Skid Plates??

Looking to install some skid plates on my '17 Taco... Any suggestions? Looking to get as much under protection as possible including the transfer case..

 

I have a 17 and have been looking at these. Have to get tires first though. Other things to spend money on. They got a gang of shift just for trucks like ours. http://www.rcimetalworks.com/2016-Tacoma_c34.htm

 

Brand really doesn't matter a lot for skid plates. Just make sure it's either 3/16 inch steel or 1/4 aluminum. It's really just a large plate of metal.

Having said that I really like SOS Concepts, AllPro OffRoad, & CBI OffRoad. Owning a 2013 I can't really comment on RCI as I have yet to see or use their products, but generally a skid plate is really something that is hard to mess up.

 

Look at each vendor's install guides and pictures. The transfer case area is especially varied amongst the different vendors. Do you plan to reroute the crossover pipe to gain an extra inch of ground clearance (costs $200-300 at an exhaust shop)? Make sure the skid can take advantage of it. Transfer case skid typically comes with its own crossmember. The crossmember's footpads for bolting to the frame may conflict with sliders from a different vendor, etc.

 

Would I be able to reroute the crossover pipe on a '17? Which section would be the most vulnerable so that I could buy a skid plate for? I'd like to eventually cover the entire underbelly of the car. Just wanna know how to prioritize the best I can

 

Start at the front and work back. Engine, transmission, t-case, etc...

 

Crossover pipe reroute on 2016+ is similar to 2005-2015. The shop would cut off the existing Y-pipe, fabricate new tubing routed behind the transfer case, and use a pre-fab 2-to-1 collector going into the tailpipe.





IMO the transfer case and fuel tank are the most vulnerable, because they are not well protected by the frame. Damaging either on the trail will leave you stranded.

Note you typically can't mix-and-match skids from different vendors, because the interconnections are not compatible. e.g. You won't be able to install an All-Pro front skid and later decide to install a Relentless transmission skid, because the holes won't line up. Once you buy a front piece, you are locked in to that vendor for the whole set. So plan for it holistically. The skids will add a couple hundreds pounds of weight and cause the truck to sit lower, esp. in the front. If you plan to install a suspension lift, it's best to have the whole skid set installed first, so you can adjust coilovers or spacer thickness correctly to level out the truck.

Keep in mind you need to remove the transmission skid and transfer case skid every 10,000 miles / 12 mo. to grease the driveshaft U-joints.

 

Sounds pretty good... I'll be installing spacers and shocks... Will I still need any suspension work done?

 

I run allpro ifs, relentless transmission and allpro transfer case skids. Nothing a drill and some muscle can't fix

 

^Of course, with enough elbow grease you can even make your own skids, but that's extra work. Drilling 3/16" or 1/4" steel is not fun either.

 

'MURICAAAAAAA