WTB: 4th Gen OEM Skid Plates

[smokey7722]

So I bottomed out a little in a recent rain where I had to go offroad as the road itself was flooded while the sides were not. Unfortunately the side of the road had a massive hole in the ground I could not see so I nose dived in, bounced out and was on my way. This caused the front skid plate to bend in quite a bit and the rear one to get bent as well. But they did their job and nothing else was damaged. All mounting holes are fine and no bolts broke off.

Given the damage to the plates and the pain to remove them to perform an oil change, I'd like to see if I can find a set in good condition (no rust and black paint intact) to replace these.

This is for my '05 Sport V8 and I am not exactly sure what the going price is but if its reasonable I would consider it. I am located in Las Vegas.

 

[whte4r]

I have skid plates for an 06 v6...is it the same style and everything?

 

[Desert Fox]

Contact Josh at RCI Metalworks

I use his plates and I have put them to the test with no damage to my vehicle. And they have the scars to prove it

 

[smokey7722]

I have skid plates for an 06 v6...is it the same style and everything?

I'm not sure. I know the 2006 should be the same but I am not sure if the v6 is the same as the v8.

 

[smokey7722]

Contact Josh at RCI Metalworks

I use his plates and I have put them to the test with no damage to my vehicle. And they have the scars to prove it

Do you have photos of yours installed? I have no issues with the OEM ones and funny enough have put them through a lot more than I would have expected them to handle and they did great. I also figured I could pickup an unwanted set of OEM's for a lot cheaper than a new aftermarket set.

 

[Desert Fox]

Sorry, I don't have any installed pictures. I am modifying the T Case skid so it is off the 4Runner right now. I bent the heck out of it at Grizzly Lake so I am trying to fix it before I decide to replace it.

I understand not wanting to spend a lot on the plates. If you off road much I would do something other than your OEM though.

There is a difference between in the plates between the V8 and V6 so be cautious. There is also a difference in how the exhaust is routed on some (under the tranny or under the T Case) that will make a difference on what plate you get.

My 03 was a V8 but I sold those plates last year.

Good luck

 

[smokey7722]

Sorry, I don't have any installed pictures. I am modifying the T Case skid so it is off the 4Runner right now. I bent the heck out of it at Grizzly Lake so I am trying to fix it before I decide to replace it.

I understand not wanting to spend a lot on the plates. If you off road much I would do something other than your OEM though.

There is a difference between in the plates between the V8 and V6 so be cautious. There is also a difference in how the exhaust is routed on some (under the tranny or under the T Case) that will make a difference on what plate you get.

My 03 was a V8 but I sold those plates last year.

Good luck

Yea I figured they were different. I don't offroad much at least in terms of thinking I would need additional protection. I've had my '05 since it was new and although I have been out here in Las Vegas for 4 years now and go out shooting often, most of my driving out there is on paths that are not that bad. A lot of the other areas by Lake Mead and all, even if its a stone wash, I have been able to go through without damaging the plates or anything. Thats why I figured the OEM may be sufficient if I can find a replacement set cheap. The damage to them now is from a fluke, funny enough not from offroading intentionally at all.

Right now just comes down to money since my X-REAS is shot as well and needs replacement. I'll give Josh a shout and see what he says as well - I'd love to see some installed pics of the two plates though if I can find some.

 

[Desert Fox]

Here are some pictures I found. The plates on the cardboard are for the V8. The front 2 are aluminum. The front is powder coated and the tranny is bare. The T Case is steel and powder coated. I was preparing to paint them.

The installed pictures are on my 2005 V6. Not a full set in the pics but it gives you an idea. Same set up- aluminum and rattle can paint.

 

[whte4r]

I'm not sure. I know the 2006 should be the same but I am not sure if the v6 is the same as the v8.

Let me know if you find out. I might find myself in vegas sometime and could bring it. I upgraded to the rci skids youve already seen posted here. Highly recommend them! They are awesome, but if you wanna stick with a cheaper stock route and the v6 fits your vehicle...shoot me a pm.

 

[smokey7722]

Let me know if you find out. I might find myself in vegas sometime and could bring it. I upgraded to the rci skids youve already seen posted here. Highly recommend them! They are awesome, but if you wanna stick with a cheaper stock route and the v6 fits your vehicle...shoot me a pm.

Unless I can find a killer deal on OEM's I may go with the RCI's. The only question I have is for the v8 on the RCI, how much of a pain is it to remove the plate to get access to the oil filter for replacement. With the OEM's its two plates there so you remove the front one and its ok. Whereas the RCI is a single, and if I have to remove it to get to the filter, then I don't see a point to the hole for the drain plug being there as I would have to remove the plate anyway.

 

[whte4r]

Unless I can find a killer deal on OEM's I may go with the RCI's. The only question I have is for the v8 on the RCI, how much of a pain is it to remove the plate to get access to the oil filter for replacement. With the OEM's its two plates there so you remove the front one and its ok. Whereas the RCI is a single, and if I have to remove it to get to the filter, then I don't see a point to the hole for the drain plug being there as I would have to remove the plate anyway.

I copied this from the RCI website
"Protect your 4th generation 4Runner from costly underbody damage with an RCI Metalworks front skid plate. An excellent addition to your vehicle or replacement for the cheap and extremely light duty OEM skid plates. An RCI skid plate is CNC cut and brake formed to protect your front two cross-members, low hanging front differential, and oil pan. Service openings designed for easy service and oil changes without removal. Edges are formed between crossmembers to provide maximum strength and rigidity. 100% bolt on addition. All hardware and instructions included."

I would think that this means you dont have to remove it, but dont know since my filter is on top. They are amazing skid plates!

 

[smokey7722]

I copied this from the RCI website
"Protect your 4th generation 4Runner from costly underbody damage with an RCI Metalworks front skid plate. An excellent addition to your vehicle or replacement for the cheap and extremely light duty OEM skid plates. An RCI skid plate is CNC cut and brake formed to protect your front two cross-members, low hanging front differential, and oil pan. Service openings designed for easy service and oil changes without removal. Edges are formed between crossmembers to provide maximum strength and rigidity. 100% bolt on addition. All hardware and instructions included."

I would think that this means you dont have to remove it, but dont know since my filter is on top. They are amazing skid plates!

Right the oil can easily be drained with it installed due to the hole for the drain plug, but the filter on a v8 is up by the front and even from all the images I have seen looks like I would still need to remove it.