Skid Plates: RCI, CBI, or Other

[CajunMikeR]

There was a 1/4" gap between the crossmember and body frame. RCI says to tighten the bolt to decrease the gap and variations of spacing is due to the 4runner and not their crossmember piece.


But on another forum, there were at least 2 people who had the same issue.

I had a gap as well, but not nearly that bad, maybe 1/8in total. I got the gaps even on both sides then put it to "mechanic tight" and finished assembling. FYI, "mechanic tight" is generally torque almost to yield. [emoji6][emoji38]

 

[Weekend4Runner]

Attached the picture of the 1/4" gap, had to lower the image quality. The driver side sits flush and the passenger has the gap.

Sorry about the big picture, rusty with posting pictures.

 

[lewdog998]

Attached the picture of the 1/4" gap, had to lower the image quality. The driver side sits flush and the passenger has the gap.

Sorry about the big picture, rusty with posting pictures.

Yeah...that looks like a bit much. I will have to check mine out when I get back in town.

 

[Xtremluck]

I've had the RCI aluminum skids for almost 5 years now and have beat the living daylights out of them. They have held up but I think one of the biggest flaws of their system is how they use stock frame welded nuts to support their skids in some precarious places. Which means I've had to deal with broken bolts and eventually broken welded nuts within my truck's frame. Im switching over to CBI's skid system because of this.

 

[YellowSnow]

RCI here for almost two years, zero issues. I don’t really rock crawl, more brolanding so there’s that. I might go the full CBI route if I’m ever in their neck of the woods so I can avoid the near criminal shipping fees.

 

[freeflight]

TRD front skid and then RCI all the way back to the rear diff and shocks. Went 1/4 raw aluminum where available. Glad I waited for the new redesigned skids as they are improved, especially the gas tank. Great quality, perfect fitment, no rattles and received my orders within two weeks each time during big sales.

Interested in RCI. When are the big sales? Thanks

 

[mrblah]

RCI is a good value, especially for their aluminum skids. I have their full set, and beat on them and they have held up well.

There are other companies that offer more bling and protection but at a much higher price point. I just want something that works and isn't too expensive or heavy...RCI wins on those points.

 

[TRD Toy]

I'm looking my self for a set of skids. Can anyone confirm if any of the mfr's mentioned work with a diff drop?

 

[mrblah]

I'm looking my self for a set of skids. Can anyone confirm if any of the mfr's mentioned work with a diff drop?

RCI for sure does..im running a diff drop currently and RCI's.

 

[tylertenny]

I just installed the CTH TRD skid plate a couple of weeks ago. I'm really happy with it and it has an oil filter access panel, which is a nice bonus. The price is really good and it was even better during their Black Friday sale.

<a href="https://ibb.co/yNFPwBq"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/S6wyh7B/skidplate.jpg" alt="skidplate" border="0"></a>

 

[freeflight]

Received RCI skid plate set for 4th gen. The transmission skid plate doesn't have stiffener ribs as shown in YouTube video.

Is this how the plate is now or I received a unfinished plate?

Thanks

 

[AntonioCm1983]

I'm torn Between the Full CBI Steel Skid Plate Package and the Victory 4x4 Full Steel Skid plate package for my 4th gen Build any thoughts Between the 2 companies I like the curves and extra protection wings on the CBI set but Victory 4x4 has More options like control arm skids and the gas tank Skid for the 4th gens

Its heavy--over 100Lbs all together. Got it here and installed myself

 

[AntonioCm1983]

Them red skids are gorgeous they would match my salsa red paint on my 4th gen might need to look into LFD as an option over the Victory 4x4 and CBI full Skid packages I do a ton of Crawling and Recovery love that Victory 4x4 has more skid options like the control arms and the gas tank skid that cbi dosent have but love the Outer wings that cover more on the CBI fab Skids but they don't offer gas tank or control arm skids and Victory 4x4 also offers washer fluid skid for the 4th gens

Fine...Fine!!! Here are some pics! No, I did not scrape with my new found clearance with the suspension upgrades and bigger tires!

 

[TRDHULK]

I went with aluminum RCI for a few reasons.

I don't hardcore rock crawl, so didn't need steal and didn't want the extra weight of steal on my daily driver.

I like how the aluminum matches and integrates with the OEM TRD front skid.

I love how the cat guards look, mount, and protect against cat thieves. I'm in TX and that issue is common here.

They are simple to install and light enough to handle easily by myself.

I got them on sale for a really good deal last year around black Friday.

 

[TexasTJ]

I'm torn Between the Full CBI Steel Skid Plate Package and the Victory 4x4 Full Steel Skid plate package for my 4th gen Build any thoughts Between the 2 companies I like the curves and extra protection wings on the CBI set but Victory 4x4 has More options like control arm skids and the gas tank Skid for the 4th gens

I had the RCI front skid in aluminum for a bit. After seeing posts about them cracking, I pulled it preemptively and sold it. I went with CBI full steel the second time, including the gas tank. I too liked the extra protection of CBI. Up to you, but I didn't find control arm skids necessary for my truck. If you did go with CBI skids, I don't see why Victory LCA skids wouldn't be compatible with it.

Looks like V4x4 oil drain plug is just an open hole, whereas CBI has a removable door. Both have removable door for the oil filter.

 

[patkelly4370]

I have the full CBI set (not fuel tank) in aluminum. Painted them black so that they don't stand out.

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

 

[coltm4]

I ended up getting rid of my TRD skidplate due to the welded nut breaking off inside the frame. It is ridiculous the TRD skid needs to be removed every time you change the oil filter. I now own a complete set of RCI aluminum skids including LCA skids. Yes aluminum gets gouged and shows use, but steel is simple too heavy. And lets be real, the point of skids is to protect expensive parts from being damaged, skids are by their nature sacrificial/disposable. If some company would go to 1/8" high strength steel like SSAB Strenx I'd buy those. Until then, aluminum will have to do. Even better yet, aluminum with HPDE riveted on.

 

[Phaseshift]

I've read that RCI clunks and creaks etc. Does CBI and C4 do the same or they are quiet?

 

[Gstick]

I've read that RCI clunks and creaks etc. Does CBI and C4 do the same or they are quiet?

My RCI engine skid does not clunk or creak.

 

[Geofencedsimian]

We installed ARB skid plates on both of our trucks. The ARB are 3mm (.118”) thick steel, so roughly equivalent to about .160” of aluminum. Those have worked fine for overlanding as we don’t habitually get into rock crawling. The guys who did the install commented that the build quality was very good. No squeaking or other noises.