Savage vs. BudBuild (vs. Other...) Skids

[Red October]

My truck feels exposed,... in a bad way... I have found that the most useful armor is usually skids and sliders. Im thinkin skids first, so I have been looking into getting some for Red, to protect her, ahem, "parts" :bash:

My question is this; BudBuilt or Savage skids? I have heard rave reviews for both, everyone seems to love them both. But what would you put on your truck given the choice? Or something else...?

 

[snivilous]

Whatever is cheapest. Pretty sure all the designs are 95% identical

 

[98WhiteT4R]

Whatever is cheapest. Pretty sure all the designs are 95% identical

+1... I found the Savage skids used so that's what I went with

 

[SCRunner12]

Savage offers a two piece IFS design which is nice for removal and oil changes. The pieces are heavy, but I managed to install them in the dirt by myself (no jack or jackstands). Wouldn't have been able to do that with the budbuilt. Although the BB does cover past the steering rack, which the savage falls short of. Good to know if you're not going with full skids.

I found my savage skids brand new on craigslist for 1/2 the price so I'm running those, but would be happy with any really.

 

[MyHigh]

Shrockworks has a nice set up, 5 pieces for a complete front to back smooth belly

 

[krenaud33]

Pretty sure RAT skids are your best bang for your buck.

 

[BrandonF]

Any skids will do. I had some custom made this past spring due to the weak Canadian dollar.
Some key features I requested were:
•Mounting to the main frame rails at the front of the skid, rather than just to the flimsy little radiator cross member like both the budbuilts and savage skids do.
•Coverage of the LCA pivots. The budbuilts and savage skids do this but the shrockworks do not appear to.
•Good approach angle at the front of the skid - I've seen some custom skids on 3rd gens that have a large vertical face at the front which must get hung up all of the time.
•Flanges on the sides of all skids to add rigidity and prevent sticks from penetrating from the sides.

My set is a two piece design. I use a rolling jack to install and remove them. The 4 piece design of the savage skids definitely isn't a disadvantage, but I don't see any real benefit over a 2 piece design either.

At the end of the day, skid plates are pretty simple. Just look for ones that provide good coverage without sacrificing clearance.

 

[Mgyver1]

Savage offers a two piece IFS design which is nice for removal and oil changes. The pieces are heavy, but I managed to install them in the dirt by myself (no jack or jackstands). Wouldn't have been able to do that with the budbuilt.

This is why I was considering the Savages due to the 2 piece design. Ultimately I want the full belly skids, Lil Skip's gas skid and Bud Built rear diff skid, but that's a long way down the road.

 

[owyheerat]

I have the Shrockworks 5 pc set. I am happy. They mount to frame or crossmembers everywhere...very solid. You can change oil without removing.
I like a 'flat belly' for my gal!

BTW I have a 99 3rz 5spd as well. Love it!

Good luck with decision.

 

[mountain mike]

I have everything Bud makes for the 3rd gen, and waiting for him to come out with the gas tank skid. I went with Bud for a few reasons. The first reason is I had Bud's on my FJ and they did their job very well. I also had a very positive experience buying from Bud in the past. The other reason is I wanted the least amount of pieces and the most coverage. Is it a pain in the a$$ to change my oil? Yes, it is. Those skids are heavy and it's a pain to take them off. However, after having skids before I have come to the conclusion that skid plates are going to rattle. They may not when you first install them, but after beating on them they will start rattling. My thinking was the less pieces the less rattles there would be. So far so good, but I really haven't put them to the test just yet.

 

[Red October]

....Mounting to the main frame rails at the front of the skid, rather than just to the flimsy little radiator cross member like both the budbuilts and savage skids....

This worries me too. But it seems like most of the ones available use the stock mounting location. I kinda wonder how much of a problem it actually is... ?

I like the fact that you don't have to remove the whole front section to change the oil on the savage and shrockworks sets. I have run skids on other vehicles that have to be removed for oil changes, and it's no picnic.

As far as cost goes they are really about the same.

 

[Red October]

I like a 'flat belly' for my gal!

BTW I have a 99 3rz 5spd as well. Love it!

Good luck with decision.

Yes, this, flat is good.

Us 3RZ guys gotta stick together, it's a great little motor, I love mine. I have actually been pleasantly surprised by how many there are out there, I thought there would be less when I bought Red.

 

[masphx]

Some comparison pictures of my bud builts and shockworks. I have the shockworks on my rig and sold the buds. The buds are nice but I DD the 4runner and oil changes were a *****. Plus the front shockworks are aroubd ~12 lbs less. Only down side is the lack of coverage on the lca bushing mounts.

 

[SCRunner12]

I just removed and painted my savage IFS skids this weekend and I do NOT miss the size and weight of the budbuilt. I was able to raise the savage skids with one arm and attach the bolts easily, which is impossible with the BB. Just makes removing them that much easier and oil changes not as difficult.