advice on armor

For those that are regular overlanders, what are your thoughts on the minimal under vehicle armor?

I have sliders already, and while I don't plan to ever be a hardcore rock crawler that are many threads on TW involving some terrain where it seems good under vehicle armor is needed. However when looking at the various sites offering hardware, I could end up with some serious weight if I armored everything underneath.

For example, given that the gas tank is along side the rear wheel, is gas tank armor a "must", or a warm/fuzzy maker?

I really don't want flames for asking, but I look for the thoughts from those that have been there and done it, that might help me in making a decision.

Best regards!

 

I'm looking at eventually getting some BudBuilt skid plates. The 1/8 steel instead of the 3/16 steel is probably the better option. It's not my intention to bang up the underside and use a winch to drag myself over obstacles, but I've put a couple big dents in the factory skid plates and would like a little peace of mind. The 4 piece combo looks like a sweet deal.

 

IMO gas tank isnt 100% necessary, I havent had a gas tank skid under any of my rigs and I've run plenty of black diamond rated trails.
Aluminum would be a better option than 1/8" steel IMO. 1/4" aluminum would still be lighter than 1/8" steel, and I believe stronger as well.
Best armor would be a set of aluminum skids and a set of sliders if running offroad regularly though not extreme terrain

 

Trail toys has a hard plastic gas tank skid, if you want a lighter skid. I like the protection of steel for all of the other parts, though.

 

awesome responses, however I think what I'm interested in is what skids are "mandatory" and what are there to make me feel good?

@RelentlessFab - you have tons of awesome stuff on your site, I get hairy palms just keeping up. But IFS, t-case, mid, etc., - what are most likely to earn their additional weight?

 

Protect the drivetrain. Oil pan, transmission, transfer case.

Edit: just saw you are local! Where do you wheel? May help provide a better answer.

 

IFS at a minimum. T case skid can prove very important, as it's at the mid point of the truck. My mid has a few dings too, and I don't really consider myself an off-roader.

 

Came here to say go 1/4 aluminum instead of flimsy 1/8 steel.

Go sliders and at least an IFS and T-Case Skid. The gas tank isn't super necessary unless you are hitting rocks. Tacomas have decent clearance. 4Runners gas tanks hang super low so I'll be getting a steel one but it's not major for you. Plus, you can always fix a punctured gas tank with duct tape...

 

Most say: radiator, front suspension/differential, transfer case, and I'd say you're crazy to not bolt something up to the gas tank. At that point you're in for so much $ you might as well do the rear diff armor, too.

I'd say lower arm skid plates are probably meh.

 

If somebody is hitting their LCA on rocks with just light wheeling, they are doing it wrong haha.

 

I'd actually argue it's easier to hit that than many other things, especially for a novice: "I thought that'd go under the tire!"

I just don't see what a skid plate would do to protect the arm beyond it's powder coating.

 

I've seen an LCA snap. Not pretty. I'd rather get Total Chaos lowers though. I have skids right now but only as a mounting plate for my second shock.

 

Yeah it can happen. I'd think you're more likely to blow up a tire or crush body panels before that, not to mention the radiator is pretty soft and sitting up front... How fast was the truck moving when it whacked the OEM lower?

 

Slow but it slid off a rock and landed on it hard.

 

So, really, pretty fast . Not to mention it sounds like damage a 1/4" of aluminum wouldn't have prevented.

 

Nope!

 

All depends on the terrain. If the OP is uncertain if/what armor they need, seems unlikely they are bending or ripping off LCAs.

 

Haha yeah we have all the bases covered.
I'd say IFS skid is a must, T Case skid very helpful to also protect low hangingexhaust cross over. Sliders would be very high on my list also.
Transmission is a bit tucked, not as easy to hit as the area in front or behind (those are the skids I recommended) mainly the transmission skid gives continuity so there's less chance of hanging up on the rocks.
First time you actually hit a slider on a rock they paid for them selves a couple times over vs body damage repair, hence why sliders are also high on my list. LCA and rear diff are almost completely unnecessary, gas tank can be hit but certainly a bit more difficult than other portions of the truck

 

Your sliders saved my ass