Best aftermarket skid plate?

As I go through my new-to-me 2000 V6 5-speed 4x4 TRD I'm getting annoyed with the stock skid plate. The PO must've buggered the threads on a couple of the bolts, the whole assembly is steel and quite heavy, and looks like it will need to be removed for each oil change. So, I'm thinking of replacing it. Can anyone recommend a good aftermarket solution? I'm looking for...

• Easy removal/installation
• Prefer aluminum for light weight and no rust
• Decent protection but I'm only an occasional offroader, certainly not rock crawling.

Any recommendations appreciated.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...skid-plates-nepa.369111/page-15#post-14854326

also you don't have to remove the skids to change the oil. that's why the hole in the one is there, to drain.

 

Sand'r down and paint'r up once a year - it'll take an hour. No worries about rust that way plus you'll get to see if there's anything underneath it that needs to be looked at - pulled mine and found my front diff leaking. That guy ^^^^ sells stainless ones which is the best of both worlds

 

Just ordered one of Ethan's skid plates. Regarding the oil change, getting the oil filter off without spilling oil all over is sure easier with the skid plate off, am I missing something here?

 

Install the new skidplate once and you'll change your mind. I recently installed one of his and it'll be more trouble to remove and reinstall due to the weight.
My engine is a 4 cyl so the configuration isn't quite the same but next time trying reaching through the wheel well. You'll have to remove the wheel well liner

 

Who cares if it rusts? Your frame will rust in half before the structural integrity of the skid plate is ever compromised. If someones under there making fun of a rusty skid plate, a kick to the forehead while they are down there will shut them up pretty quick.

 

fish the oil filter out through the driver side wheel well, unscrew it and drop it into a plastic bag so less mess.

 

People with OCD (not actual OCD, but strong preference lol) don't like their vehicles rusty even if it's just surface rust. Just a preference thing.

 

I have one of Ethan's ss skids. Great fit and 2 years later it still looks new.

 

1 week old lol

 

If you aren't actually going to use the skid plates then aftermarket isn't going to be worth it for you. Look for stock used ones on the classified here. People are practically giving them away.

 

I wrap a trash bag around it and have an old towel under that. I barely have any drip issues on my driveway.

 

Received my skid plate from Ethan and inatalled it, very nice piece! Excellent design, fits perfectly, a definite improvement from the two-piece overly complicated stock plate. Recommended.

 

Any pics?

 

I still have issues with the filter leaking/draining while I unscrew it, even after waiting. Maybe I should wait long enough to drink another beer and let it drain some more next time.

 

the picture i posted a few post of is one of Ethan's also

 

Still won't help. there will always be oil in the filter and plate that the filter attaches to. being that it's at a 45° angle makes it impossible to get all the oil out. which is why the plastic bag suggestion was made. I've basically just lived with it spilling and move the drain pan over to that side. the oil actually helps a little when it gets on the skids/frame up here in the salty states

at least this is the case with the V6

 

Nothing available for 2017 Taco

 

love mine, 3 months old, fantastic quality

 

Clearly you're just drinking your beer too fast j/k.

I use the plastic bag method on my 2.7 2nd gen where the oil filter is vertical and up inside the engine bay so far that my arm is fully extended. Quite a place to put a hole in a metal tank full of oil