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Front skid plate. Is it worth it?

Discussion in 'Product Reviews' started by FoxTaco, Dec 1, 2009.

  1. Dec 1, 2009 at 12:25 PM
    #1
    FoxTaco

    FoxTaco [OP] Hoyt and Tacoma for life!!

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    AFE cold air intake, TRD Cat-Bak, Fox 2.5" resevoir coilovers & 2.0 rear Fox Shox from All-Pro Offroad.com, Daystar 2 1/2" leveling kit, , RBP black mesh grille, Panasonic double din touchscreen (flush(no flip out))
    Im think about getting a front new front skid plate, cause lets face it, the black plastic one is a joke against rocks. Is worth the extra money? Which one is the best? Does it add a lot of weight? Any suggestions or info would be a great help and much appreciated! Thanks!!
     
  2. Dec 1, 2009 at 12:28 PM
    #2
    Brunes

    Brunes abides.

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    Inside: Tint, Wet Okole 1/2 Piped Red/Black Covers, Black Weathertech Digital Fit Mats, URD Short Throw w/ TWM Weighted Knob, USA Spec iPod adapter. Outside: 4300K Retro w/ Angel Eyes and Red Shrouds, 5000K Blazer Fog Light Retrofit, Debadge, Bed Locking Handle, Satin Black Rims Performance: TRD/Steigmeier Blower w/ 2.7 Pulley. 668 Injectors and 320 LPH AEM Fuel pump. URD UCON and 7th Injector. DTLT Headers, URD Y-Pipe, Wicked Flow Muffler. Suspension: Both: OME Shocks Front: 886X's and TC UCAs Rear: Dakars Armor: Relentless Front Bumper Relentless High Clearance Rear w/ Tire/Rotopax Swing Out Relentless Front, Mid, and TCase skids BAMF Diff Skid Recovery and Spares: Fullsize Spare Tire 2x2 gal Rotopax 1x1 gal Rotopax 1x1 gal Water Rotopax Warn 9.5XP-S Winch Hi-Lift Extreme 60" Ironman Off-Road Recovery Kit
    You have a plastic "skid plate"?? If you get a good brand (Bud Built, All Pro, etc) you'll be adding a bit of weight but it's worth the protection if you wheel your rig moderately or more...If you like to push it the protection is better than having to tow your shit out and get the whole front end of the drive line repaired or whatever....
     
  3. Dec 1, 2009 at 12:32 PM
    #3
    FoxTaco

    FoxTaco [OP] Hoyt and Tacoma for life!!

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    09 4x4 Fox coilovers w/black rims
    AFE cold air intake, TRD Cat-Bak, Fox 2.5" resevoir coilovers & 2.0 rear Fox Shox from All-Pro Offroad.com, Daystar 2 1/2" leveling kit, , RBP black mesh grille, Panasonic double din touchscreen (flush(no flip out))
    Well i have the stock skid plate. My buddy has the TRD skid plate but its pretty expensive.
     
  4. Dec 1, 2009 at 12:35 PM
    #4
    Brunes

    Brunes abides.

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    IMHO that TRD skid plate is crap...Looks cool but doesn't really do anything. That stock "skid plate" is more a mud guard/shelf than anything...Real protection comes from something like the Bud Built IFS skid plates.
     
  5. Dec 1, 2009 at 12:35 PM
    #5
    sandman427

    sandman427 KR FAB

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    yea due i saw that too... i think they are over priced as well... ive had the same question as ya... do wheel hard??
     
  6. Dec 1, 2009 at 12:43 PM
    #6
    FoxTaco

    FoxTaco [OP] Hoyt and Tacoma for life!!

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    Ya i do sometimes. All my friends have Taco's and we all have the same question. We are planning a trip to bald mountain in the sierra nevada's in a couple weeks and a few snow runs so i want to be covered before we go. Also i have torn a CV boot driving thru fields at work ,I farm tree fruit, and was wondering if there is any type of lower A-arm protection so i dont tear anymore?
     
  7. Dec 1, 2009 at 12:46 PM
    #7
    sandman427

    sandman427 KR FAB

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    4wheelparts has a lot...ill find the link and let u know... but damn u got a torn CV boot from hitting shrub??
     
  8. Dec 1, 2009 at 12:51 PM
    #8
    FoxTaco

    FoxTaco [OP] Hoyt and Tacoma for life!!

