Install TRD skid plate over stock?

do you keep the stock skid plate or just install the trd skid plate over the stock. seems kinda unnecessary to have both of them.

 

Neither. Get a real one!

 

The stock plate is actually a splash shield, so you need both.

 

Get a real steel one. Dented mine this weekend going through some snow. Now looking at building a good one.

 

I left my factory plate off and added some spacers to get it spaced right. Ive had no issues.

 

just get a rci or pelfrey skid and call it a day

 

Do these aftermarket skd plates cover the small spot the OEM one (excluding TRD) don't? Pictures are not clear to me

 

Yes, they install over the splash shield.

They cover front splash shield only.

 

I guess, in reality, it depends on what you are using the truck for. The stock (splash cover) is about as thick as a cookie sheet. It will keep really soft stuff out of your engine compartment, but will cave completely with any impact. The TRD one is a bit thicker, but definitely will not protect you off road where you may come down onto a rock. It will also decrease your approach angle making it more likely to bash it more frequently.
Aftermarket, whether steel or aluminum are designed to stay out of the way of obstacles and take a pretty severe bash without penalty.
So, it you're doing it for looks, go TRD. If you never go off road, don't do anything. If you plan to go where there are things that will hurt your truck, do it right and get a good aftermarket plate. There are plenty to choose from.

Oh yeah. If going off road, you should think of a transfer case plate as well. Beautiful Toyota design feature is that the transfer case is the lowest part of your truck

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2nd-and-3rd-gen-trd-embossed-skid-plate.522576/

This

 

I had no idea Toyota uses a fake one.

 

It is pretty much fake, its all for looks and its like 1/8 steel if not thinner. What we are saying is that for the money you spend on the TRD one for a second gen could be put towards a better 3/16 steel skid that covered everything way better. RCI is having a sale soon in the groupbuy section. The 3rd gen trd skid is true 1/4 steel, now thats a badass trd skid i would pay for.

 

I know what you are talking about, yes most if not all aftermarket skids do cover all the way to the back of the front axle, it uses that crossmember as the mounting point.

 

Not what I'm talking about. On my SR5 4x4, the stock plate has four bolts. The forward edge of the plate does not go all the way to the bumper, so stuff can get up into the radiator. Thank has happened to me in the short time I've had the truck. Reeds and sticks bending radiator find.

 

Oh i get what you are saying. well no skidplate out there covers that as it ends at the very front cross member/frame brace. I have a plate bumper that fills that gap with 3/16 plate steel and the rci skid fills in the back. No problemos here!

 

I thought the same thing about the TRD Sport hood scoop.

 

I'm pretty sure the trd plate covers the area. I'll get a picture so we know we're talking about the same thing.

 

Oh ohhh you are referring to putting the white trd skid over the splash shield to fill the complete void so nothing gets between the bumper and radiator

https://www.bpfabricating.com/colle...products/2005-2013-toyota-tacoma-skid-plate-1 Check this beast of a skidplate out, covers that area you wanna cover.

 

Yes!! And now you're my hero. Off to order one. Thanks

 

I wouldn’t pay retail for a TRD skid plate, luckily for me I got mine locally for $50cdn.