Skid Plates comparison

Does anyone have expeirence with RCI vs CBI vs Budbuillt as far as skid plate quality?

I'm looking at 3/16" steel from whichever I go with, and all seem to provide similar levels of coverage (RCI might be leaving a bit more of the LCA joint exposed, but I think I could cover that with a LCA plate if I feel it's really necessary).

I'm a little curious because RCI is so much less expensive, but their lead time also gives me the best chance of being ready for RT in October.

This will actually be for a 4th Gen V8 T4R, but the 4Runner groups and forums that I've found seem to either be pretty dead, or in the case of the FB group pretty useless for any question that isn't related to wheels or "raptor" lights.

 

I’m curious about the same thing for my 3rd gen Tacoma.

 

Most of the Youtubers that I see have CBI skid plates or the TRD Pro skid plate... I wanted to get CBI skids but the shipping costs is more than the skids themselves costs (and thats even after they recently raised all their prices site wide). I have RCI rock sliders on my truck and their powder coating isnt very good, they left some spots that werent powder coated good and my sliders started to get rust spots a few months after I installed them (without any damage on them).

 

Skid plate reviews
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/307109-aftermarket-skid-plate-reviews.html

RCI skid plates is now a Vendor https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rci-is-now-a-vendor-on-tw.413234/

 

I have a cbi steel front skid and its bent to hell Mounting holes dont line up anymore, skid is bent up into the diff, etc. But thats just me

 

I recently bought and installed the aluminum full RCI skid package. I went with raw aluminum. I don't do anything too daring off road, but have encountered some trails where the skids gave me more confidence. They haven't taken much abuse. I chose the raw aluminum because I liked the look, no worries about rust, and lighter weight. Additionally, the aluminum skid package shipped really quickly from RCI, got them in a week I think. Even being aluminum they are really solid. Also got the matching gas tank skid as well.