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Steel or Aluminum Armor?

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by 508Tacoma, Apr 30, 2019.

  1. Apr 30, 2019 at 8:34 AM
    #21
    rlx02

    rlx02 ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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    That's what I have. Aluminum front bumper, since I'm least likely to hit anything except for maybe pivoting off of a tree. Steel rock sliders. Steel rear high clearance bumper. I'm getting 18.6 mpgs freeway, 17 city still.

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Apr 30, 2019 at 8:36 AM
    #22
    508Tacoma

    508Tacoma [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Nice looking build! Do you have skids as well? Brands?
     
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  3. Apr 30, 2019 at 8:40 AM
    #23
    rlx02

    rlx02 ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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    Thanks! Front bumper is the CBI T3 with mid hoop in aluminum. Rock sliders are weld-on 4xinnovations with kick out. Rear bumper is ATH high clearance rear bumper with hidden hitch and swing arm.

    I'm still looking at options for my IFS skid. I would get a steel one but would probably not have it bolted on unless I'm headed out for a weekend of wheeling. I only go wheeling a hand full of times a year so I try to keep the truck as light as possible.

    [​IMG]
     
    508Tacoma[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  4. Apr 30, 2019 at 9:02 AM
    #24
    dbbowen2

    dbbowen2 Former Rock Crawler.

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    People are buying the aluminum skid for looks and because it has the letters TRD on them. Same people are buying the TRD Cold Air Intake for no performance gain and for the red letters. I mean if you want to buy stuff to throw on your truck for looks thats all fine and dandy, but aluminum skids will NOT take any type of beating.


    You can also buy a TRD non functional snorkel too... it isnt a snorkel but gives you the look of one.


    The moral of the story is...



    A fool and his money are soon parted.
     
    JoeCOVA and trajiiic[QUOTED] like this.
  5. Apr 30, 2019 at 9:05 AM
    #25
    DaveInDenver

    DaveInDenver Not Actually in Denver

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    Unexceptional
    Toyota included the stamped steel plates stock but those are definitely not skid plates. Does Toyota say the aluminum ones are actually designed to be harder use skid plates?
     
  6. Apr 30, 2019 at 9:07 AM
    #26
    BraskaTaco

    BraskaTaco Well-Known Member

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    I’m glad I got an aluminum front bumper. I do minimal wheeling that bashes on it and after seeing how badly rusted my rear bumper has gotten after just under 2 years in the salt belt, I’m glad I don’t have to worry about it.
     
    rlx02 likes this.
  7. Apr 30, 2019 at 9:08 AM
    #27
    trajiiic

    trajiiic Well-Known Member

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    I mean, it's assumed since the Pro model is geared toward hardcore off road use. I don't have a reference if that's what you're asking for.
     
  8. Apr 30, 2019 at 9:12 AM
    #28
    DaveInDenver

    DaveInDenver Not Actually in Denver

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    Unexceptional
    I don't know either way and even if it really is designed for hard(er) use Toyota won't ever say so officially, what with someone coming back later finding even heavy duty skid plates have limits and expecting warranty to cover them.
     
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  9. Apr 30, 2019 at 9:13 AM
    #29
    trajiiic

    trajiiic Well-Known Member

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    Agreed.
     
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  10. Apr 30, 2019 at 9:16 AM
    #30
    dbbowen2

    dbbowen2 Former Rock Crawler.

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    They are not. They are a purely cosmetic upgrade. The Pro shares all of the "hardcore" off road features that the TRD OR has. The skid is cosmetic. The 1 inch lift is cosmetic (though the quality of shock is slightly better), the hood scoop is cosmetic, the grille is cosmetic. Everything after that is purely cosmetic like leather seats, sunroof, etc.


    The only things that matter on the Pro and Offroad are the Rear locker (important), and crawl control/multiterrain select (less important, and could do without).

    This is from a purely offroading standpoint. You take 3 or 4 big hits on that trd skid it will deform and crack.
     
  11. Apr 30, 2019 at 9:17 AM
    #31
    trajiiic

    trajiiic Well-Known Member

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    The reason I didn't get the TRD Pro skid is because it costs way to much for what it is and interferes with other skid plates. The RCI one I purchased usually costs more but I managed to get a good discount. I think the main reason folks buy TRD parts is because the OEM fit and finish, they're less likely to void a warranty, and the parts hold their value when compared to 3rd party.

    Next time I hit the trail and am unfortunate enough to hit my new skid plate I'll post a pic here.
     
  12. Apr 30, 2019 at 9:19 AM
    #32
    dbbowen2

    dbbowen2 Former Rock Crawler.

