Skid plate question

[GrantK]

I'm trying to decide if I should just leave the stock skid plates as is, modify them for better protection of the CAT or replace them with after market ones. This got me wondering, why do people replace the stock skid plates with either SRs or BBs in the first place? Do the stock plates not cover enough, are the too wimpy or is there another reason/reasons for replacing them?

Almost forgot, this will be for a TE, so it will come with the T-case and gas tank plates along with the basic set.

 

[kingpin748]

They are too wimpy. Most people wouldn't replace them if they were stronger. The SR and RR versions do cover a lot more area though.

 

[FactoryRide]

+2 for Kingpin!

The thickness for stock versus aftermarket are one of the differences.

Budbuilt for example uses 3/16" steel for his skids. I wanna say I remember someone saying that he does make some lesser duty ones. The stock skids, I wanna say are 1/16" or less.

Then the area covered is a little more.

 

[KCcarguy]

It depends on what you plan to do in your truck. Do you plan on doing a lot of rocky/ gnarly trails that push the limits of your truck?

 

[GrantK]

It depends on what you plan to do in your truck. Do you plan on doing a lot of rocky/ gnarly trails that push the limits of your truck?

Almost all trails in Colorado require skid plates, even abandoned rail lines.

 

[QwikKotaTx]

They are too wimpy. Most people wouldn't replace them if they were stronger. The SR and RR versions do cover a lot more area though.

I can't speak for the other skid plates but the one covering the oil pan is pretty beefy. Thickness of steel is important but so is the profile of the stamping and reinforcements. It is a pain in the rear to take off for a simple filter swap but will do a good job of the average rock impact.

 

[tlflow]

the stock plate bend up pretty easily. They will work fine for a little while.

 

[jca21]

stock plates will take some abuse, not a whole lot though.

i say beat the stock ones to **** then you can justify ordering a full set of budbuilts

 

[tlflow]

stock plates will take some abuse, not a whole lot though.

i say beat the stock ones to **** then you can justify ordering a full set of budbuilts

That's what I did! Worked out well.

 

[KCcarguy]

These guys did the rubicon on stock skids:

Exclusive 2010 Toyota 4Runner Rubicon Trail Video! | What's New Blog & Opinions at Four Wheeler Magazine

But if I was planning on frequenting trails in Colorado, I'd go for Budbuilts. You've gotta build your truck for how you plan to use it.

 

[GrantK]

But if I was planning on frequenting trails in Colorado, I'd go for Budbuilts. You've gotta build your truck for how you plan to use it.

I always try to build to one notch tougher than I plan to subject it to. So far that method has protected me from being stranded up the proverbial water way without a procured means of locomotion.

I guess I'll end up going with my original plane to replace the stock plates with SRs (modified to give better protection to the CAT) and put the stock ones up for sale to see if I can recoup a cup of coffee out of them.

Thanks for the info everyone.

 

[Intruder]

Aftermarket skid plates are good...

Stock gas tank skid:

The stock skids are better than nothing, but somehow I think the Bud Builts would've stood up a little better.

 

[tlflow]

I broke a 2" pine limb off jamming into the little screen window on the front skid, it was about 4 ft long and it jammed in there really close to the oil filter!

Gas tank skid seem easier to bend than others ... I don't know.

The factory skids work pretty good.