Skid Plate
- Thread starter sant6236
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shuly
New member
If you are going to spend money on skid plates don't get the OEM plates. If you plan going off road at all, look at seriously upgrading the plates. The OEM plates (which I removed) are weak and very thin. I replaced mine with a whole set of bud-built plates (1/4" plate steel - powder coated black). I love them!!! The only downside is that they are heavy. If you are worried about fuel economy someone (I can't remember who now) is making Aluminum flat full body skids. It wasn't bud though. But they are lighter and should provide decent protection although probably not quite as strong. If you never plan on going off roading them OEM should be fine and will generally protect you from road debris. If you haven't bought anything yet check out bud built and maybe someone on the board here knows the manufacturer or the 1/4" aluminum ones as well.
BlairB
New member
I have actually personally experienced ripping through a stock FJ skid plate, which is the same as the 4Runners. We cracked our 4wd solenoid and with it our front-wheel-drive, we really struggled to get out of the Mojave with 2wd.
Moral of the story, don't waste money on a stock skidplate.
Moral of the story, don't waste money on a stock skidplate.
alaskaman
Senior Member
I just got the Toyota skid plate onto my 4Runner. Paid $149.00 at dealer installed free. I have seen them as low as $115.00 on the web. I think that for my purposes some serious snow driving but limited real off road the OEM makes sense. It is more substantial than I thought it would be and bolts on hard and fast to the chassis. I looked at Jaos but felt that was to much for my needs. It also after some looking at it fits in nicely with the 4Runner overall design IMO.
BlairB
New member
alaskaman said:
Wait, do you have a link to what you are talking about?
If it is what I am thinking, it literally does nothing. Every time I go off roading it ends up bent in some new way up into the bumper, it is not substantial at all.
It actually does more damage than I would have than not having it, due to the number of times it has hit the bumper.
MikeinCincy
New member
www.toyotaparts4u.com
Here's the actual link:
http://www.toyotaparts4u.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=13
I bought mine from them. It's great. I really like it a lot. It only took maybe 10-15 mins to put on. I am posting pics of my truck here on Saturday in case you want to see what it looks like on a titanium metallic 4Runner.
Here's the actual link:
http://www.toyotaparts4u.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=13
I bought mine from them. It's great. I really like it a lot. It only took maybe 10-15 mins to put on. I am posting pics of my truck here on Saturday in case you want to see what it looks like on a titanium metallic 4Runner.
teampwr2
New member
If you want real Skid Plates for your runner here ya go ...This is the answer.
http://www.budbuilt.com/new/03+4Runner.html
He Has them For Later models too .
azmaxguy480
New member
Man that is some serious steel in that last link. I want to upgrade mine a little at a time. My front thin oem one is toast already, but what about the one from ebay the silver one? is it just as thin as the stock thin black one?
Net4n6
New member
BlairB said:
Mine stock skid saved my front bumper and other "front end" stuffs. I caught air and the entire front end slammed down hard. The factory skid plate and its mounting brackets absorb the hit. Without it, mine front bumper would slam hard to the sand. I glad that I had it. Now, I will spend $ to get the factory one as replacement. I want some harder/stronger plate. Budbuilt looks good. No extra money for my 4runner yet.
Off topic: My wife's Benz need new tires and major tune up. Damm German car expensive to maintenance ($350 for flush radiator and oil change).
