4xinnovations Armor Tech Offroad Skid Plate Set Install

I finally got my full skids installed on Saturday and figured I'd write a few notes that I couldn't find online that helped with the install.

This is for my 2005 Tacoma 4x4. They are from Armor Tech Offroad, and I ordered the Full Skid Set from 4xinnovations. There are good instructions for the Front Skid, and my only real question came with the Transfer Case skid.

Tools: jack stand, 12, 14, 17mm ratchet and socket. 8mm and another smaller allen (I just matched one in the bag -- maybe 6mm). The invaluable Torque spec guide and torque wrench.

Step 0 -- Exhaust Re-route: the TC skid requires an exhaust re-route. I had this done months ago from a muffler shop because that kept kissing the rocks.

Step 1 -- Prep: clean and rattle can the armor. I used Rustoleum self-etching primer followed by the Truck Bed Coating spray. then cleanup the areas under the frame that's going to tie into the sliders

For each of these pieces, get your jack stand ready. I put some work gloves over the metal and centered the armor. Later, when ready, it's easy to just push up into position.

Step 2 -- Front Skid Install. I didn't hvae a rear factory skid so later I used the front skid bolts for the back of the new skid. Also, once you remove the 3 and 4 bolts from the frame braces those braces come off and aren't used again. You'll use 4 of those bolts. the small 12mm bolts in the rear are factory torqued to 22ft/lbs so I did the same here. My process was simple for 1 person:

1. use the jack to put the skid roughly in place
2. starting from the front, hand tighten the bolts working your way to the rear
3. tighten everything up
   1. 
4. crack your first (or 3rd) beer. -- first skid is in and you're already craving to hit some rocks lol.

Step 3 -- Rear Tranfer Case Skid Install: do this 2nd (or 1st) because the transmission skid bolts into this one. This is where I encountered my issue and I hope this page helps others. The skid attaches to the cross member, wrapping underneath and connecting to provided crossbar in the kit. My dumbass removed 2 bolts from one side and the cross member dropped about1/4" lol:


I quickly realized this wasn't a good idea, put the bolts back in, called it a night, and emailed 4x while thinking about options. The 'fix' was easy. One by one, remove a bolt, flip it 180 degrees so the nut is on the other side closer to the front. This is easy b/c the other 3 bolts are keeping everything lined up. I still had an issue because 1 bolt was bent (I've hit that crossbar too many times), but some good hits with the hammer and cleaning up the threads geot me going. This pic shows the bolts flipped and the skid ready to put into place.

1. flip the bolts one by one
2. put the newly provided rear cross member roughly in place
3. jack up the skid and hand tighten the bolts all the way around
4. The longest allen wrench bolt will be going vertically through the cross member holding the Transmission skid in place. I'd slide this into place and loosely hsnd tighten just to ensure proper alignment. washer, lock nut, nut.
5. for the provided rear cross member
   1. slide this into place and hand tighten the allen bolt into position.
   2. this is tightened using the (I think 3/8") 14mm bolt and the small provided rectangular still plate. Position that plate on the inside bottom of the frame rail and as you tighten the bolt from the top, it will push into that plate, rasing the bottom of the cross member up to the frame -- it shoiuld make sense when you're at this point.

Step 4 -- Transmission Skid Install: This one slides over the top of the lip of the front skid and connects to the Transfer case skid using the long bolts mentioned above.

1. Use the jack to position in place
2. hand tighten the stubby bolts to connect this trans skid to the front skid. washer, lock nut, nut
3. Remove the long bolts from 4 above, position this skid into place and hand tighten everything

At this point, everything should be in good shape. Cycle through each bolt and tighten it down and you're good to go.


Now we're ready for some rocks. Big thanks to Adam at 4x for VERY QUICKLY answering my questions.