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    Ya brush in the field, more specifically plum branches, are notorious for puncturing tires, even tractor tires. I assume my tires kicked up a stick and tore the passenger CV boot. about a 2" gash! Pissed me off!
     
  9. Dec 1, 2009 at 12:54 PM
    #9
    blendedfamily

    blendedfamily Well-Known Member

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    I just smashed the hell out of my t-case today after falling into a rut that was way deeper than I thought. Gonna spray the mud off later today and inspect for heart-breaks. After that, I'm going to invest in some more comprehensive protection. I don't really have the cash for skid-plates, but I definitely don't have the cash for the rest of the garbage that can go wrong, especially cuz my truck is a daily driver.

    So -- any good MFGR's? I'm also on the hunt for some protection... What's a good place to start for moderate weekend warriors like myself? I'd like to eventually cover everything, but is that necessary?
     
  10. Dec 1, 2009 at 12:58 PM
    #10
    silver07taco

    silver07taco Well-Known Member

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    2013 Tundra RCSB 5.7 4x4, 2007 Tacoma AC 4.0 4x4
    If you wheel your truck, Buy skids there cheaper then a new t case or anything els under your truck
     
  11. Dec 1, 2009 at 12:59 PM
    #11
    FoxTaco

    FoxTaco [OP] Hoyt and Tacoma for life!!

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    I've been doing a lot of research since i posted this and i think i might go with the AllPro front skid and maybe eventually front bumper. I bought my lift from them and they have been a great company to work with!
     
  12. Dec 1, 2009 at 1:00 PM
    #12
    mjp2

    mjp2 Living vicariously through myself Moderator

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    BudBuilt or All Pro and you won't be disappointed.

    I'm running BudBuilt skids.
    [​IMG]
    Ignore the boxes up front. They were a custom workaround to fit with the differential drop. Done over again, the differential drop gets skipped.
     
    DistortedAxis likes this.
  13. Dec 1, 2009 at 1:03 PM
    #13
    blendedfamily

    blendedfamily Well-Known Member

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    'Burque(sucks)

    That covers the IFS, t-case, front diff, and tranny?
     
  14. Dec 1, 2009 at 1:07 PM
    #14
    mjp2

    mjp2 Living vicariously through myself Moderator

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    Yep. Bud also has a gas tank skid available that I'm not running. No gas tank under the bed in my truck.
     
  15. Dec 1, 2009 at 1:07 PM
    #15
    mjp2

    mjp2 Living vicariously through myself Moderator

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    The hole in the center is for changing the oil without having to remove everything.
     
  16. Dec 1, 2009 at 1:08 PM
    #16
    AvsFanTRD

    AvsFanTRD Oh gravity, thou art a heartless bitch!

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    ^^ how much of a pain is that to take off for each oil change and other regular maintenance?
     
  17. Dec 1, 2009 at 1:10 PM
    #17
    mjp2

    mjp2 Living vicariously through myself Moderator

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    :p
     
  18. Dec 1, 2009 at 1:11 PM
    #18
    blendedfamily

    blendedfamily Well-Known Member

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    'Burque(sucks)
    Oil change hole is a good idea -- what 'bout t-case, front end fluid changes, and tranny changes? does this thing get sloped with mud? How hard is that to clean?

    This is a direct bolt in application or is there welding involved?
     
  19. Dec 1, 2009 at 1:19 PM
    #19
    mjp2

    mjp2 Living vicariously through myself Moderator

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    The rear-most support either needs to be welded or drilled-and-bolted to the frame. Everything else bolts right up.

    Like the rest of your truck it'll hold dirt and mud if you run through that stuff. Pulling them takes maybe 1/2 hour by yourself with hand tools and no lift. Use a floor jack for support as they weigh somewhere in the neighborhood of 120lbs.

    Regarding service, how often do you change your transfer case, front differential, and transmission fluid? (if you have an automatic you'll never change the fluid) I'd think an hour of time every few years would be worth the security of knowing your transfer case will still be intact after you land on a boulder or belly-drag over a tree stump.
     
  20. Dec 1, 2009 at 1:27 PM
    #20
    blendedfamily

    blendedfamily Well-Known Member

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    'Burque(sucks)
    Oh yeah -- I'm sold on the plate. Probably fluid change every 2 years or so, just to be on the safe side.

    Do those IFS skids come with the kit, too?

    How much did it set you back?
     

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