RCI Skid Plates any good?

THE LOGISTICS WITH MY JOB, 2 YEAR OLD, HOUND DOG, oops no caps, and my fiance full time its more about logistics and getting to work vs $$

i knew id be hitting that part of the skids but just 'sent it'
and immediately hit that skid each time i went out with it haha
but now i got the lift installed so prob okay on that trail section

 

Which 3rd gen skid plate lets you keep the braces up front? RCI, CBI, C4, Caliraises, etc all require you take it off. Pretty much every skid plate reuses those oem bolts and the skid plate bolts into where those braces were before, arguably much stronger than before (if you’re using steel at least).

 

The TRD skid plate keeps the front braces. It wouldn't be hard for the aftermarket to copy/improve on the design, such as making it integrate with their other skid plates. I think the TRD skid plate doesn't make optimal use of the space to maximize clearance (or maybe it's because mine is sitting on top of my RCI transmission skid?). It might be possible to design one that tucks up a bit higher.

Maybe a steel one is stronger, but I've read at least a couple reports of people bending their aluminum aftermarket skid plates bad enough to also move the lower radiator support.

 

I had to take those braces off when I installed the TRD Pro skid or else it wouldn't mount properly. I eventually sold that skid and have a set of aluminum RCI skids. Still no braces.

 

I think they are decent on my 2019. They don't have much internal bracing so mine have bent. I personally wish they didn't include the oil drain door. Just makes it weaker and I always just take the full skid off when doing oil changes. If you wheel hard, there are stronger options but they should be enough for most.