If you HAD to choose, what skid armor should be purchased first?

So, I'm in between a few skid plating choices since I've ordered my rock sliders already. Budget is too low to obtain an entire set atm, and I'm totally cool with my stock front skid on the TRD OR. So mostly the decision is coming down to either the transfer case skid (also adds protection for that low hanging exhaust that I already have scratches on), or gas tank skid (oem is plastic), or rear differential skid.. I can only choose one right now and I'm all over the place in my decision making, any help would be very appreciated!

 

Personally, I’d replace the front skid with something thicker. after that the transfer case. The rear diff is super beefy that you really don’t need to add an additional skid plate in my opinion.

 

What kind of driving are you doing that has you needing skids but comfortable with the oem front plate?

 

If you are going to do the rear diff, keep in mind that an aftermarket fuel tank skid may need trimming (at least with the BAMF diff skid).

 

+1 for IFS (front) skid first.

I'm not 100% sure - but pretty confident - you need the IFS skid first because the mid skid mounts to it. At least mine does.

 

I'm only doing light to moderate offroading, and have already done some hairy stuff where my front has done very well at protecting. I won't be doing any serious rock crawling. And honestly, a whole lot of things I've been reading say the OEM front skid is more than adequate for the things I'm doing. I also just don't want to spend the money if the stock will be fine till I beat it up more.

 

I'm keeping my stock front skid, so what about after that?

 

Im planning on going with victory4x4 aluminum skids (front, mid, tcase). Being in MN and not doing heavy offroad, aluminum will be best for me... no rust, only thing I hit are snow piles that sometime contain ice bergs.

 

I know you said your gonna keep it but first I'd replace the OR skid with a more structural one. After that, sliders, transfer/mid skid, gas tank.

 

Nvm - just checked RCI's site, you can run their mid skid without the front skid.

I wouldn't worry about the diff, and you're less likely to damage the tank. If you're not replacing the front skid I'd go with the mid skid to protect the transmission - followed by the rear skid to protect your transfer case.

 

More links on skids here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rci-vs-cbi.646982/#post-22449427

 

I already have sliders, and I'm 100% keeping OEM front plating till I muck it up more. I don't plan to keep it "forever" just waiting on it till it's more necessary

 

LOL, Its not necessary until its trashed, what you gonna trash with it?

 

Do you just not understand what I'm saying, or what are you getting at?

 

I'm saying that until the OEM front skid getting wrecked, that's when I'll worry about that one. As for what it'll get wrecked on, I dunno, hasn't happened to say, but my guess would be a rock/boulder

 

Like this? https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/warfab-armor-dorks.626573/page-16#post-22001790

You may want to do your homework because typically skid "trilogy" plates (or "double" in CBI's case) don't mate with the OEM front skid. Some companies do mate with the TRD Pro skid though...

 

Another vote for replacing the factory OR skid with a high-quality aftermarket skid plate. Tons of great options out there as I choose on the RCI aluminum black coated skid within month on purchasing my new 17 OR in 12.16. I have other RCI goodies on my Tacoma which provide great protection for our Taco’s and are high quality craftsmanship.

 

If you anticipate mashing the front skid with a boulder I’d suggest a better skid that can handle that. Front skid would seem to be the most important to me but that’s just me. I still have the trd thin metal one also but I haven’t off raided my truck hard yet. However the off road skid has taken quite a dent in it with what little it’s seen.

Think ahead if you’re trying to get skids. You hit something serious that front skid will not do much protecting.

 

Okay, but if that's not an option, what area would you get skids for if you could only choose one? I'm planning to buy RCI and will eventually over time get other skids and eventually replace the front, just not sure what should be most beneficial at the moment.

 

I'm not planning on running into those, but they can happen, and I'll worry about the front either then, or maybe earlier when more funds are available