Finally! A Tacoma Flat Belly Kit

I've finally finished developing a product I've been really excited about for a while. The Tacoma Flat Belly Kit!

Any of you who get into the rocks at all know that one of the most frustrating parts of the tacoma is the super low hanging transmission crossmember that gets stuck on everything and forces your skids to be really low giving you terrible breakover angle. Lots of skid companies make an "exhaust reroute" option to get rid of the extra bump for the exhaust, but that's still not good enough.

I've come up with a full transmission crossmember relocation that tucks the crossmember up an additional 2.5" roughly, drastically improving breakover clearance. It re-uses the stock transmission mount, and still requires an exhaust relocation. The entire stock crossmember must be cut out. I did design this kit around the JD Fab lower pivot relocation kit, but it should work with any skid setup, though some modifications may be required.

I've done 3 prototype installs of this kit so far, 1 on a second gen, and 2 third gens. There will be lots of grinding and welding required for installation, and the kit ships as a "flat pack" kit, meaning it will need to be welded together.

Super pumped, and would love to hear what you think!

The kit is currently for sale as pre-order as either the crossmember only, or the full skid kit. These kits will be built to order, fully laser cut and bent.

 

Watching it work on Brian's Tacoma at Moab was pretty amazing how a few inches of clearance can gain big differences on the trail..

Ill get with Ian and Brittany and have them order one for me..he gets to do all the dirty work while installing it lol

 

It makes an insane difference. Plus this is just so much stronger

 

ive already been through one Trans Cross member...
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/monkeyproofs-misadventures.697489/page-2#post-24775148

 

I've seen that happen a couple times!

 

Cool have you gotten any interest in doing a 1/4” aluminum skid.

 

Could do that for sure, just figured this kit would mostly just get interest from hard core rock crawlers who wouldn't want aluminum for skids. But I could easily do aluminum, though you'd have to Tig the braces on

 

Thats cool and all but I have been offroad many times and the low hanging exhaust never caused me any issues.

I also think its there on purpose to warm up the transmission quicker. I could be completely wrong though. FWIW the exhaust routed same way on my 2015 Chevy express, right under the tranny.

 

If you come wheeling with us your exhaust will be squashed flat half way up the trail haha. Heat is the enemy of transmissions, there are heat shields between the exhaust and the trans to try and keep the heat away.

 

You guys must do some hardcore wheeling



Yes, actually that makes sense. So would they route it like that, I really dont get it.

 

looks good! i should've gone through the effort and did this back when i had a garage....
how much brake/fuel line/etc relocation is needed for this or does it stay "low" enough on the frame rail that it doesnt interfere?

 

None! I kept it low for that reason.

 

Nice.

I wonder if this will work with my Solid Offroad manual trans mount (I imagine it would, if it's compatible with stock, that the Solid Offroad replaces)

and if it will hopefully come with instructions on locating the position/mock up to weld on, for any general welder non-Tacoma person to be able to figure out

not sure if compatible with other skids or has to be changed to overlandoutfitters skid

currently running RCI trans skid with cat shields. Haven't gotten their flat tcase skid yet (exhaust reroute mod already done)

 

Anymore info or build on that Tacoma? I've been itching to flat belly my FJ for years and this is probably the best option I have seen that's stupid simple.

 

Any idea what generally has needed to be done to make other skids work with this setup? I am going to assume some bending, as well as probably cutting down the mounts as well.

 

That taco crushes. It did so much stuff in Moab that had huge built jeep guys shocked. It's a pretty simple build
JD pivot kit + flat belly kit
Bilstein 8112 front
King smoothie 14" rear with hammer hangers and deavers
ARB front and rear
35s
Sliders and bumpers

I haven't tried adding any other skids but they would take some heavy mods to work. Mine are tucked up pretty much as high as they can go

 

I took alot more interest in this today after seeing my bent transmission skid plate from dropping down a washway rock ledge. I laid it down over the edge too. The truck skid on past the remaining plates held in place by the crossmembers but the plates being flush with main frame rails would have been much better. I have my exhaust rerouted and flat skid however transfer case still hangs stock. The plates can't hold all the nose weight themselves.

 

Any interest in selling it as a fabricated setup?
(I recognize that I'd still have to cut & weld the crossmember myself but it would save time)

 

Yeah it's so easy to get high centered on skids like that! I've taken off so many mangled skids and then had to beat them with a hammer or drive on them with the forklift to get them to bolt back up haha

 

Definitely could!