Full Length Skid Plate

Hey guys so I want to say that this skid plate is a last minute buy. But before I buy it, I want to ask everyone would it be necessary. Im going on a camping/slash off roading trip up at AOAA, many of you have probably heard of it. I will be only sticking to the green trails because I am still inexperienced but I have zero armor underneath my truck and I'm wondering if it's necessary because I have a 3 inch lift in the front 1 inch lift in the back and 32 inch tires.

Heres the link to see the skid plate: http://puretacoma.com/arb-c-649_935/20052018-toyota-tacoma-arb-skid-plates-p-7213.html

 

I think i would prefer something thicker tbh. 3 mm plate steel comes out to around 1/8 thick. Most run 3/16 which is just about 5mm thick, not a HUGE difference but when you are up on a rock i would want something that can hold up, especially if you want to hit harder trails in the future, might as well armor up now. For just about the same amount you can get the RCI front skid, transmission skid, and transfer case skidplate in 3/16 (5mm) for about 725$. For another 100$ you can get 1/4 thick (6mm) lower control arm skids from armor tech offroad. Thats a total of 825$ not including shipping costs but you would pay shipping with ARBregardless. So for like what another 50 bucks you will get an extra armor set (LCA's) and over all thicker armor.

 

As a noob, I'd hate to give you an advice, but spending close to $800 (or more with shipping) on 1/8" skids, doesn't seem too rational... But then again, I just spent more than that in 1/4" aluminum skids.
Generally, you might not need armor on green trails in AOAA, so maybe you can get away without it?! I've been there only twice ( with stock OR ), and only scraped my exhaust pipe over the tc. I did hit a few rocks with my frame, but I don't have any lift.
I'd say that if you'll enjoy the off road runs during big bash, and would want to push harder next time, you might want to invest into better protection.
Good luck

 

You probably are right as ive never been to AOAA so i wouldnt know the trail rockiness. But then again it is nice to have the piece of mind knowing your babys soft underbelly is safe. Pay 800 for constant protection, or damage shit, pay more than that or equal to for repairs, then pay 825$ for 3/16 skids from RCI hmmmmm.

 

Thank you and Im still in the stage of babying my truck so I don't dive in like its a beater truck but thats great to know!! Thank you very much

 

I did say MIGHT! Please take it under consideration. I don't consider my 4000 mile truck a beater neither... and since it's my DD, and I don't off-road often, I've decided on 1/4" aluminum.
Aaaand @MurderedTacoV2 is right, piece of mind will be priceless

 

You two are right Im just having a hard time of bringing myself too spend the money. But once again its either a 800 dollar fee now or spend more on repairs that could potentially happen

 

For me the breaking point was when i had to repair my front cross member FROM ALL THE FUCKING ROCKS IT KEPT HITTING. Also plopped my tranny pan down on a log and smushed i about 1/4 of an inch inward. I enjoy mud holes as well as rocks. So knowing whatever is down there will meet my skids is a big weight off the shoulders. A good line is great, but going the way it looks like you shouldnt be going is totally fun too

 

If you dont have the money then dont do it. Also RCI has a group buy thats suppose to start Monday, that means DISCOUNTS!!!!! AOAA isnt going anywhere any time soon also so here

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rci-offroad-group-buy-feeler.514257/
112 signups so far, hop on.

 

I'm going to the same trip as well in a few weeks! (I'm assuming you're talking about the one the weekend of the 18th)

Either way, you're fairly local to mobtown offroad. They make BEEFY skids, and as military we get 10% off. Could pick them up saving on shipping as well. I have all three of their skids and they take a beating.

All that aside, you won't need skids on the green trails there. If you want them though, don't hesitate to buy them.

 

Also fairly local (NJ) @TNT4X4 is Mobtown's authorized dealer, and I've been told, has some things in stock

 

That'd be a great way to get them before the event. Otherwise I doubt it'll happen in time.

 

In general: Very rocky. Very, very rocky. And in places, very muddy. And, if you're lucky, you'll find the places that are both very rocky and very muddy at the same time.

The green trails shouldn't give you trouble in terms of needing armor, but it's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

 

Thank you guys I appreciate the information and comments! And also learning some new places I can get skid plates. I have mad the decision of buying this one just for now for some light armor and as I save up more money get heavy duty skid plates from places like Pelfreybilt. Even though their pieces are expensive they are durable as hell.

 

Pelfreybilt makes good stuff, but Mobtowns skids are stronger. I'm not just saying this because I run them, but they really are. The pics speak for themselves.

Pelfreybilt IFS and transmission skid:



Mobtown IFS and transmission skid:

 

Agreed. @Mobtown Offroad is an awesome company. I buy all their stuff. They stand by their product, great customer service, and they are all named Joe

 

Budbilt makes really nice heavy duty steel skids as well, for a good price.

 

Hmmm since Im still new to this I thought that Pelfreybilt was the only company that everyone went to for parts buts thats awesome to know!! I will certainly take a look at their inventory and compare the two

 

I think it just depends on how much you intended on using them
I was lucky enough to find some used pelfrey steels for free front/mid/rear. But if you want to use them go 1/4 steel. Mine are 3/16 steel and while they feel big and strong they have some huge dents that needed some hammering for a while.

 

Not at all! Did you see my post earlier about how mobtown has 10% off for us military, as well as being local enough to pick up if you wanted? They're only 2.5 hours away from you, and you'd save a bunch on shipping.