LT 1st Gen Skid plates

Hey guys. I’m looking to get a skid plate and have noticed some have issues where the lower control arm travels below the mounting points especially for the boxed lowers of the LT kits. Anyone have anything they highly recommend for this application?

 

Anyone....?

 

I've never heard of this issue with stock LCAs and mid travel setups...

@Blackdawg has LT on his truck maybe he knows more about it

 

ha ironically. I've had this issue.

This can be due to design of the skid, its too tight and wide at the LCA mounts, thus the LCAs can hit the skids. Mine was too high so that the small piece that sticks downward on the stock LCAs could catch the side of the skid.

Rather odd and annoying having spent a lot of money on the skid..


that said. This is not common and most main manufactured skid plates will not have this problem.

Both my skids have been from very small shops so they had their issues. I had to trim one to make it work right.

 

We have the same LT kit so that’s helpful info.

 

RCI makes a narrow skid that isn't any wider than the LCAs, I wonder if this is part of the reason...



https://rcimetalworks.com/product/96-02-4runner-front-skid-plate/

More narrow than a Budbilt or Skidrow skid anyhow, my Budbilt does overlap the LCAs a bit but doesn't interfere with my stock arms

 

My skid I have on the LT truck i had to mod it a bit to get it to work right. Was a weird skid though I'll admit anyways. Just make sure to check and notch as needed.

 

kind of nice as its still possible to get to the alignment cams too probably.

 

The 4xInnovations skid doesn't interfere with the LCA travel. Next time you are free @Ace115 , swing by my place and we can take a look at our trucks and make sure the skid will work. I know you were thinking about the thicker skid if possible.

 

Sounds good bud. When are you back from your trip?

 

I got back Friday night.

 

this looks good! I need to do something different with mine as it has 22yrs of weathering
do you now if all first gens fit the same or is it year specific?
wonder if I can take my OEM off and clean and powder coat it, has anybody done that?

 

Why the hell would you do that to that piece of tin foil?

I mean if you don't off-road by all means go for it. Can powder coat anything. Prepping it for that will kind of suck will need a blaster to get under all the supports .

 

I would hit them up and ask, if I remember right they only show it on a 3rd gen 4runner on their website but I don't know if the mounting is different for a 1st gen Tacoma or not, given how similar they are.

 

Only difference for skid mounting is the radiators. Autos hang down lower than the manual radiators. Mounting points are all the same for the front skids.

Most manufacturers make the front skid the same so you don't have to think about the radiator difference.

The rear parts can be different I think between 4runners and Tacoma's. But all Tacoma's are the same.

 

just asking i dunno! no offroading other than some farm mud roads and deep snow
just trying to dress up the truck some!

this is not the underneath of yours?
my mistake i did not read the whole thread yet just saw the pic

maybe need a thread 'Show us your 1st gen skids' ?

 

Id probably just paint it. Much easier to do and be way cheaper. Unless you have a big sand blaster. Or want to pay for it to be blasted then PC it.

 

I saw a topic somewhere in 1st gen marketplace of a guy that custom fabs these from PA I think?

 

Ethan makes some stainless skid plates in 8 ga and 10ga. You'd be fine with a 10ga skid likely. He is one of the few that makes them different for Auto vs Manual transmissions so be aware of that.