Skids - Steel or Aluminum?

Thanks for all the advice guys! I probably won't have my paws on a Taco for around a year or so (currently in the middle of switching careers) but I'm looking forward to then. My basic plan is a DCLB with 3" lift (probably go with Icons) and reinforcements that go along with a lift, some sort of bed rack w/ RTT, 33's w/ a regear, sliders + skids + bumpers, slide out drawers in the bed for cooking/recovery gear/hunting equipment, and some auxiliary lighting.

Cheers!

 

Pound for pound aluminum is stronger that steel. If engineered and designed correctly aluminum can be just as strong and lighter than steel. However it will not slide over rocks as well as steel...

 

Steel

 

Getting VERY concerned about the added weight with my upgrades!! First of all I have a 2017 Tacoma Long Bed Off Road with a 3” lift and Bielstein 5100’s. Old Man Emu springs, SPC Upper Concrol Arms with an add a leaf.
I recently purchased the 3rd Gen CBI Aluminum front bumper (47lbs), with the front and rear steel CBI Skid plates (combined approx 170lbs). Also have a Smittybilt XRC GEN3 winch (84lb). Lastly I have some custom made steel sliders being fabricated and on the way soon(approx 130lbs to 150lbs combined).

170
150
47
84
Total 451lbs

Should I be worried???

 

That's nothing man

Come back when you have a bed rack with 10 gallons of fuel water, heavy hc bumper with heavy dual swingouts with folding table, an RTT. Dual battery agm setup, bed slide with arb fridge, and a solar setup.

You only have the equivalent of two hefty girls in your truck.

 

Yes...yes you should always be concerned about weight.

I agree 100% about the statement about aluminum being fine if engineered / designed correctly. Problem is most are copies of their steel counterparts. If it's just for "oh f^&k" moments then the available aluminum skids will be fine but will take damage. If you're rock crawling then no, aluminum is not okay the way most are designed. I'm pretty sure most are made from 5XXX series aluminum as it's an alloy that's meant to be bent during fabrication.

You have to ask yourself what the intended usage is.

I personally have a combination of aluminum and steel. Front skid is ALL-POO aluminum (5XXX), mid skid is steel, and TC skid is a redesigned ALL-POO skid (steel tubing frame with a tummy tucked, flat bottomed 6061 plate.) I am not nice to my skids but my Taco is not a rock crawler. The front (5XXX series) skid is gouged and bent, the TC 6061 skid is gouged but still straight.

ETA: How good are your fab skills?

 

After cutting off the All Pro anchor:

Tabs and center reinforcement:

Frame mounted on truck sans skid (aluminum can bolt on from bottom without removing frame)

Skid in place:

 

Too freakin funny! I eventually my plan to go full overland. That makes me feel a lot better about the weight. The reason I brought it up was the other day I took one of my employees out for lunch and this guy is pushing 400lbs. We were driving back into the parking lot that has an extremely deep dip at the entrance and when I hit it at a side approach angle my truck made some squeaks I’ve never heard before. It got me thinking about all the extra weight that I will have on the truck very soon.
I see you are in Fontucket. My Father in law lives in Colton. I work in San Dimas and will have LGE-CTS Motorsports do my bumper install in San Dimas. Would like to see your set up some day to get some ideas for my future. Thanks for the feedback.

 

Very nice set up Brother. I have the fab skills but no equipment. I do have a fab guy who is doing my sliders. I’ll have to show him your pics and see what he can do. Thanks

 

Lol sorry that was a smartass response, I have none of that.

But my point still stands that you are still okay on weight. I think once you get a rear bumper and some more things is when you'll probably start feeling it for reals.

 

No worries Brother. It was not taken in a bad way. I like that kind of banter.