3rd Gen Tranmission Skid Plate Compatibility with OEM TRD Pro IFS Skid

After some extensive research, I decided to upgrade my splash guards with a TRD Pro skid plate. I looked long and hard at other options for a IFS plate, and determined this was the prudent choice for me.

I am now in the market for transmission plate that will interface with the OEM plate. I know Pelfreybilt makes one. My only reservation in getting that plate is that I have to remove the braces over the cats, which will reduce the stiffness of the frame. That does improve clearance slightly, but only if you have rerouted the exhaust (which I have not). If the plate were to sit right on top of the braces, that would put it right at the lower level of the exhaust, and would minimize rocks from snagging the exhaust.

Is there anyone else that makes a plate that works with the OEM plate and doesn't require bracing to be removed from the vehicle?

 

I have the Pelfreybilt Pro mid and yes you are correct, you remove those braces. I'm 99% sure they are there to prevent theft, not so much for frame rigidity.

 

OP, did you find another mid skid that works with the TRD Pro skid plate? I wanted to go with that set up too, but it looks like Pelfreybilt is going under. Thanks.

 

CBI appears to have a rear skid plate (both transmission and transfer case) that would work with a pro oem plate. https://cbioffroadfab.com/product/3rd-gen-tacoma-rear-skid-plate/

I emailed CBI about it and didn't get a response, so I called them a week later. The guy on the other side of the phone wasn't 100% certain, but said he thought they had originally designed the rear skid to work with a pro IFS plate, and then developed their own front IFS plate later. As such, he was fairly certain it should work.

This option only works for the standard exhaust routing. So if you have done the reroute, you would have to either cut off the bump or live with it.

 

Thanks! Do you know if their rear skid plate lowers ground clearance? I appreciate it.

 

The bump for the exhaust probably does, not sure otherwise. It's been hard finding any info on these skids. I replied to the thread below from @koloheboy, but haven't gotten a response.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...t3-bumpers-thread.545346/page-2#post-18610311

 

Thanks! I think I am going to skip the Pro skid plate and just go with a set of skids from RCI. That way they will all work together for sure. They make aluminum ones too.

 

RCI makes good products. I'd go with them