Post-Full Skid Plate Installation

on Saturday we installed a full set of skid plates. The thing I've been noticing is the LOUDNESS of the engine and pronounced rattling beneath the truck.

Is this common?

Is it common that there is more noise coming from the skid plates?

I suppose i am mostly surprised by the sounds as this wasn't occurring before. Is it because we removed 2 sets of braces under the truck?

Could that be why its rattling?

And if yes. Is there a way to prevent this additional rattle if its not supposed to be doing that?

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

 

I'm not gonna lie, those look like they are made of relatively thin material for a skid set. What brand and thickness of metal?

I'm asking only because there is a chance that they're getting all wobbly and vibrate-y under their own weight if they are thin and don't have reninforcements.

 

My RCI skids do not make noise. The engine sound didn't change, but I had the factory skid under engine already so there was no acoustical change. When I get serious offroad and the t-case skid get's packed with mud then the cross-pipe is jammed against the skid causing a vibration sound that is easily fixed with a pressure washer. But my skids are 1/4" thick, gusseted aluminum bolted on solidly. Those look like they are the same thickness as a body panel.

 

10 gauge steel.

Underside of front skid.

 

Steel skids need to be at least 3/16" thick ideally 1/4". 10 gauge is 9/64" - WAAAYYY too thin.

 

Those are thin skids. Probably why you have a vibration. Who makes those?

 

Yeah, I'm going to guess that they are getting really wobbly and creating noise that way. You can always reinforce them if you or a friend can weld.

 

Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible to remove the flex/wobble from that steel. Typically, steel near 1/8 inch has incredible flexibility but less strength. For example, I can take a piece of 1/8 inch flat stock, 18 inches long and bend it into a mild arc in my hands. 1/8 inch is 0.125". This sheet is 0.14", which will be a hair stiffer, but I am sure I can do the same. I can take a piece of 3/16" flat stock of the same length and it will not bend in my hands. The only way to get rid of the vibration is to reduce the effective length of the thin stock by welding thicker flat stock to it in several areas. And reinforcing the bolt flange area.

To give you a better idea, machetes are typically anywhere from 0.1" to 0.12" thick. And they bend easily

 

In OPs defense though, they look like decent skids aside from material thickness. Most people won't be dropping their undercarriage 10" onto a boulder and they really just want a bit more piece of mind for those "whoopsie" moments.

The skids would definitely stiffen up with some proper rib reinforcements though.

 

I am certainly not ragging on the skid. It is thick enough to protect the truck for sure, but it will get banged up quicker. Still, if it was a lot less, it may be worth it, when you consider weight. But the noise is quite likely coming from the vibrations in that plate.

 

One other question. You stated you removed two sets of braces? was this a permanent removal and could the noise be from lose parts in that area.

 

my old skids would creak and rattle after going offroading due to debris and dust etc getting stuck between all the connecting points. I'd take them off, wash em, put em back nice and tight and all sounds would disappear. never had any additional engine noise thougj

 

1/4" steel is the way to go, you'll never have to buy another set.

 

there are a couple braces that need to come off in the front for aftermarket skids to be mounted flush

 

Appreciate all of the comments above.

Brand: Danger Customs 4x4
Thickness: 10 to 8 Gauge bare steel
Finished: Black rust rattle can paint
Price: $650 CAD ($500 USD)

The braces removed were per this video watched about installing a full skid plate set.
PreviewPreview12:012005-2020 Tacoma RCI Full Skid Package InstallYouTube · Stage 3 MotorsportsApr. 21, 2020

Then we installed per those instructions and some assistance from the Owner at the custom 4x4 shop.

Since posting, we've been doing some investigations of our own to understand where exactly the "noise and rattle" below are coming from ???

We've been searching the Internet for related cases and haven't found anything yet. Nor have I come across this issue here on Tacoma World. Or it simply could be I'm not searching the correct part/issue?

On Sunday, a couple other Tacoma owners and I did some trial tests to see if we could determine the root-cause of this mystery sound. Upon returning from a short drive they climbed beneath the truck and located those specific pipes taking pictures to show me as I was still seated.

As it turns out, the "rattle is from two small pipes which are rubbing/knocking together." And the real fun, is this only occurs when the truck is in either Drive or Reverse. It does not occur when the truck is in Park or Neutral.

I'm going to suppose that these pipes knocked together before the skid plates were installed. And now the sound is amplified as its reverberating off the skid plate and sending the sound back into the cab.

If anyone has any suggestions on a shim, or other solution to stop the noise, it would be greatly appreciated.

cheers

 

Those are exhaust hangers and are welded together and then welded to the exhaust pipe. They are not rattling against each other unless the welds have broken.

 

well then... back to the listening board we will go. Thanks for the feedback.

 

Simple to put a new rubber muffler hanger on there and slightly bent the 2 welded on hanger pipes apart and see if that fixes it.
Also make sure the trans and engine mounts are intact restricting alot of movement. Don't forget to check the cat heat shield under the drivers seat as it often rattles from broken clamp and 2 bolt mounts.

 

So these are RCI skids?

Funny, after watching that video, I noticed that they call those braces, brackets. I gotta tell you I am having heartburn with the fact that they want those "brackets" removed. Even more so than the rattle you are getting. Thanks for the info. I will not be buying any skid that makes me remove factory braces/brackets without replacing them. PERIOD. Good luck with your issue.