The skid plate thread

The stock skids only cover the radiator, engine and oil pan. They do not cover the transmission pan. So, the RCI front skid alone will replicate the stock coverage. If you're not off roading you don't need aftermarket skids, period. You don't even need factory ones. I sometimes take off my heavy duty skids between off road trips and only put the front one back on because it looks bad without it. That leaves the front differential and oil pan uncovered and it's totally fine.
 
STX4Runner said:
The stock skids only cover the radiator, engine and oil pan. They do not cover the transmission pan. So, the RCI front skid alone will replicate the stock coverage.
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Exactly what I'm getting at... So to replace stock 3 pieces, all I need are these 2 RCI parts...
 

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Correct, plus if you do decide to off roading, adding the transmission and transfer skids wont hurt so much.
 
slide531 said:
One note on the Rci aluminum skids. This is what mine looked like a week after I installed them. I think that aluminum oil drain cover is a weak link as it clearly isn't that strong and is in the most vulnerable area. I wrote Rci about it, it's been a week and still waiting for a reply...

571aad6d6ea72c7ec312b1202826cc7a.jpg


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But think about how much lighter and corrosion resistant that amumium is.

I'm sure Josh will send you a replacment door for a nominal fee. All skids are have a service life set by use and maintenance. Some users will go the vehicle life with a good set of skids, some will only last a couple of years. It appears that you bumped a rock pretty hard, that is ok, but don't expect RCI to cover your new access door because you hit a rock with aluminum skids. Trail damage is part of the game, accept it, embrace it, and then brag about it around the camp fire.
 
Rci

i'm looking at the RCIs....I emailed the guy...with the TRD Pro...
you need to get the small filler, transmission, tc and would get the gas tank..

I had Ricochets on my fj...and they were made with the same material...1/4in aluminum...they took a real beating for the 7 years i had it...

I'll keep you posted if and when i get them...they offer a 10% discount when you buy the package
 
zcruiser said:
If I had the stock filler plate that is...
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I have to agree that the RCi is the better way to go. It's not just that it would be stronger, with the oil change door you won't have to worry about lazy techs stripping threads or messing up your stock skid that you paid more for. Also I really wouldn't worry about that filler plate, if you aren't off-roading it's unnecessary.
 
Sleeter said:
I'm sure Josh will send you a replacement door for a nominal fee.... but don't expect RCI to cover your new access door because you hit a rock with aluminum skids. .
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Never hurts to ask. I can take no for an answer. What I don't like is being completely ignored, even when I was planning to buy the front filler plate.



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Jhalko said:
I have to agree that the RCi is the better way to go. It's not just that it would be stronger, with the oil change door you won't have to worry about lazy techs stripping threads or messing up your stock skid that you paid more for. Also I really wouldn't worry about that filler plate, if you aren't off-roading it's unnecessary.
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Still considering the RCI, but in my case I'm not paying for stock skid plates, I'm paying SHIPPING COSTS for stock skid plates...
 
Not to point out the obvious but the point of skid plates it to take the beating instead of all those very expensive and complicated bits under there. Skids should be disposable, cheap and easy to replace.

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For what it's worth, RCI isn't the only one fabricating aftermarket skids. They do make a quality product, but I notice you are about a 2.5 hour drive from Hudson, NC, home of Budbuilt.

10-17 4Runner Front Skid Plate

You'd have to pay in-state sales tax, gas, and mileage, but no shipping.

Also, I'm not sure the BB front skid will replace both OEM skids.

There's also Hefty Fabworks.
 
jwkilgore said:
For what it's worth, RCI isn't the only one fabricating aftermarket skids. They do make a quality product, but I notice you are about a 2.5 hour drive from Hudson, NC, home of Budbuilt.

10-17 4Runner Front Skid Plate

You'd have to pay in-state sales tax, gas, and mileage, but no shipping.

Also, I'm not sure the BB front skid will replace both OEM skids.

There's also Hefty Fabworks.
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The BudBuilt front plate will not replace both stock front skids, only the stock engine skid.
 
Question on the RCI skid front plate. Do you have to take off the front skid plate every time you want to jack up the front cross mount? Looking at the stock skid plate, it's got some kind of support between the skid and the cross mount, but the RCI looks like there is nothing there.
 
I love my RCI Skids, but I wish I never installed them.

I hope I dont have any engine or tranny issues before I have time to fix the nuts that had the tack welds break free. As of right now I cannot take the skid plate under my diff off. :fear:
 
L-Force said:
The group buy ended a couple weeks ago, but thats when I ordered mine and the gave 15% discount, which alleviated the shipping and most of the powder coat costs.
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This site is getting me in trouble with the wife... skid plate is a must!! Thanks guys, it's my next mod!
 
ToyoDriver said:
I love my RCI Skids, but I wish I never installed them.

I hope I dont have any engine or tranny issues before I have time to fix the nuts that had the tack welds break free. As of right now I cannot take the skid plate under my diff off. :fear:
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Why do you regret installing them?
 
I did some research and didn't come up with much. Being skid plate thread thought I would ask the question here. The stock front skid has a front screen with a air dam/deflector behind it that looks like it directs air to the front differential. I always thought that was for cooling, maybe I'm wrong? Surely Toyota did that for a reason? Do the aftermarket skids have something like this? I haven't seen any pictures of one. Anyone concerned about this?
 
ToyoDriver said:
I love my RCI Skids, but I wish I never installed them.

I hope I dont have any engine or tranny issues before I have time to fix the nuts that had the tack welds break free. As of right now I cannot take the skid plate under my diff off. :fear:
Click to expand...

KuhDunkADunk said:
Why do you regret installing them?
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I had this exact problem (nuts breaking free of the tack weld). Was able to get a small wrench inside the frame to hold the nuts in place to remove the bolts. It takes a lot of patience. To replace your skid plate, just reverse the procedure. We used a small bit of paper inside the wrench to get the nut to sit tight until the bolt was started through.

Remember... patience.
 
Aussiedogs said:
I did some research and didn't come up with much. Being skid plate thread thought I would ask the question here. The stock front skid has a front screen with a air dam/deflector behind it that looks like it directs air to the front differential. I always thought that was for cooling, maybe I'm wrong? Surely Toyota did that for a reason? Do the aftermarket skids have something like this? I haven't seen any pictures of one. Anyone concerned about this?
Click to expand...

No and no. Folks on here have been wheeling for years with aftermarket skids. No issues that I'm aware of.

:wink2:
 
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