upgrading skids

[delloro]

I have decided to upgrade the skid plates on my 4R. I am looking at RCI since they currently have a 15% discount and reasonable shipping. Initially I plan to order the full skid set (engine, trans,transfer case) and the A arm skids. I am stuck on choosing aluminum or steel. The steel clearly is stronger, but at a 25% weight disadvantage as well as potential rust makes the aluminum consideration worthy. My off road trips will be enough to justify these, but I am looking to see what others RCI owners chose and why. As far as intended use, no rock crawling or tackling major ledges.

I have RCI's aluminum skids and I like them. I use them occasionally and unintentionally. If I was intending to drag them across rock, then I would have got steel.

These cars are not light to begin with. Saving weight is a good idea, and it adds up

 

[EddieV4runnin]

You’ll never notice any difference in acceleration from aluminum to steel on your 4Runner. I went with RCI steel skids and love the fit and finish. I ran over a pack of coyotes two weeks ago and was surprised to find no damage to the bottom of the 4Runner and likely how easily all the fur and blood cleaned came off the powder coat.

 

[david05111]

Just an aside from a bit of a noob. How good is the stock TRD skidplate found on the Pros? Is it actually effective or is it just basically for looks and worth replacing?

 

[1100 Remington Man]

Being from Iowa where they salt the roads a lot in winter I would shy away from Steel.

 

[ryguytheman]

Just an aside from a bit of a noob. How good is the stock TRD skidplate found on the Pros? Is it actually effective or is it just basically for looks and worth replacing?

I can't answer specifically about the TRD skid, but I still have my stock SR5 one. I have put it through the ringer, and it's held up fine. It's beat to hell, warped, scraped, and rusty where the scrapes are. But still solid. I re-paint it every few months to keep the rust at bay. I imagine that the TRD one is probably better than the SR5 plate.

Aftermarket skids look nice, but I think I'd be inclined to buy a take-off from Craigslist when this one is done. The stock skid is perfectly functional, cheap and almost new secondhand, and easy to get a hold of. Will not perform as well as aftermarket, but I can buy several used stock skids for the amount of a new aftermarket one. Talking about the front skid here.

 

[DeltaWhiskey]

I think I am just going to keep the TRD skid I have and add the RCI conversion plate with a Steel trans and transfer case skid to start. Fuel tank and rear diff in a couple months.

 

[-E5J-]

I think I am just going to keep the TRD skid I have and add the RCI conversion plate with a Steel trans and transfer case skid to start. Fuel tank and rear diff in a couple months.

+1 for aluminum all the way back past the t-case plus RCI DOM sliders. Phenomenal products and super beefy.

 

[DeltaWhiskey]

+1 for aluminum all the way back past the t-case plus RCI DOM sliders. Phenomenal products and super beefy.

I already have RSG sliders, and they are beefy as well

 

[Cymon]

Just an aside from a bit of a noob. How good is the stock TRD skidplate found on the Pros? Is it actually effective or is it just basically for looks and worth replacing?

It's 1/4" aluminum, the same that all of the aftermarket aluminum skids are. It holds up pretty well, is wider than the RCI skid but doesn't go back as far. The front RCI skid is the same length as the OEM and TRD front and middle skids. The TRD skid is plenty strong for 99% of the people who drive 4runners. For the other 1% they already have a bumper and aftermarket steel skids.