Looking for advice on skid plates in Canada

I am looking for full skid plate to mount on my 3rd gen. I would like to have one with easy access to oil drain plug/ oil filter. Debating between aluminium and steel.

What brands are available in Ontario? What brands do you recommend and why? If anyone has pics or links, please share.

 

I honestly cant say I know any fab shops in Canada that make stuff specifically for our trucks. I ended up getting mobtown cuz they looked the beefiest had a wicked good sale on, and I didn't have to pay for shipping because I was meeting up with another member for a TW Express

 

@WormSquirts you guys fabricating skid plates yet? hahaha

 

We don't fab skids yet, but we sell either Coastal Offroad, which is a Canadian company, or CBI

 

Do you have a website link?

 

I’d like to see that too. I’m not looking forward to the re and re of the skid plate. I change my oil 6 times a year.

 

Here's Coastal Offroad's link HERE. They just do weld together kits, so shipping would be cheaper for you. Or, if you wanted to order it through us, we can send it to you pre bent/welded, though obviously it will cost more.

CBI's website is HERE. We don't list their stuff on our website, but we can import it for you and ship it out if you want. Just let us know!

Our website is www.overlandoutfitters.ca. We don't have most of that stuff listed yet, but can get it in for you for sure. We are also Canada's largest dealer for a few brands like Prinsu and CaliRaised! We are slowly growing, but as of tomorrow, we have been open for exactly 1 year!!!!

 

holy crap ol'a its already been a year! that's awesome my dude! keep things rolling!

 

I've honestly found it easiest to ship to a depot close to the boarder and then pick it up. I live in Vancouver BC and did this for skids, light bars, and LED pods

 

I was catching up an the Southern Ontario thread and came across someone who posted two Canadian companies that make skids for the taco's. might be worth checking them out.

Greenlane Off-road
makes skid plates and rock sliders

OK Expedition
Skid Plates

 

Forgot about Greenlane, they are from Vancouver Island .we were supposed to sell their stuff at our shop but haven't figured it out yet

 

I was just checking out their website, I wish they had better pictures of their sliders hahaha not sure if I want aluminum tho. realistically I don't think it would be a problem since I wouldn't put them thru as much abuse as most people but there is some comfort in knowing I have some durable steel rock sliders for those just in case moments hahaha

 

These are ours made in house! These specific ones are dcsb



We also have the caliraised sliders in stock

 

now you tell me lol throw a top plate on there and I will start saving my pennies hahaha not looking to buy anything right now. im trying to get some credit card debt paid off so I can buy a house, do I need to be a good boy. which is hard when you hang out on TW

 

Looks good! How much for a powdercoated set?

 

I found some other Canadian made skid plates for the taco:

http://bigcountrycustoms.com/product/tacoma-skid-plate/

No idea how good they are but I've been looking at them as they seem to make plates for the entire length of the truck and the price isn't terrible.

If anyone has these skid plates please post a review, I'm definitely interested!

 

^No door or cutout for the 3rd gen oil filter. Kinda surprising because it isn't hard to manufacture - just four holes and clip nuts.

 

Yeah I noticed that as well as the fact a lot of the plates seem to have holes drilled in them presumably for weight reduction. I must say it worries me that a lot of dirt and debris can probably gather up there and not being powder coated makes me wonder if they would rust out/rust out the bottom of my truck... any thoughts? And can you or anyone recommend the best skid plates to buy? I am still stuck on deciding if I should go steel or aluminum, and I am wondering if 3/16 steel is really strong enough? Can anyone enlighten me? Should steel plates be powder coated to last or is it a waste? Is aluminum better other then for weight reduction? Any and all thoughts or comments appreciated as this is my next big purchase for my taco!

 

^A lot of off-road armor and accessories are shipped bare metal. More prevalent with smaller fabricators who don't want to deal with a subcontractor for coatings and accompanying warranty/shipping damage claims.

Steel parts should never be run without a protective coating in Canada due to rust. Apply the coating of your choice - paint, powder coat, zinc plate, bedliner... whatever.

Dirt, snow and road salt will gather on top of the skid plates whether it has lightening holes or not.

Depending on the terrain, lightening holes can be a vulnerability - a tree branch can poke through the hole and cut a transmission line, etc.

3/16" steel is strong enough to support the weight of the truck if you go slow. If you go fast, 1/4" steel is more robust.