Skid Plate

and recommendations for a skid plate for a SR5
200$ budget

 

What is the extent of protection needed? Serious rock crawling, bouncing up and down on a sequence of boulders? Or just under-engine protection from forest-gravel roads and parking-space-dividers at malls?

$200 only realistically buys a used TRD Pro off FB or TW ... not good for off-roading-big-boulders but reasonable for easier-flatter off-roads. $400 gets a good steel from RCI that has protected me from boulders on trails that would have damaged the engine.

 

mostly needed for mudding and trails

 

TRD Pro new ... not $200 ... https://autoparts.toyota.com/products/product/front-skid-plate-trd-ptr6089190

RCI, less than $400 ... https://rcimetalworks.com/product-category/all-skid-plates/skid-plate-tacoma/

At or less than $200 is not realistic if going on any trail, my humble opinion.

 

Gotcha, saving up will probably be best

$164 ECOTRIC Front Skid Plate Protection Compatible with 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma Replacement for PTR60-35190, PTR60-35160 Aluminum Powder Coated

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9QCB388
how about this if i want to go for that TRD look

 

Go for "quality". OEM TRD Pro is aluminum, not quite as as strong as steel, but 3.4 in thick. RCI or CBI for real steel that can take a serious hit instead of your engine taking the hit.

Again ... $100 saving and keep the "looks" is not worth the savings. Skip Starbucks for 2 months ...

 

not going to happen

 

Realistically $300-$400 is what you will spend for a good skid (engine only). The only way you will find one for $200 or less is on Marketplace or some other reseller site. It's possible if you're patient, but by then you could probably just save up a bit more for an RCI or TRD Pro skid. Thick aluminum is fine for light offroading but steel is the way to go if you really need bulletproof protection.

 

- Steel can be bent back easily with a BFH, aluminum not so much
- Aluminum sticks, steel slides
- Aluminum is more expensive, steel is [obviously] heavier

Pick your poison for your application...

 

Like mentioned if you can get a good used Off Road plate, your good to go for forest trails, and mud. If your were serious about rock crawling, you need a lot more armour under the rest of your truck too, not just a skid.

Good luck Richie

 

DIY option.

Working on building a full set for myself.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/homemade-skid-plates.262726/page-23

 

I have that one. The aluminum quality itself seems fine, but I wish I saved up for the TRD. Had to adjust the holes to get them to line up with the truck. It was a huge pain in the ass to crawl under the truck, find the next point of bad fit, get out from under it, modify the hole, get back under, rinse and repeat. Also, the supplied hardware seems crappy and it was really hard to avoid cross threading.

 

You can also use the stock aluminum skid off of a 2nd Gen TRD OR. It fits the 3rd gens. Had a buddy use my old one on his 3rd gen

 

Does it have the oil change holes?

 

Stock OR plate must be dropped to get the filter.

 

They look cool but they're not much more than a brush guard. The aluminum is thin and won't protect against anything substantial. I would at least get the heavier gauge aluminum such as the TRD Pro or the RCI like I have in my profile picture.

 

The Amazon skid plate will work for mild trails. The thing is...mild trails lead to more challenging trails. Eventually you get into a situation where you wish you had bought the proper equipment to start with. We've all been there.

There is an unspoken policy at TW: We're here to help you spend your money.

 

The ability to call a stop to going ever deeper into trails you "in your gut" know you do not have the talent, even with the best equipment ... not exactly common here in TW.

As to "spending other people money ... lines 1, 7-10 in my signature.

 

To clear up a potential misunderstanding, Amazon does not manufacture skid plates. They allow other manufactures and resellers to sell stuff on their website.

 

Really?! Whoda thunk...