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Skid plates, hype or not?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Bryan139, Mar 18, 2009.

  1. Mar 18, 2009 at 1:39 PM
    #1
    Bryan139

    Bryan139 [OP] I have a spectacular aura

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    I cut some wires here. Added some wires there.
    What is everybody's take on skid plates? I've heard a lot of guys into offroading say they're just added weight. If your 4000# truck slips in a rut and comes down on an 1000# rock sticking out of the ground it's going to just crease and push the skid plate up into the guts of the truck and you're beat anyway. Opinions?
     
  2. Mar 18, 2009 at 1:43 PM
    #2
    gdctaco

    gdctaco Well-Known Member

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    ya but would you rather have that 1000# rock slide off your skid plate or off your oil pan?
     
  3. Mar 18, 2009 at 1:55 PM
    #3
    DanGer

    DanGer Avatar approved by 98tacomav6

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    More about absorbing some of the impact instead of making your truck invulnerable
     
  4. Mar 18, 2009 at 2:04 PM
    #4
    luni

    luni Resident Gun-toting Hippie

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    Funny I had that exact same scenario. My 4500lbs truck came off a ledge and hit a 1000+lbs slab of rock. It landed on the skid plate and I didn't know I drove home like nothing happened. I found out 2 days later after I cleaned up and was doing a damage check.

    Without the skid it would have ripped out my transfer case and exhaust.

    Get skids.
     
  5. Mar 18, 2009 at 2:04 PM
    #5
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    X2.

    The skid plate I made for my fuel tank directs the impact away from the tank and to the frame of the truck. Skid plates are designed to take the hit, so something less fragile doesnt have to. 1 hole in an oil pan/tranny/fuel tank can make for a LONG day off roading.......
     
  6. Mar 18, 2009 at 2:15 PM
    #6
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    X2.
     
  7. Mar 18, 2009 at 2:20 PM
    #7
    RelentlessFab

    RelentlessFab Eric @Relentless Fab Vendor

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    Skids are invaluable. They help direct impact away from the relatively fragile and expensive parts under your truck so that you don't end up having a bad day off road. Also, as a Skid plate, they will help you slide and glide over objects higher than the ground clearance of your truck rather than getting you hung up on things like the cross members. If I had the money, skids would be right up on my list of stuff to add to my truck.
     
  8. Mar 18, 2009 at 2:23 PM
    #8
    mjp2

    mjp2 Living vicariously through myself Moderator

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    Skids + rock sliders if you're gonna take your truck offroad. The protection is WELL worth the added weight.
     
  9. Mar 18, 2009 at 2:28 PM
    #9
    mjp2

    mjp2 Living vicariously through myself Moderator

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    I see you're from NJ. Rausch Creek in PA is the best skidplate sales pitch in our area. 1 trip down a trail will convince you of their worth.

    With skids I was able to follow the Jeep through this:
    th_MVI_0373_7cf1a6a83189ed341e82bdc07130a6a981817956.jpg

    Without skids and sliders I'd have left my transfer case and driveshaft in that pit and my rockers would have been pushed into the doors.
     
  10. Mar 18, 2009 at 2:40 PM
    #10
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Jeezus!! Who pushed ya???
     
  11. Mar 18, 2009 at 2:42 PM
    #11
    Khaos

    Khaos Big Member

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    I'd rather have more protection on my truck than I need than not have any when I need it.

    After suspension first thing I'm doing is skids and sliders.
     
  12. Mar 18, 2009 at 2:57 PM
    #12
    mjp2

    mjp2 Living vicariously through myself Moderator

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    The Jeep had a winch. ;)

    Actually made it through with only the help of a spotter. Banged the hell out of the truck and bent my driveshaft skid something fierce, but I pulled out ok. :)

    (And Chris, the blank was from me. I fat-fingered the keyboard.)
     
  13. Mar 18, 2009 at 3:15 PM
    #13
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    LMAO!!! I do that often! Thanks! :)
     
  14. Apr 12, 2009 at 12:12 PM
    #14
    BenJammn5

    BenJammn5 RN

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    word; I just completely destroyed my cheap tin can skids under my truck blazing a trail and hitting a rock. It hit hard "BAM" with a little 'ting' sound in there but it glided right over. My alignment is now off, but I'm sure it saved me not to mention if I was 2.5" lower to the ground I would have really ate it.
     
  15. Jan 20, 2010 at 10:06 PM
    #15
    Plannerman99

    Plannerman99 Well-Known Member

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    Skid plates aren't hype. Even the crappy factory ones saved me hitting a pointing bowling ball sized rock at speed, as well as debris on the freeway.

    Now its and entirely different question to consider whether or not to upgrade the tin the factory bolts on.
     
  16. Jan 20, 2010 at 10:24 PM
    #16
    Janster

    Janster Old & Forgetful

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    Not on my tacoma...but I had skid plates all over the frigin place on my Jeep.

    Engine/oil pan skid, gas tank skid, rocker guards, front & rear bumpers....you name it. And those skids were used HARD. They shouldn't be called 'skid plates' - but more like BASH PANS or BASH protection.

    You land on a rock pretty damn hard and WHAM!! But you know...you landed on the skid plate. You can rest and keep wheelin.

    Skid plates aren't all created equal. There are LAME ones out there that don't do anything but waste your money. If you get skid plates, make damn sure its a heavy duty one and it'll cost you more but WELL worth it.
     

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