Hefty Fabworks vs. RCI Skid Plates?

I've narrowed down my choices for skid plates to two options:

https://heftyfab.com/products/tacoma-full-skid-package-aluminum?variant=40996594122906

or

https://rcimetalworks.com/product/0...ust-re-route=vehicle-has-stock-exhaust-system

I'm decided on aluminum over steel. This truck gets a lot of mixed use between daily driving and off road so I'm choosing to be a weight weenie. I don't plan on doing any hardcore wheeling anytime soon, but many of the "forest roads" I get into up in the mountains can get rugged enough that I want some extra protection for the sensy bits in case I make a mistake.

I see a lot of reviews on RCI on here. People seem to like them, their lead times are relatively short, and they're inexpensive. After some considerable searching I just don't see a lot of info on Heftyfab. Their skids look well built and I really like the look of their product, but their lead times are much longer than RCI and are more expensive. I'm just not 100% sure I want to commit to that when I can't seem to find a lot of firsthand experience with them.

Has anyone every worked with Heftyfab before? What kind of wisdom can TW offer on one or the other?

 

I’m in the same boat. I’ve never heard of hefty fab before but they seem pretty stout. Price is a little high for raw aluminum with “grinding+machining marks” imo even though it is a skid plate meant to get used. Rci is a solid choice too but aluminum must be getting more expensive by the day…I’ve even considered the knockoff on Amazon for half the cost but….

 

Just know that if you go aluminum, it will not be as durable as steel. Now aluminum does have its places. I use 6061 when I build two-piece cylinder heads. I would not use steel.

But for protection of the oil pans, I’d go steel.

 

Yeah I just have a hard time justifying close to $1500 for the HeftyFab ones, even if they do look like they're really well reinforced. I'm leaning heavily towards RCI for the value, especially since their tax sale is going on right now. Aluminum is definitely getting more expensive though.

 

Thanks for the input. I definitely considered that in my decision. I know that aluminum won't hold up to serious abuse but for my needs it should be fine. What I may end up doing is going with steel for the engine skid and aluminum for the rest of the underbody.

 

I almost went aluminum also for the gas tank skid, but in the end opted with steel from Victory 4x4. I recently looked at the tank and it has absolutely no marks or scratches. But thought about longevity as opposed to weight savings.

Btw, I have the RCI front skid and love it.

 

Go with RCI and get the cat converter protectors. I think Rci may even have a buy skid package and get the car covers for free. Mine are steel, have taken a few hits and protected the truck with no damage other than minor scrapes to the powdercoat.

 

Ive bashed my RCI skids a few times and they did their job but im not full on rock crawling. I was able to unbend them with a press later but I did a 2 days of a 3 day trip with them bent, did their job and protected the transmission. Im going to add a few cross pieces to reinforce the transmission skid and it looks like they were originally designed to have the reinforcement.

I do like how the hefty one has reinforcement but Ive never heard of the company before.

For moderate off road exploring it works great. If you are a hardcore guy scraping frames and denting body panels I would go steel. For how I offroad im happy with the RCI aluminum and glad to save weight where I can.

 

I'd go RCI, but they are local to me soo I can't say anything about your other choice.

I went by rci today to pick up a set of sliders for my wifes 4runner. Same drill...

Amazing customer service and authentic solid parts. Built right here in Colorado!... they have two guys at sales (evin and tim) they have build amazing trucks that will talk you through any questions you have.. literally they just love trucks.