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What's the consensus on the accessory front skid plate?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Pool Runner, Sep 24, 2014.

  1. Sep 24, 2014 at 9:29 AM
    #1
    Pool Runner

    Pool Runner [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I'm looking to spend about $200 on something for my truck, and I am undecided on the OEM, accessory front skid plate thing. It looks like it is just an appearance enhancement item. Everything it is protecting is already a hard point under the truck in that area? So I'm confused. I'm 50% on the look, in some ways it kind of gives the truck a beefier or more rugged look, in other ways it looks kind of gimmicky and cheesy in my opinion.

    I'm also undecided on replacing the chrome grille surround to a Silver Sky matching one. But for some reason the chrome stock one works on this silver color, where it doesn't as well with white or black if that makes sense. I also feel that if I do the grille mod, I would have to either PTM my chrome rear bumper, or find a pre-painted Silver Sky Met one, which will be both $$$ and hard to find.

    Lastly seeing that winter is just around the corner, a better $200 mod would be on some Weathertechs, or OEM rubber floor mats? Right now I'm using the ones that came out of my '13 WRX, in place of the OEM carpeted Tacoma mats until I can decide to get the all weather ones or not.

    The mod I mostly want (I think??) is the skid plate, looks good with a silver or gray truck. Put seams like the most useless part I could possibly attach to my truck.
     
  2. Sep 24, 2014 at 9:35 AM
    #2
    12TRDTacoma

    12TRDTacoma Powered by Ford, GM, VW, and Mercedes

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    Nope.

    Save your money, get the weathertechs, or if you are intent on getting a front that actually provides some protection get a real 1/4" or 3/16" steel skid plate from one of the vendors. You have many choices on the style but they all centrally perofrm the same function, others offering more protection then the others. The stock Tacoma one is craptastic aluminum, which can bend just by looking at it the wrong way. Ask me how I know.
     
  3. Sep 24, 2014 at 9:40 AM
    #3
    geekhouse23

    geekhouse23 The "Liftman" - @DrFunker

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    WeatheTechs are definitely in my top 10 favorite mods I've done.

    With regards to the skid plate, what will the function/use of the truck be? If you are looking at it simply for looks, save your money. If you are looking to get into wheeling, then get a beefy steel front skid.

    Function >>>>>>>>>> Form
     
  4. Sep 24, 2014 at 9:51 AM
    #4
    Capt. Obvious

    Capt. Obvious Fearless Keyboard Warrior

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    Get the Weathertech mats, they are worth every penny.
     
  5. Sep 24, 2014 at 9:56 AM
    #5
    wake100

    wake100 Well-Known Member

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    I have husky liners for floor mats. something I regret not getting for my last vehicle and got the truck and they made it to the top of the list of things to do including seat covers.
     
  6. Sep 24, 2014 at 10:15 AM
    #6
    Sinjen

    Sinjen Active Member

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    I've seen Weathertech ads for years and never gave them a second thought. They came in my new-to-me '13 and they are truly an amazing product.
     
  7. Sep 24, 2014 at 12:06 PM
    #7
    s810

    s810 Active Member

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    I got the weathertech digital fit floor liners for the front and back seats and they are great. I originally bought the all weather floor mats that Toyota makes but they turned out to be a pos. Go with the floor mats. If you have dirt where you live and you care about keeping your interior clean, you'll love them.

    I bought the front skid plate as well. It looks great on my truck but it's for appearances only. If I did serious offroading and wanted undercarriage protection, I'd go with something else.
     
  8. Sep 24, 2014 at 1:06 PM
    #8
    DanceswithWolves

    DanceswithWolves palabra a tu madre

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  9. Sep 24, 2014 at 1:14 PM
    #9
    GroupW

    GroupW Well-Known Member

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    3 inch lift with Toytec Boss and All Pro UCA's up front. AP expedition leafs with Bilstien 5100 shocks in the back. 255/85/16 Cooper S/T Max tires. All Pro skids, rear bumper and sliders, Hidden winch mount with XRC 8000 winch. Dual Optima batteries with IBS combiner/isolator and solar. CMC. Auto sliding rear window mod, hidden CB, CVJ axles and plenty of other little mods.
    I've gotta toss my vote with the group. Get the Weathertechs now and a real skid plate later.
     
