How much Armor Do I need? Skids?

I am in the process of procuring a 3rd gen. Currently, I drive my 2nd gen on eroded dirt roads just to get a shooting spot or a place to setup camp for Quads. The roads/trails are so washed out or eaten away (by rain, other vehicles) I am concerned that the bottom of the truck will touch the dirt. I see in addition to front skids, they sell armor for transfer case, A-arms, gas tank etc etc. Do I need full armor or just the front skid plate? What do you guys suggest?

I really like the look of these BPFs

http://www.bpfabricating.com/collections/the-skid-plate/products/bpf-2016-toyota-tacoma-skid-plate

 

Take my advice and go aluminum.

 

Cause its light? How much of it, do I need?

 

RCI makes some really good skid plates too. Here's a few of theirs https://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/mobile/Protection-Lockers_c_93-2.html

 

Take my money!!!

 

I'll add those come in steel or aluminum.

 

The transfer case skid is probably the most important, then the front skid/gas tank to protect oilpan/gastank from a nice hole.

 

I will be getting the transfer and exhaust plate first. why is the aluminum better?

 

Steel is way too heavy. Easier to rust and corrode.

I got a steel rci skid on Black Friday. Great deal but wish I got the aluminum. Was on the truck a week unpainted and was covered with rust. Took it off and painted it. You may save some bucks with the steel but I'm guessing it weighs twice as much as aluminum.

 

Whatever you do, do aluminum.

 

Yea don't go BP Fabricating. Their products are usually overpriced for what they are.

 

front skid and trans skid. the transmission skid will bolt to the back of the cross member where the transfer case mounts. pretty much keeps it protected as well. might need to relocate exhaust pipe, but not sure since I have aftermarket y-pipe that reroute the exhaust above the brace

 

Curious. What was their BF discount on skids?

 

y

 

OP, you never know if you might want to venture into offroading on the weekend. If you do, you might want to look into something a little more stout than aluminum..it would suck to have to buy 2 sets of skids in order to do so. And don't forget sliders; either bolt-on to the frame or weld on. Double as a step AND protection from soccer moms swinging their mercedes' door into your $33K+ truck..ask me how I know..

Here's a list of armor I'm running currently (all steel) :

Avid Off-Road Sliders w/Kickout
B.A.M.F LCA skids
Pelfreybilt IFS skid
Pelfreybilt Mid skid
Pelfreybilt Transfer Case skid
Pelfreybilt Gas Tank skid
Custom diff Armor plate
All-Pro E-Locker Guard

I don't wheel the piss out of it, but I am pretty moderate I would say. Never had any issues with the setup I am running:

 

I paid 200 shipped to my door for a steel unpainted front skid. Not a bad deal but I should of got the lighter aluminum with the oil filter door. Gonna have to drop down this 80lb steel skid every time to change oil... Not looking forward to it

 

Could go with this for oil changes: http://www.fumotousa.com/

 

BudBuilt steel skids are about 190 pounds, and include a front, mid, transfer case, and fuel tank plate. My aluminum BudBuilts are less than 90, and shipped regular UPS in 5 boxes. I still have factory exhaust, but I wrapped it where it's close to the plate so that any contact would be muffled. Unless you plan to to rock crawl, aluminum is plenty.

 

The paper oil filter would still be behind the skid plate.. I think.

 

pelfreybilt