Skid plate recommendations

I like the RCI, but would go with aluminum. I have the steel and it is heavy. It has paid for itself at least 3 time already though ;)


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I like the Shrockworks set best. Extra mounting points and bracing up front, best t-case design IMO, I like the slots for a little extra air and drainage, and some much needed front coverage on the gas tank skid. Stick with steel if you plan to spend a lot of time in the rocks. Powdercoating is worth the money to save all the prep and painting and you'll spend half the cost on prep, primer, and rattle cans anyway; then again, I hate painting. Saved nearly $200 thru one of the group buys and while it may not be typical, had my skids in a week! Bare steel, powdercoated locally.

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More pics here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...u-do-your-5th-gen-today-1544.html#post2639000
 
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Hopefully not too big of a thread resurrection...

Ignoring cost... any differences with either the aluminum RCI front skid vs the TRD + integration skid? Such as clearance or amount of protection?

I don't know anyone that owns either in person to compare. Seems like the TRD skid looks a little wider and lower?

Thanks in advance.
 
lojack323 said:
Hopefully not too big of a thread resurrection...

Ignoring cost... any differences with either the aluminum RCI front skid vs the TRD + integration skid? Such as clearance or amount of protection?

I don't know anyone that owns either in person to compare. Seems like the TRD skid looks a little wider and lower?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

The TRD is slightly wider at the front but they are about the same size by the integration portion under the vehicle as the integration is cut to the same width as the rest of the RCI skid plates (see pic below). In terms of durability the TRD aluminum vs the RCI are the same thickness, I don't know enough metalogy to tell you what type of aluminum is "stronger". I purchased my aluminum RCI skids off of a person with a TRD Pro, who never installed them so that's why I went with the TRD front. If I bought the whole set myself I would have gone with the RCI. The seamlessness of one piece instead of two plus the oil filter hole for easier oil I feel is a better design. Also the integration skid sits too close to the front differential and you'll likely have to add a spacer (see link below), which has it sit about 1/8" lower then the TRD skid...not a completely flat surface. Works for my needs but if I were doing it from scratch I would do RCI.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/222282-cymons-weekend-warrior-mfd-thread-6.html(post 82)
 

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Cymon said:
The TRD is slightly wider at the front but they are about the same size by the integration portion under the vehicle as the integration is cut to the same width as the rest of the RCI skid plates (see pic below). In terms of durability the TRD aluminum vs the RCI are the same thickness, I don't know enough metalogy to tell you what type of aluminum is "stronger". I purchased my aluminum RCI skids off of a person with a TRD Pro, who never installed them so that's why I went with the TRD front. If I bought the whole set myself I would have gone with the RCI. The seamlessness of one piece instead of two plus the oil filter hole for easier oil I feel is a better design. Also the integration skid sits too close to the front differential and you'll likely have to add a spacer (see link below), which has it sit about 1/8" lower then the TRD skid...not a completely flat surface. Works for my needs but if I were doing it from scratch I would do RCI.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/222282-cymons-weekend-warrior-mfd-thread-6.html(post 82)
Click to expand...

I honestly like the design of the trd pro skid better because it covers the lower cam bolts no other company seems to cover them.

Love your setup btw
 
I have the stock TRD Pro front skid, but the rest of my skids are RCI aluminum powder coated black. Big fan--easy to install and they've held up to damage pretty damn well.
 
Cymon said:
The TRD is slightly wider at the front but they are about the same size by the integration portion under the vehicle as the integration is cut to the same width as the rest of the RCI skid plates (see pic below). In terms of durability the TRD aluminum vs the RCI are the same thickness, I don't know enough metalogy to tell you what type of aluminum is "stronger". I purchased my aluminum RCI skids off of a person with a TRD Pro, who never installed them so that's why I went with the TRD front. If I bought the whole set myself I would have gone with the RCI. The seamlessness of one piece instead of two plus the oil filter hole for easier oil I feel is a better design. Also the integration skid sits too close to the front differential and you'll likely have to add a spacer (see link below), which has it sit about 1/8" lower then the TRD skid...not a completely flat surface. Works for my needs but if I were doing it from scratch I would do RCI.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/222282-cymons-weekend-warrior-mfd-thread-6.html(post 82)
Click to expand...

Thanks for your input Cymon it's always appreciated.