  10. Sep 24, 2014 at 1:17 PM
    #10
    hotrod53

    hotrod53 Well-Known Member

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    Weathertech floor liners moded to hold OEM floor mats, weathertech vent visors, Toyota bed mat, LEER 100XL cap, hood gasket mod to stop whistling.
    Weathertech floor liners, weathertech window visors, two excellent additions IMO. I mounted my all weather mats inside of my WT floor liners.

    In addition.. WT customer service has been stellar. I've been buying their products for 8 years.
     
  11. Sep 24, 2014 at 1:24 PM
    #11
    hoarder23

    hoarder23 Truck fell over

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    The OEM thing is not a skid plate but a splash plate. Its good for keeping mud and rocks out of the underside of your engine but will bend the minute it sees something hard.

    Weathertechs or some other formed floors mats are a much better choice. Its nice not having to worry about mud or grease or rain when getting in your truck.
     
  12. Sep 24, 2014 at 1:26 PM
    #12
    DanceswithWolves

    DanceswithWolves palabra a tu madre

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    Beav: why u like the husky's? I had the Weathertech Digi and I liked the height of the lip for catching snow. I could just dump them out like a bucket. I'm ready to buy something for the truck before snow falls. I had the digis in my Dakota, Escape and then the Titan. My CX-9 has OEM all-weather which dealer gave me part in trade for carpeted mats.

    Do tell.

    Edit: just read your reply. my previous vehicles didn't have holes.
     
  13. Sep 24, 2014 at 1:30 PM
    #13
    darkfader

    darkfader Will this fit without rubbing?

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    i got the weathertechs for my birthday a couple weeks ago and i really like them. i was looking at the OEM trd skid plate but i decided i'll go with the bulletproof fabricating skidplate instead. it's only a little more money and steel.
     
  14. Sep 24, 2014 at 1:36 PM
    #14
    DanceswithWolves

    DanceswithWolves palabra a tu madre

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    Thanks for the pictorial Beav. Husky it is. I owe you a stout, properly poured, of course.

    OT: hey Darkfader, is that your MR? Still have it?
     
  15. Sep 24, 2014 at 1:37 PM
    #15
    wake100

    wake100 Well-Known Member

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    in my opinion you cant go wrong with either mat. only thing I know is that the little tab that holds the floor mats in place is covered with the husky. I don't remember but heard that's not truck with weather tech. id have to say they both winners compare to the crap oem all season floor mats or carpets
     
  16. Sep 24, 2014 at 1:37 PM
    #16
    TRSAndrew

    TRSAndrew Well-Known Member Vendor

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    I love mine and it was worth the money.
     
  17. Sep 24, 2014 at 1:52 PM
    #17
    darkfader

    darkfader Will this fit without rubbing?

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    WAS my MR. just sold it a month ago. i suppose i should change my sig pic. currently looking for another to build up. besides a sportbike, probably the most fun vehicle i have ever driven.
     
  18. Sep 24, 2014 at 1:53 PM
    #18
    Justus

    Justus fucks not given

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    The aftermarket skid is to skidplate as skewp is to trd sport hood.

    both look cool, but both are pretty much just for looks.
     
  19. Sep 24, 2014 at 1:57 PM
    #19
    DanceswithWolves

    DanceswithWolves palabra a tu madre

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    Hear that. my best bud in Florida had one with JDM turbo stock motor swap. I had a 97 240sx with slightly built SR swap. we traded cars often and i loved driving his, such a balanced chassis. Japan did cars right back then, still do!
     
  20. Sep 24, 2014 at 2:05 PM
    #20
    craigb

    craigb Well-Known Member

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    Leer Cap Bilstein Shocks under bed lighting all weather mats window rain guards bed mat
    X2, Husky liners are made for real trucks.
     

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