Aftermarket skid plate reviews

Yes, go ahead and buy the suspension that will support your future mods. The ride really isn't that bad, and don't forget to ditch the swaybar while you're at it.

 

X2 I went ahead and went with ome heaviest coils ran them for 2 months before throwing on a steel plate bumper. Ride wasn't all too bad. There was only a slight difference after adding the bumper.

 

Great thread thanks for all the reseqrch and info! I will be back as I decide what to do next. I think my suspension will be last and my skids will be first... Maybe a bumper and winch in the middle Not sure if that is agood order or not... Thoughts? So far I think my bumber will likey be Us Off Roads, I havent decided on the whinch or armor yet.

 

sub'd

 

Great thread! I'd like to see some real world feedback on the aluminum skids.. how they've been holding up etc.. Thanks!

 

Go over to 'Door ding' build thread. He has aluminum skids

 

Did, nice build.. but not much post install info.

So I wonder how much grinding you can do on the alum plates (grinding on the rocks that is) before they turn to powder. I assume they don't slide as well as steel either.

 

How is 20913 posts possible? Do you have a life beyond TW?

 

He's a post whore

 

Sounds like you want steel then. It's a compromise. If you're really worried about weight Im not gonna lie they suck. My gas mileage is terrible and I don't even have my front bumper yet. Just skids, sliders, and the rear/tire. The skid plates made a huge difference! But they're sturdy as hell and worth it

 

Thanks DoorDing, that's good info. I used to have an ol' '85 w/BB xmember and skid, steel. The new ride is going to be a bit different than my old trail rig and the light weight is very appealing to me. In all honesty, I'm looking more for puncture resistance than anything so the 1/8" steel option may be.. an option.

Yeah I know it's gonna be a compromise just trying to figure out how much of one. So you have steel and the weight sucks is what your saying?

Thanks for the replies guys I really appreciate it.

 

Steel skids have had minimal impact on my gas mileage. Steel skids are not that heavy. Like having another person riding in the truck. Unless your habits include wheeling rough trails with rocks I would suggest the aluminum skids.

My steel skids take a beating, and I enjoy having that abuse on the skids, not the truck. Here is a view of what my IFS skid (Pelfreybuilt) looked like the last two years when I took it off for a yearly repainting of the skid.

 

Long winters in Canada.

I'm still stunned by those numbers and 357sig's avatar. I got distracted there for a minute.

 

I've been contemplating aluminum since I spend most of my time commuting 60 miles a day and gas mileage is some consideration...some...more of a practical matter. You don't have a SC if you're too concerned about it. How do the Al skids hold up to the same abuse you've subjected yours to?

 

Thanks for the pics gnyla ... that what I'm looking for, those skids have character! ...is one aluminum or just painted a light color?

 

Both are views of the same steel skid a year and a coat of paint apart.

 

Yerp. I don't know how much they weigh exactly, but I do know my 1/4" front is 70 lbs alone.

 

Those of you who have them how do you like them? Do they provide good protection? If you would do it again would you get steel?

 

the prices in the first post dont seem accurate. Just looking for a new front skid bc the one toyota gave me is rusty and beat up. Cheapest option for steel?

 

If you use it, why opt for the cheapest? Get a Pelfreybilt skid for I think $255 plus shipping. Mine has seen years of abuse, a good sledge hammer and more spray paint keep it looking new as well.