Rock Rails or Bud Built Skids?

[Ape Runner]

I can do one or the other, and here are the mods already:

1.2 SS lift
1" BL
33" A/T's

Should I get Rock Rails or Bud Built Skids next? On the one hand, I'm more likely to smack the underside than the rocker panels doing the trails that I typically hit. On the other hand, rock rails look tough, act as a quasi step up for the mrs. and provide a lifting point for the hi-lift *and* the stock skids do work, just not that well for a serious smack.

What do you guys think?

 

[brian2sun]

I've beat the crap outta both my sliders and my skids, but my sliders take more hits so I'd definitely get them 1st.

 

[Overland Warehouse]

Sliders definitely.

I would also highly recommend getting your lower control arm hangars some protection too. Those and the lower control arms usually take a beating. Once the hangars are bent up its an expensive fix. Bent trailing arms are easy to replace, but stronger ones are a good consideration too.

 

[brian2sun]

Sliders definitely.

I would also highly recommend getting your lower control arm hangars some protection too. Those and the lower control arms usually take a beating. Once the hangars are bent up its an expensive fix. Bent trailing arms are easy to replace, but stronger ones are a good consideration too.

I'd have to agree. J-money$$$ and I made some LCA mount armor by just welding some 3/16" strips onto the front of the mounts. They've held up great and taken some good hits...

We also made some rear control arms. Here's a shot of our .250" wall lower links (shown without the rubber bushing installed for the frame side)..

 

[Hawkdog21]

Sliders first for sure. Factory skids will do some of the job (very little, but better than nothing) but protecting the body is important. I would much rather have a dent in my gas tank than a huge dent in my door of my DD. Totally agree with others above about LCAs and mounts, you definitely want to beef those areas up. Other armor on my 3rd gen that proved to be useful where lower shock mount skids and e-locker actuator skid (not sure if that applies to you, but if it does that is very much worth protecting). Below is my factory gas tank skid after running lower 2 at tellico (RIP). Like I said above, they will do some of the job, but the last thing you want on a DD is for the side of your truck to look like that.
EDIT: This is actually a great example of why I got new LCAs, LCA skids, actuator skid and obviously a new gas tank skid.

 

[J-money$$$]

Sliders are the best to first. And those links skids sure work nice! especially for free.

As for that gas tank skid I welded some 1/4" plate strips to the stock one once it bent up and hit the tank. It has held up great now

 

[fourwd1]

Get Buds Skids. You absolutely can't go wrong there, and his stuff is great.

 

[Mr. Leary]

Tough choice. They are both important, as is protection for those LCAs.

I would go with sliders first, although I will put in a short unaffiliated plug that Bud makes great skids and I have had nothing but solid )) performance from his skids. I have beaten both components of armor and have found the sliders to be more vital for recovery as well as enhancing my ability to put a tire over the stuff that I can't clear.

 

[Ape Runner]

Thanks for the input! Hopefully I can do both But sliders will be first!

Is anyone making a legitimate tank skid yet? or are we just welding the steel bar for reinforcement these days?

 

[Bighead2001]

Thanks for the input! Hopefully I can do both But sliders will be first!

Is anyone making a legitimate tank skid yet? or are we just welding the steel bar for reinforcement these days?

Lil’ Skip’s Offroad. I have one but am ashamed to admit I have not had the time to put it on. :nono:

 

[Mr. Leary]

Lil’ Skip’s Offroad. I have one but am ashamed to admit I have not had the time to put it on. :nono:

Know the feeling. Lately I have had to outsource much of the tinkering duties on my trucks. Last semester of grad school, though... so in the near future I can have my life back. :surfer:

 

[J-money$$$]

Thanks for the input! Hopefully I can do both But sliders will be first!

Is anyone making a legitimate tank skid yet? or are we just welding the steel bar for reinforcement these days?

Just go get some plate and weld it on the bottom I used 5" wide strips of plate, some cover the entire thing.

That lil skips tank skid is nice, but i have heard/seen issues with it and for the money I personally think its not worth it.

 

[so_LED]

I've beat the crap outta both my sliders and my skids, but my sliders take more hits so I'd definitely get them 1st.

definitely sliders first! Should be the FIRST upgrade on all long wheelbase trucks like 4runners and landcruisers! :zoom:

 

[Flexus]

Another vote for sliders. Bent rockers or doors are no fun and not easy to fix. On my 3rd gen I bent up my tank enough that it leaked at one of the spot welds FWIW FYI.