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    I just got a full steel RCI package from the front to the transfer case. Its against the law to void a warranty, but for peace of mind, im going to hold onto my old skids to toss back under the truck if anything ever comes up. I did the group buy and got 20% off, pretty nice... If it wasnt for that, I woulda gone with budbuilt just cause I used their stuff on my crawler.
     
  13. Apr 30, 2019 at 9:21 AM
    #33
    trajiiic

    trajiiic Well-Known Member

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    Agreed, definitely more of an appearance package than a real bonafide off-road upgrade package. I plan on getting the OEM Fox shocks when possible. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of aftermarket suspension setups on my DD.
     
  14. Apr 30, 2019 at 9:22 AM
    #34
    trajiiic

    trajiiic Well-Known Member

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    I was more referring to the engine/suspension TRD components. Not so much the leather stitched shift knob, lol.
     
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  15. Apr 30, 2019 at 9:25 AM
    #35
    dbbowen2

    dbbowen2 Former Rock Crawler.

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    Are you looking for a lift to fit larger tires or a better ride? The bilsteins on the OR ride better than the Fox shocks on the Pro for street driving, at least thats how it felt to me when i test drove.

    The pros dont come standard with the cai that I know of, at least the one I looked at didnt. It did have the cat back exhaust, but anything after the cat isnt doing any difference anyways. The suspension is marginally better, but if you are going to spend the money, why not go aftermarket? I was looking at a pro originally, but after I sat down and looked at them side by side, I ended up with a OR and going to make my own truck for less money than the pro.


    Dude also, everyone knows the shift knob adds like 25 HP!
     
  16. Apr 30, 2019 at 9:25 AM
    #36
    nvnv

    nvnv Stop geotagging

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    I have aluminum skids and they work fine for me. It all depends how you use your truck. If you’ll be doing technical trails with a lot of rock and you’re going to be dragging your shit through it then steel is the way to go. If you’re doing mild dirt roads with the occasional technical section where you might bump or drag a time or two aluminum will work fine.

    I’ve taken some big hits on mine and it has dented but so far no cracks or major damage.
     
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  17. Apr 30, 2019 at 9:26 AM
    #37
    dbbowen2

    dbbowen2 Former Rock Crawler.

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    ^This
     
  18. Apr 30, 2019 at 9:47 AM
    #38
    seelyartacus

    seelyartacus Well-Known Member

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    FNWheels six shooter matte bronze, Falken WildPeak M/T 295/70/r17, All-Pro Expedition leafs, Fox Factory 2.5 w/ res (front/rear), Icon billet UCA w/ sphericals, custom sliders, 4.56 re-gear, RCI bed rack , Tepui RTT, Prinsu Designs Cabrac, CBI T3 alum front bumper, CBI T3 rear bumper with dual swing away and tire carrier, 20in light bar, Warn VR10s winch, Factor 55 fairlead, flatlink, and hitch recovery point, All-pro alum skid, Rotopax, CMC, Timbren bump stops, rear Rigid Duallys, Rigid Dually ditch lights, ARB awning with LED lights, Currie F9 rear axle housing w/ Strange Engineering 3rd memb and ARB air locker., rear diff beather relocation, ARB compressor under hood, Bussman panel, 3d printed switch panel,OVTune ECU
    +1

    I have an alum CBI and put it into a concrete block wall. lost the wall, no issues with the bumper. I also have an alum skid, but steel tranny plate. I don't really have an explanation for why, but I have crunched the front skid more than a few times and there are some gouges but none of the peeling or hang ups that were a concern.
    Steel sliders and rear bumper. Alum can't handle the swing arms from what I'm told
     
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  19. Apr 30, 2019 at 10:10 AM
    #39
    trajiiic

    trajiiic Well-Known Member

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    The main reason is to counter the weight I've added (250 lbs), better reliability (I've seen that the OR shocks leak after hard use on forums and articles), and that it's designed by the manufacturer to work with the underpinnings and geometry if the Tacoma.

    I'm waiting to find a good used set but I'm in no rush. The OR shocks work great for now.
     
  20. Apr 30, 2019 at 10:12 AM
    #40
    BigWhiteTRD

    BigWhiteTRD Official thread killer (only crickets remain)

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    Ran first order comparison on it for yield strength, deformation at yield, and energy absorption at yield here. (Think this data should give a better view on how aluminum fares compared to mild steel for everything but puncture and gouge resistance)

    https://www.tacomaworld.com/posts/19053198/
     
    DaveInDenver likes this.

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