Skid Plates - Recommendations & Photos

[Mytoy4]

Looking for some recommendations on front skid plates. I'd love to see some photos if possible too. I'm looking for something that comes far enough up that it butts up to the front bumper but not looking for something that's just for looks and serves no purpose.
My goal eventually is to cover the entire underside, but right now I can only start with the front.

Also, would anyone know off hand if a Tacoma skid plate will work on my 08?

 

[LC2013]

Looking for some recommendations on front skid plates. I'd love to see some photos if possible too. I'm looking for something that comes far enough up that it butts up to the front bumper but not looking for something that's just for looks and serves no purpose.
My goal eventually is to cover the entire underside, but right now I can only start with the front.

Also, would anyone know off hand if a Tacoma skid plate will work on my 08?

I'm about to have my RCI skid plates installed if you want to see them in person. Ill be taking pics tonight as well.

Also it seems that all the aftermarket places I talked to about he Taco plates fitting the 4runner said it doesn't work with out some modifications, enough of which put my off of the idea.

 

[Drunner97]

RCI Skid plates don't go all the way to the bumper, you'll need a filler plate. Not sure about the other makes.

You can't really tell it's a filler plate though, looks like the skid goes all the way to the bumper.

 

[CXS]

RCI gets another vote from me. Mine have taken a beating and saved me from a lot of damage.

 

[4rcybr]

I've got an aluminum front skid plate and control arms armor from Ricochet Off Road. A bit lighter than the usual steel options so less impact on handling and suspension, especially since you've got the bumper/other accessory weight to deal with in the front.

Just another possibility.

Toyota 4Runner ? Ricochet Off-Road

 

[NinjaOne]

RCI has my vote and is the route I'll be going soon

Rumor of a Fall group buy in the next couple of weeks as well

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/group-buys/217658-rci-off-road-spring-group-buy-18.html#post2471798

 

[Inv4drZm]

CBI just started making some for our trucks. Haven't seen many pictures of them yet.

Can't go wrong with RCI though. Josh has made a few design improvements over the years which means he has the design nailed down IMO.

I went with steel because I wanted it to last as long as possible considering you can spend $800 on something you expect to get beat up. I bought the RCI front skid but made the rest of mine really cheap. Basically free wheels.:thumb:

 

[calebcalandra]

RCI gets another vote from me. Mine have taken a beating and saved me from a lot of damage.

What's the price on one of those?

 

[CXS]

What's the price on one of those?

They come in sections, I have everything except the gas tank skid.

RCI website

 

[Mytoy4]

I'm about to have my RCI skid plates installed if you want to see them in person. Ill be taking pics tonight as well.
RCI is who I've had my eye on as well, so it's good to see that's the general census.

I so wish I could. Tonight's my night to finish up my Satoshi :reddance:
I would love to see pictures when you're done, though!

RCI Skid plates don't go all the way to the bumper, you'll need a filler plate. Not sure about the other makes.

Thank you for the pics, that helps a great deal!

Rumor of a Fall group buy in the next couple of weeks as well

Great to know, thank you!

 

[Doozi]

I have the "4Plus" (Man-A-Fre) engine and tranny skids with RCI's original transfer case skid. RCI is awesome to work with and has really done a great job with design enhancements. I'm trying to justify swapping all of what I have for RCI's aluminum set-up... it's beautiful stuff!

 

[gm350reratliff]

I would also recommend RCI. I run their skids on both my 4th and 5th gens. I went with aluminum to save some weight but they seem to still hold up OK when taking a beating. We tested them out on Alpine Loop this year. I'd post some pics but our IT Nazi's blocked photobucket at work. I'll try to remember to post some tomorrow at home.

 

[4rcybr]

So I'm seeing a bunch of people recommend the RCI. Well, everyone but me that is. While I'm sure the RCI's are good; there are several other options for front skid plates-is there a reason I'm unaware of that no one is recommending any other option, or is RCI just the only thing people are aware of?

 

[Inv4drZm]

So I'm seeing a bunch of people recommend the RCI. Well, everyone but me that is. While I'm sure the RCI's are good; there are several other options for front skid plates-is there a reason I'm unaware of that no one is recommending any other option, or is RCI just the only thing people are aware of?

Budbuilt, CBI, RCI, Shrockworks, Ricochet aluminum front. All that I know of.

RCI has group buys and is usually cheaper anyway, from what I've seen.

Maybe Relentless fab would be interested in selling some? They made one for their 4th gen...

 

[RazzRoach]

Pretty sure I’m gonna pull the trigger on the rci set since they have the taxtime discount code. Would you recommend steel or aluminum? Besides saving weight is there any point to go aluminum?

 

[Terminator03]

Pretty sure I’m gonna pull the trigger on the rci set since they have the taxtime discount code. Would you recommend steel or aluminum? Besides saving weight is there any point to go aluminum?

Well, for me, the weight savings was a definite advantage, but also one less thing to rust. I also opted for the powder coated option for even more protection. The aluminum is 1/4” thick, and fully gusseted and welded, so I have no doubt they’d hold up against most anything other than maybe the most extreme rockcrawling, in which case you may be better with steel. They also have a nice filler panel to connect to the bumper which is a very nice option as well.:wink2:

 

[RazzRoach]

Well, for me, the weight savings was a definite advantage, but also one less thing to rust. I also opted for the powder coated option for even more protection. The aluminum is 1/4” thick, and fully gusseted and welded, so I have no doubt they’d hold up against most anything other than maybe the most extreme rockcrawling, in which case you may be better with steel. They also have a nice filler panel to connect to the bumper which is a very nice option as well.:wink2:

can you shoot me some pics?!

 

[Terminator03]

can you shoot me some pics?!

Sure, I’ll try to get some later if I remember. Hopefully it doesn’t look too bad because this time of year everything is filthy from the road salt. We’ve been getting a lot of snow lately.

 

[jcaino]

I also pulled the trigger last Friday on a full set of RCI aluminum skids. Opted for raw and will be probably hit them with clear coat.

Since we're in the rust belt, aluminum was kind of a no-brainer. That and not planning on doing any rock crawling (doing more overland-type stuff like old fire roads, logging roads, etc) so don't really need the extra 'slickness' of steel for sliding over rocks - just there for the unexpected.

Just got the shipping notification yesterday and they're scheduled to be delivered this coming Monday, so RCI must have some on the shelf - pretty happy with the turn time on that as I wasn't expecting them until the end of the month at best.

I didn't order the filler plate yet, going to wait and see what it looks like without and go from there.

 

[Terminator03]

I also pulled the trigger last Friday on a full set of RCI aluminum skids. Opted for raw and will be probably hit them with clear coat.

Since we're in the rust belt, aluminum was kind of a no-brainer. That and not planning on doing any rock crawling (doing more overland-type stuff like old fire roads, logging roads, etc) so don't really need the extra 'slickness' of steel for sliding over rocks - just there for the unexpected.

Just got the shipping notification yesterday and they're scheduled to be delivered this coming Monday, so RCI must have some on the shelf - pretty happy with the turn time on that as I wasn't expecting them until the end of the month at best.

I didn't order the filler plate yet, going to wait and see what it looks like without and go from there.

It looks fine without the filler, but it added a nice finishing touch for me, and also more protection from salt spray getting at my already rusty power steering lines and other stuff up front. I’d imagine it also helps with branches and sticks possibly going up in that space to damage the radiator or lines. It’s much thinner sheet metal so it’s not intended for serious rock impacts or anything, but would definitely deflect branches and stuff like that, or salt spray, which I was looking for. Makes it a nice contiguous line from the bumper all the way under the engine.