Would it be possible to add a spacer to the rear bolts on the trd skid to even out the gap with the transition skid (never seen either in person so just wondering)?

rtinniste said:
I honestly like the design of the trd pro skid better because it covers the lower cam bolts no other company seems to cover them.
Click to expand...
That's what I was noticing and lead me to post the question.
 
lojack323 said:
Thanks for your input Cymon it's always appreciated.

Would it be possible to add a spacer to the rear bolts on the trd skid to even out the gap with the transition skid (never seen either in person so just wondering)?
.
Click to expand...

Yes, im sure it is possible, but honestly I haven't had any issues with the small gap, just wanted to point it out. If you go this route be sure to read this, if you do put a snail 1/8" spacer you will definitely need to use the longer bolts that come with the TRD skid.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/239833-if-you-have-trd-skid-plate-read.html
 
RCI skids and a SSO slim line bumper

Does anyone have a picture of a RCI skid with a SSO Slim Line front bumper?

I wondering if there are gaps below the bumper and if so how to cover them up.

(This is an older thread so sorry about the resurrection)
 
I did the full set from Shrockworks on 2017 TRD Pro. Two major learnings, you can’t reuse your front (aluminum) skid, have to modify it or buy Shrockworks front bumper and skid, and drivers side gas tank skid at rear needs (in my opinion) an added support which cost me $125 to build and install at local 4x4 shop. I just did black rattle can spray. Very happy with end result.
 
PosterT said:
I am planning to get a skid plate on my 2018 4runner, but I would like to know if I would need a transmission skid plate if I'm only going to be doing light off roading.

I was looking at the RCI front skid, but just want to know if it would be recommended to also get the transmission one too.

I'm a bit new to the 4runner world, so all the help would be wonderful.
Click to expand...

For light off road use - the stock ones are just fine. The TRD Pro front skid is weaker than the base steel one in my experience. I've ruined both of them in the rocks, so I can compare pretty well. Sliders are the first thing you should do for protection. Then transmission and transfer case are the two places I would look at next. Then the gas tank. Then the rear lower control arms. Then the engine/intermediate pan skids last. The OEM ones in those places are just fine for almost anything. Certainly anything you'd call light offroading.

Good luck!
 
Finally got a chance to test the CBI skid plates and hole crap am I grateful. we were offroading andI miss judged a large rock and heard/felt the huge bang under the car. Felt my ass pucker until I got out and found the skid plate had just laughed it off. lol
 
KENGNJ said:
Does anyone have a picture of a RCI skid with a SSO Slim Line front bumper?

I wondering if there are gaps below the bumper and if so how to cover them up.

(This is an older thread so sorry about the resurrection)
Click to expand...

This might be a little too dark to see but the gap that is left is very small, maybe an inch. It would be smaller if you don't run with a diff drop kit. We have a complete RCI install video over on our YouTube channel that would show it much better.
 

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WanderlostOverland said:
This might be a little too dark to see but the gap that is left is very small, maybe an inch. It would be smaller if you don't run with a diff drop kit. We have a complete RCI install video over on our YouTube channel that would show it much better.
Click to expand...

off topic - but really enjoy yall's videos. Your install video of the boss lift made my life so much easier this past weekend when I put mine on. Thanks!
 
PosterT said:
Thank you, Jet.

But I don't have a TRD skid plate, I have the TRD OR with KDSS.
So I just have the stock black plate on the bottom.
But I will look into getting an RCI and move on from there.
Click to expand...

I think I wasn't clear. The stock black plate on the bottom is perfectly adequate for most offroading. In my experience the gas tank is more important to upgrade than the stock front skid plate. So is the transfer case area. I don't know what it would take to actually put a hole in the stock black engine skid - but it's way more than casual offroading.

If the goal is to look armored - they yes gas tank skid is something you can see. If you're actually concerned with damaging things from dragging over rocks, it's not the most vulnerable spot. It's probably the least vulnerable spot of any skid plate area given that the stock skid works pretty well.
 
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I picked up the full set of skid plates from Shrockworks. They are incredibly sturdy and easy to install. Sand them, spray primer, spray paint, and install with a socket set. I painted mine semi-gloss black and they look pretty good.

If you scuff them, just get out your rattle can of spray paint and fix it. :)
 
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