Skid plate and Sliders Question

Hey Everyone,

Just picked up a '23 DCLB OR and am looking at getting some skid plates and sliders. RCI is doing a decent sale currently and I was wondering what you all have found to be most helpful. Was thinking about getting the Aluminium skid plates and powder coating later.. Should I do the full kit? I'm not huge into off roading, but will be taking it up some harder trails for hunting and fishing access. I figured the sliders at a 20 degree with the step plates.

Let me know what you think or if there is anything better out there!

Thanks

 

Nevermind. I figured out how to search the website better.

 

Powdercoating aluminum skids is a waste of money... that's the beauty of aluminum.

 

This makes sense. Anything else I should buy? (within reason)

 

Really, a good set of tires is all the truck "needs". Skids and sliders are great for "oh shit" moments. If you're going 20° sliders (which tuck nice and tight to the body) I'd skip the fill plates. Your feet will never touch them. Just put grip tape on the outer tube, for traction.

Aside from that? Recovery gear. Hitch recovery point, snatch strap, soft shackles, and Maxtrax. People might say the Maxtrax are a gimmick, but they're my most used recovery gear and my first go to option for a stuck truck.

See my signature for discounted shackles and a good (not cheap) snatch rope.

I have a couple of these...

Aluminum Receiver Mount for Soft Shackle

$81 Overland Vehicle Systems Aluminum Receiver Hitch Mount for use with Soft Shackles - T6 6061 Aircraft Grade Aluminum - Glossy Black Powder Coated Finish

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KY7YJPD

 

I use my truck similarly to what you have described. Fishing/hunting trips. Not overlanding or rock crawling. I have the factory TRD skid. I personally don’t “need” sliders, but like the looks. My advice is to get what you think looks best. CaliRaised look good to me.

 

Some people carry this because it makes their truck easier to recover even if someone else has the winch: https://www.factor55.com/p-hitchlink-pro-2-0-00029-06

Taking steps to make your truck safer to recover is wise because not everyone who stops to help actually knows more than you.

I have an RCI engine skid and transmission skid, and their CAT guards which bolt to the transmission skid ... both steel powdercoat. You may not want 100 lbs of steel plate on your truck belly, though. Little else, and even that is probably a little bit overkill. You decide for yourself.

 

Great addition... our cats are very easy to steal.

 

All that makes sense! Thanks for the beta on skipping the fill plates. That makes sense too. Sweet! More things to get the card out for!

 

I have cat shields as well.

 

This website will quickly drain your wallet. It's fun, but proceed cautiously.

FYI, these are the 20° BAMF sliders on my truck.

 

I originally bought the OEM cat guard, but didnt realize how expensive it was in comparison to other options. Cat guards are currently free with the transmission plate from RCI. I'm going to return the OEM and just buy those I think

 

RCI, CaliRaised, Miller?

 

I originally bought the Miller cats and didn’t install…..still new in box sitting in the garage. I now have the CaliRaised. Like how it installs and doesn’t impede servicing the transmission.

 

Off topic - but what front stealth bumper do you have? And does it interfere with your Toyota Safety Sense?

(I love the look...)

 

SSO (Southern Style Offroad) slimline. Warning, they were recently bought by another company and are at risk of not fulfilling orders.

My truck is a 2017, so no TSS. I believe some people have installed this bumper on 2018's and later with no issue.

Edit: there are some alternative brands that look similar. Body Armor, Caliraised, CBI, etc.

https://www.extremeterrain.com/body...4dFpCOSEVu3EWK1OSJoaAiifEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://caliraisedled.com/products/...lr6NerZX63HQo0wNxFIPtNzFhrEvscyUaAhj3EALw_wcB

https://reconrecovery.com/products/..._gBY5HIGajQWd4AWWvEvFcSzk_PRi2RsaAlLzEALw_wcB

 

I have full RCI aluminum skids with cat guards. I also don't rock crawl, but I've hit some gnarly washouts on forest roads and I've banged the underbody on trucks a few times.

RCI is one of the few companies that does a full skid through the transfer case in aluminum. Fits my needs as insurance without impacting my gas bill noticeably. Sounds like you're in a similar position.

Greenlane Offroad makes a very similar option in Aluminum.

 

Our uses are very similiar I personally have made it 3 years without even coming close to requiring sliders. They are still on the list to pick up for piece of mind. However I have a greenlane low pro bumper with a winch and that has been a very good investment . Tough to justify cutting up a brand new bumper but being self sufficient in remote areas is a key thing for me.
I would also recommend checking out ok x for aluminum skid options.

 

I just sold a RCI steel engine skid plate. I bought it mainly as an upgrade to the stock OR ‘splash guards’ and upon delivery realized it was serious overkill for the way I use my truck. Ended up with the TRD Pro skid. Just saying. As mentioned above, skids and sliders adds mucho weight, esp if they’re steel.

 

while I can’t answer the questions specific to the other truck, I can help a little bit. Most people aim for 17” wheels because there are a lot more tire options with that size wheel. Specifically, more light tires. Lighter tires are totally fine for these trucks and are actually better unless you really are pushing the capabilities of the truck.

265/75R17 or 265/70R17 are 31”
275/70R17 are 32” tires
285s are typically 33” tires.

the first number is the width of the tire, second number is the height of the sidewall as a percentage of the width, and the R number is the wheel size.