Aftermarket skid plate reviews

ya just dont feel like paying that much lol. the oem skid is just rusty and thin im sure anything is better

 

no way!

 

Yeah, This thread turned out to be alot of work. One day Ill take the time to go back and update prices and products.

 

Maybe if I got paid for the hours of work to make the thread It would get finished. Turns out people cant force you to do this charity thread work...

 

Cheapest Skids are RCI metal works. But I recomend Budbuilt, relentless, or pelfreybilt based on my own experiances.

 

yes you did..

 

thanks

 

We really appreciate the time you put into this thread. It is a great resource. People can check the manufacturer's website or forum for most recent prices.

 

Great thread. I just ordered up Pelfrey skids for 2 of our Tacoma trucks.

 

I'm in the market for a gas tank skid. I like the pelfreybilt gas tank skid however on their site it states that I need tank hangers with attachment points. Does the TRD Sport come with these or will I have to purchase them? Or is there a better option? I do a lot of off roading and my tank is getting beat up and I really don't want to puncture it. I would prefer a bolt on version but if welding is needed that's ok too.

Thanks

 

Yes, you have to buy the offroad straps in order to use the Pelfrey skid. The TRD Sport and all other models, besides the offroad, need the new straps.

Another option is to click the link in my sig and look at a skid that doesn't require new straps or paint.

 

mounted this yesterday. OR stock skid hanger used, washer plate on cross member up front.
"darts" protect hanger nuts

 

Those look great! I'm actually in the market for a Pelfreybilt aluminum IFS skid.

 

The Alu IFS skid is good, goes well with the next two skids plus the gas skid, along with the Alu plate bumper, I just need time to mount them

go for it

 

What happens you back up and catch on one of those points?

 

Thanks. I still have one strap to sort out. There isn't enough distance between the bolt holding the gas tank strap and the skid to get the cam buckle tuck up above the skid. I'm looking at a fixed length strap to put in that location.

 

guess you'd have to un-backup to un-catch

 

can anyone tell me if rock damage malforms your skid...do you need to replace with a new one? Hit a pretty big boulder going 25-30 mph and it smashed up my aluminum IFS skid and my 3/8' steel skid pretty good in places. I can't imagine you can just "tap" out the giant dents, especially in the steel skid. Is there any harm in continuing to use them? Thanks!

 

My skids are from Skid Row Offroad.

I was initially pointed towards Bubuilt by a few people but after my research I found these guys (and someone recommended them as well). At first the price wasn't too good on the wallet, but the design is superior than the Buds. These ones have countersunk bolt holes, openings for changing oil, extra metal on the sides to protect (where Buds didn't have any), and they also came powdercoated.

What really changed my mind too is I found out you can get them through Four Wheel Parts...they were cheaper through them rather than direct online from the company AND I got military discount AND free shipping! So I got something nicer for way cheaper than the Buds.

I did have to space mine out a little to account for my 1" diff drop.

 

This is the IFS aluminum skid. Ever since I hit the boulder, my steering wheel isn't straight but my wheels are. It's not like my truck drifts at speed, but when I left go of the wheel it goes straight on the highway but my steering wheel is at one o'clock. Hoping it's just alignment (and not a steering issue) since the plate was forced up into the LCA, just put on new UCAs and getting an alignment today. It seems the support tower in the front of the skid that touches the front crossmember may have pushed it up a smidge? You can see where the post is by the amount of warping around the hole in the center of the photo surrounded by bare aluminum. But then again it's aluminum and maybe it warped instead of causing damage. Is it worth taking off and trying to bang out the dents?

This is the damage to the 3/8" steel mid skid (and yes I am very lucky it didn't damage my pipe. I think when the boulder hit the mid skid, there was enough force to launch the truck off thanks to the strength of the steel)


I've also noticed a slight metallic whirring sound...almost like when you have loose washers spinning around a bolt...when I'm driving down the street and hitting whatever tiny little bumps there are. It's only noticeable when the windows are down, the radio is low and I'm driving next to parked cars or walls. Any ideas? I checked all the skid plates, the nuts are tight. When I changed out the UCAs, I checked for any visible parts that may be loose. I wonder if it's also affecting the steering?