beam.

[stock foto from RCI]

Installation Video - CBI T4R Skid Plate @ 1:28 you'll see the two braces I'm mentioning.

Or on page 2, picture A in CBI's installation manual
https://cbioffroadfab.com/wp-content/uploads/T4R5-Skidplate-install.pdf

So should I consider drilling out some additional holes into the skid plate to make it work or sell it and hope to break even.

Edit:
So before you guys say why didn't I just go with shrockworks skids to ensure it would fit, they do not make skids in aluminum. CBI vs RCI well it was slightly cheaper and I just didn't know the difference.

 

[TexasTJ]

I personally would try to modify it. Actually, I just ordered the same skid and didn't even think to check if it would work with my hidden winch mount. Guess we'll find out at the next oil change.

 

[s13koop]

Kinda glad you posted this. Been eying the Shrokworks bumper too since they're local to us but also realized I need some skids as well.
RCI was on the list. After paying that I'd find some way to make it work honestly. Even if it requires drilling new holes.
In the chance you decide to sell I'd be interested.

 

[hardyplante]

If it's as simple as just drilling new holes, I'd go that route. Might be tough to get what you paid out of them unless something local. Plus after you drill I doubt anyone would even notice the difference other than yourself.

 

[joshoowa]

The difference between 3 skids, you can see how the RCI has a brace/shim in between the skid and radiator beam, where as the other two directly bolt into the bottom radiator support beam.

RCI engine skid

Shrockworks engine skid

CBI engine skid

 

[joshoowa]

I personally would try to modify it. Actually, I just ordered the same skid and didn't even think to check if it would work with my hidden winch mount. Guess we'll find out at the next oil change.

If it's as simple as just drilling new holes, I'd go that route. Might be tough to get what you paid out of them unless something local. Plus after you drill I doubt anyone would even notice the difference other than yourself.

Going hunting this weekend, so will have to wait to the following weekend. What I'll do is button up the skids with the other bolts and line everything up. Mark it with permanent marker and see how it'll look. It looks like I will need to drill 4 holes into the skid as to play well with the Shrockworks radiator/front bumper skid? or whatever that aluminum 4 hole cutout is.

Kinda glad you posted this. Been eying the Shrokworks bumper too since they're local to us but also realized I need some skids as well.
RCI was on the list. After paying that I'd find some way to make it work honestly. Even if it requires drilling new holes.
In the chance you decide to sell I'd be interested.

I'll keep you posted!

 

[rayofsi]

so the bumper required you to remove the radiator support brace? hope its braced in some other way on the new bumper

 

[NotaTRD]

Try and sell it locally first, or offer to ship on buyer’s dime, and if you don’t get any bites then drill away. You might be able to get close to what you paid for it and get what you need.

If you jimmy-rig it first and it doesn’t work out, it’s going to be harder to sell than if you had left it alone.

 

[pDubs]

Doesn't the TRD Pro skid plate require you to remove those braces as well? If so, that's how it came from Toyota.

 

[LandCruiser]

Drill, baby, drill.

 

[radmattyd]

I'm in the same boat sort of! I installed a front sway bar relocation kit which shifted the sway bar a little lower and forward. As a result, the sway bar was hitting the radiator brace bracket.

I wanted an aluminum skid that I could remove those brackets and accidentally ordered the RCI on Black Friday without researching.

I'm probably going to drill.

Question: If you remove the factory braces and drill, will you need some sort of spacer to accommodate for the gap?

 

[rayofsi]

I'm in the same boat sort of! I installed a front sway bar relocation kit which shifted the sway bar a little lower and forward. As a result, the sway bar was hitting the radiator brace bracket.

I wanted an aluminum skid that I could remove those brackets and accidentally ordered the RCI on Black Friday without researching.

I'm probably going to drill.

Question: If you remove the factory braces and drill, will you need some sort of spacer to accommodate for the gap?

Arb sway bar rub fix!!! Bp-51 fit kit

 

[pDubs]

Installing RCI Offroad Front Skidplate | 5th Gen Toyota 4Runner - YouTube

In the above video, he removes those brackets. I 100% have the brackets still installed with my RCI skids, so that's weird.

 

[radmattyd]

Installing RCI Offroad Front Skidplate | 5th Gen Toyota 4Runner - YouTube

In the above video, he removes those brackets. I 100% have the brackets still installed with my RCI skids, so that's weird.

OP- FYI, I removed the brackets and drilled new holes in my RCI aluminum skid. I did also add 7/8" aluminum spacers to the front to accommodate the gap so the rest would align.

Worked great. Though it looks a little off with the new holes/bolts not centered. Oh well...

 

[joshoowa]

OP- FYI, I removed the brackets and drilled new holes in my RCI aluminum skid. I did also add 7/8" aluminum spacers to the front to accommodate the gap so the rest would align.

Worked great. Though it looks a little off with the new holes/bolts not centered. Oh well...

Can you provide a pic? I'm still debating to mod or sell it.