Skid Plates Necessity Questions/Opinions

Hi everybody, I have a question on skid plates and wanted to get some opinions.


First off, I have a 2013 TX Baja Access Cab. I don't want to add a lot of extra weight and spend money I don't have to, but at the same time I am in love with my truck, and plan to drive it as long as I possibly can, so I want to protect my investment. I just don't know how much protection my trans, gas tank, etc. really need for what I use my truck for.

Living in NC, I do very light offroading if any. I don't plan on ever climbing any rocks, just a lot of camping/hiking trails, occasional sand/beach environment.

When I first bought the truck I welded sliders with kickouts to the frame. Next I want to add avid front and rear bars (love the look and the protection is enough for me).

So I'm torn between getting a Matt123 (Bullet Proof Fab) skid and calling it a day, or waiting a little longer and do full skids (Probably go with Pelfreybilt) the first time.


So if it were you, based on my wants and needs I posted what would you do?

Thanks!

 

Agree with ^^^ if you aren't going to offroad just get the front, if you might do a little bit with rocks throw in the mid to be safe. If both are only going to be minor though, you can even get away with the aluminum skids from Pelfrey to save more weight.

 

I would look at aluminum skids. Specifically just an aluminum IFS skid. That should be more than sufficient

 

For your described usage - I wouldn't bother with any skids and would save my money.

 

Thanks for all the help and opinions!


Think I'm going with a Pelfrey IFS steel skid just for the peace of mind up front, and calling it a day. If I ever add more (highly doubt) I'd do the rest aluminum.


thanks!

 

That IFS plate is roughly 70# in weight.

 

so is that too much weight on the 650lb springs that are on the Baja?

granted up front I only plan on doing avid bar and front skid.


hmm maybe go with aluminum now. Still better than stock and probably all I'll need

 

Hi Mikey,
I have a 4wd, DCLB, and do a fair amount of offroad travel in Baja, around the SCORE races.
I installed a silver TRD skid plate on top of the stock, thin black plate, and installed the mid-plate just in back of, and attached to it.
I've bounced off some stuff and rattled thru deep beach cobble rock with no problems.
I can see scratches and minor grooves on both plates, but nothing to hurt.
If I were going to do some serious rock climbing, and running on really rough mountain trails, I'd probably upgrade. But with the long wheelbase, that's not a really good application for this truck anyway.
Good luck.

 

dido

 

I thought so. Thanks

Thanks a lot for the info. Appreciate it.

 

Weight is the enemy. If you're gonna do it, again for your described usage, go aluminum.

Aluminum doesn't hold up to repeated and prolonged dragging across rocks.

But it'll protect you just great against that weird unexpected bash.

 

I didn't see or feel any difference when I had on just the Pelfrey IFS plate on my stock TX Baja.

However, after adding on their mid skid plate, transmission plate, aluminum plate bumper and a winch up front, it started to get front heavy. Truck would nose dive during braking, and i lost about half an inch in the front. I swapped the front springs to Eibach 700# and now all is good again

If you're not wheeling often, then aluminum is a better choice.

 

If you're looking for a gas tank skid, SMKYTXN designed a non-metal one.

His design works for all 2nd gen tacomas, except for single cab.

Check it out.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/group-buys/365312-trail-toys-uhmw-gas-tank-skid.html

http://www.trailtoys.net/uhmw-gas-tank-skid.html