Armor

any ideas of where to start with armor for my 1st GEN 2000 Tacoma pre-runner? i recently came aware that the skid plate is bolted to the t-case so if anyone knows how or has done work with that, any tips?!!

 

Most people ditch the stock IFS skid plate because of how thin it is and how little protection it offers. I have bud built skids on my truck and they cover every thing up to and past the transfer case and the rear of the belly skid is attached with its own crossmember as well for added strength.

Skid Row also makes a full set of skids which are supposed to be very nice as well.

If you'd like to reinforce the stock skid I suppose you could weld some plate to it but it will still be less robust than a 3/16"+ thick aftermarket skid

 

+2 for Budbilt, I have their front IFS skid installed. Got the belly skid too but I've only had that on a couple times, it's heavy AF and I only put it on if I think I'll need it.

Otherwise I have a Skidrow T-case skid that I use 90% of the time that works great too

I do need to replace my Budbilt IFS though at some point since its gotten a bit twisted from too much smashing I guess

 

I've abused mine to the point where it's a 2 man and a floor jack install

 

haha I use a floor jack to install them too, much easier that way. But for the IFS I only use the 3 bolts up front and the 2 carriage bolts in the back under the steering rack...the 2 in the middle no longer line up

 

+3 for BudBuilt. I have their front skid and belly pan. They have slid over more than a few rocks and are still holding up great!

They are heavy at 60-65lbs each, but well worth it IMO.