Who Has Removed Their Front Valance and Added a TRD Skid Plate?

Hi fellow Taco fans. I'm considering removing the front valance on my 21 TRD Sport and then adding the TRD Pro skid plate, front tow hook mounting brackets, and 3/4 inch D ring shackles. My truck is a 4x2 so I don't do any serious off-roading. The change would be mainly for appearance, with the side benefit of having extra protection from road debris and a couple of extra points to be pulled from should the need ever arise. Has anyone done anything similar, and if so, where you happy with the result? Thanks!

 

It was a really slow process. The chinstrap was gone about a day after I bought the Taco, and then I got a TRD skid about 3yrs later.

Yes. I am really happy as there were some scuffs on the stock tin can and since the skid has taken some good whacks. Being aluminum, it is light, so there is no real effect on the suspension.

I did paint it black because the gray color is just not me.

 

Yes, and I've been happy with it. I painted mine black, because as Tony said, "the gray color is just not me."

 

1 hour after truck delivery, and 2 weeks later the Pro Skid was on.

 

Is the skid plate grey? In the pictures I've seen it looks white. If it's grey I wouldn't mind, would probably look ok on an MGM truck.

 

I bought the TRD Skid Plate for looks...you can't even see it. I had it raptor lined and then got paint matching TRD letters and everything. I spent a little over $600 on the entire thing and you can't see it.

**Edit**

I also have a lift and you still can't see it. I just went outside to take this picture to illustrate my point.



And this is what the skid looks like



This was a $600+ swing and a miss for me. But you do need to take that chin strap off asap.

 

I see what you mean. Appreciate the pictures. Whoever did the skid plate for you did a really nice job!

I wonder if it would be any more visible in the original color. It does make the front look nice and clean though, so I don't think it was a total miss for you.

 

I think it does stick out a bit more in the original color, but I spent a lot of time and money dechroming my entire truck inside and out. So I didn't want anything that was chrome/silverish/white in color showing.

 

Yes. The stock color is much more visible, which was my reason for painting it.

 

Definitely visible. I considered painting mine and still may, but it really doesn't bother me.

 

I pulled the air dam off of my now gone 2018 Sport and added a TRD Skid plate. I liked it and saw zero performance effect. My off roading has been only dirt roads and fields mostly getting to hunting and fishing spots so the worst the skid plate has seen is grass rubbing on it and the occasional dirt clod at low speed.

FWIW, I took it off along with a TRD exhaust and TRD CAI when I traded that truck in on my current 2019 Off Road as the dealer would not consider these upgrades in the trade in price. They now live happily on my OFF Road.

 

Thanks for the pic. That's a big help since my truck is MGM also and you have the D rings like I'm planning to do. Question - what color are your D rings, black or did you paint them MGM to match?

 

not myself because I don't off road and I prefer that presumed better MPG

 

Black with black rubber covers.

 

I had the Pro skid plate thrown in when I bought it so it was installed on day 2 lol.

 

I'm 4x2 also and heading out toward dirt roads, nothing serious, but I also think that chin strap has to go. I seriously need to stop reading this forum and just go ahead and spend all the money now.

 

Yea this place is dangerous. 90% of the stuff on my truck is due to reading it here lol

I see we are in the same neck of the woods....an hour and 45 min north of you in Port St. Lucie

 

Do it! Do it! Do it!

 

Definitely visible.. if your truck is on ramps and you crouch to hood height lol. Don't get me wrong, it looks good when you can see it, but you sure can't see it from where I'm at (6'2" tall).