Skid plate question

I’m on my 4th Tacoma. When my 2008 was crushed by a tree, I looked at the 3G and just liked the Gen 2 better. I bought a 2014 4WD 2 years ago. Just noticed it doesn’t have a skid plate in front. I use it in the woods quite a bit.
I know my other taco Gen 2 had one. Did any come without one? Or did I drop it in the woods someplace. Either way, I’m wondering how you find one. I see some aluminum ones on eBay. They got decent reviews, but wonder how well aluminum protects. Sorry for the long post. Any help appreciated.
Greg

 

The stock "skid plates" on 2nd gens aren't skid plates, they're splash guards. They're not capable of taking more than a trivial impact, if that.

See more discussion here:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2nd-gen-skid-plate.568490/#post-18715760

If you want actual underbody protection in that area you will need to go with some kind of aftermarket skid plate system. Here are a couple examples:

https://cbioffroadfab.com/product/2nd-gen-tacoma-skid-plates/
https://www.coastaloffroad.com/product-page/2nd-gen-tacoma-skid-plate-set/

On the topic of aluminum vs. steel:

As with bumpers, anything designed to take hits is going to be much more durable in steel than in aluminum.

You pay the weight penalty but steel is just a lot stronger & more resilient than Al.

A bare minimum for steel skid plates would be ARB's 3mm option (1/8" thick) which is designed to take ocasional small rock impacts at speed, but not for sliding the whole vehicle's weight over large rocks/bouldering.

The next steps up are 3/16" steel, and then 1/4" steel for the heaviest-duty bomb-proof skids.

A full set of 1/4" steel skids, like that offered by BAMF (Bay Area Metal Fab) weighs around 200 lbs.

 

I have a full set of All Pro 3/16" steel and the front one is large and heavy but saved the front diff etc many times as it still gets beat up and heavily scraped.
If in FL and going in mud it will hold the front end from getting sucked in.
Have a BudBuilt gas tank steel skid. These have all been on for 13 years now and have several coats of paint over the years.
If only for road crap a lighter Alum one would be fine.
Depends on where you plan to go with the Tacoma.

 

@RCI-Offroad makes good quality skid plates that measure 3/16" steel. I've beat the crap out of them at Windrock Park, and they have worked great. They offer 1/4" aluminum too, for little more cost

 

Thanks all for the input. I’m in FL, no rocks. But hunt in S GA with a lot of wet and some water. Have to ford some deep water on the way into my lease. Maybe I just need the splash guard that seems to be missing. Or one of the aluminum light duty aftermarket ones. Do they need to be put on over the splash guard or can they be put on alone ?

 

All the after-market skid plates I've ever seen go on by themselves, not over the stock splash guards.

If you are going to be fording significant amts of water you have a whole slew of other more pressing concerns than metal splash guards.

How deep? If it's up to the hubs of your wheels, generally no problem, but look into doing a rear differential breather relocation.

If it's up to the top of the wheels (or higher) you should seriously consider whether you need a proper snorkel. (Air intake for the engine is basically at the top of the passenger wheel well.) Also, at that depth of water, if you're pushing through more than 1 vehicle length or so you may also want to consider a "bra" for the front grille to prevent water from interfering too much with the radiator fan spinning.

 

I'd be more worried about sticks hiding in the grass and stabbing my belt than than having boulder protection that you'll probably never need. Or sending a branch through the radiator while backing up. I bet the factory plates will protect you just fine.

 

Thanks. But my factory plate is missing. No idea if it was ever there. Bought the truck 2 years ago from a Toyota dealer in KC. Just noticed it the other day. May have dumped it in the hunt lease.
But I agree, I don’t need rock protection

 

Thanks. Mostly the water is at or a little over hub depth, but occasionally after heavy rains it gets deeper. Hard sand bottom mostly, though I get in some mud in the smaller trails.
Don’t think I need a snorkel. Will use my ATV if it gets that deep.
Thanks for your input.

 

Flawda represent.

just depends on you OP, you can buy a stock replacement splash guard, there is the TRD aluminum skid as an OEM option (3rd gen is compatible with 2nd gen).. these are also relatively available on marketplace/craigslist if you’re patient.
considering you actually off-road, I think if you’re seeking legitimate protection and you’re on the fence, I’d probably go with steel.

if you think you’ll have virtually 0 impacts, then aluminum would be okay. Florida is not rocky so… aluminum is a reasonable compromise considering it’s less weight. if you do find your in uneven rocky terrain, or driving off-road at speed I’d really start looking at steel.

 

3rd Gen Skid plate on 2nd Gen
I can confirm it bolts right on with no issues, mods, cutting, etc.

Mates perfectly with my cat shield.

and if you are wondering how much weight it can hold? Apparently the entire truck. No damage but the skid plate and cat shield.

 

Ahh so that 3rd gen one also covers the oil drain bolt.. nice.. I have the prior version TRD skid plate that stops short of the oil pan area.

 

No it does not.
The 3rd Gen pan and 2nd Gen pan are in the same place.
So the service hole to access the oil drain bolt is still functional.

no need to drop the entire skid plate.

 

Ah you are right. So what is that small panel in the middle of the skid held up by 4 bolts?

 

That is the oil filter access hatch.
Only applicable for the 3rd Gen.