TRD Pro Skid plate with 6” Zone lift

Hi All!

I’m a new owner of a 2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road! I’ve been a lifelong (34 years) Chevy truck owner, however, I decided to get into something that was a little better for the trails and off-road.

That being said, I have a package from AV4 (custom shop owned by Adam Vinatieri) straight from Toyota. The package has the 6” zone lift. I see the skid plate for the front diff, but I was curious if I can still install the TRD pro skid plate as well? Should I look for something else?

I want to get the truck completely ready for off-road, would hate to tear something up. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance, ready to see what these trucks can do!

 

TRD skid plate will not work with 6" drop bracket lift.

 

nope, no skid plate will fit it. You can find a fab shop that can get you a custom one made probably.

 

Do I need another skid plate or is the one provided with the lift sufficient? I’ve never been into off roading (had lifted trucks, but it was all show and no go).

 

if you're not planning to offroad too much or too hard then you'll be more than fine with the provided skid. Just do keep in mind that the drop bracket kits do tend to drop the front diff a bit so it usually hangs a little lower. No biggie, just be cognizant of anything sticking out of the trail that can hit it.

Also drop bracket lifts get hate on TW for not being offroad worthy. So be sure to understand that you will get some antagonizing posts once in a while.

 

Thank you for the heads up. Everything I’ve read has been pretty positive about zone lifts, but I’m a novice at best with lifts. I do want to get into off roading as a hobby but obviously don’t want to tear my truck up too much

 

no yeah, just take it slow, and learn how your truck handles and where it has clearance and where it doesn't. Let me tag a few dudes who know more about drop brackets to see if they have any other suggestions for skid plates or aftermarket accessories for them @4x4erik @LAMCKMA007

 

The biggest thing with drop bracket lifts is don't offroad quickly. They are pretty tough but if you slam into a stationary rock the front end is "weaker" overall.

I've seen trucks written off due to the inherent weakness of the trailing arms and the cut in the frame. One tundra one tacoma.

Most people don't offroad Tacomas like trophy trucks anyway.

I would encourage using the size of the tire, and lo range with the locker to do the work.

Definitely deflate when offroading and you'll kick the snot out of many trucks.

 

Don't believe what you read on zone lifts being good. Cheap lift's in my book. I have had them in past on other trucks. (young and foolish, then) If you want a decent/good 6" lift look at BDS. I wouldn't do a 6" lift. As whatstcp said everything gets dropped down (front axle) You cut factory cross member out and new lowered one goes in. You sure you want to cut you frame out? on your new truck......

 

Thanks for the insight! I definitely don’t plan on going crazy, want to start with easier trails that are dirt, mud, and maybe some moderate climbing. Don’t want to get into real rock crawling until I know I’m not going to flip the truck lol. The one thing I don’t want to do it damage things when it can be avoided obviously. Off roading has its risks but I would rather not pay the price for being stupid and ask the questions up front. Humility goes a long way and can save a lot of money!

 

Should have gotten something without that life then...

 

The lift was installed by a shop that partnered with Toyota and if fully warrantied through Toyota as well. I had a 6” BDM lift on my Sierra and it was solid. They are owned by the same company, correct? From my research the quality is very similar. The cutting of the frame is something I didn’t know about and I’ll have to do some more research on, thank you for the feedback, I have some digging to do!

 

Florida muddin' videos terrify me, you guys get monster trucks stuck in your own back yards!

I love mud, but I don't want it coming up past my gum boots.

 

I don’t know what would be worse, breaking the front end on a truck or filling it with mud lol. I’m starting small, see how it goes from there. I’m definitely not going in first either, I’ll let the Jeeps and guys in bigger trucks test the waters

 

I guess, I didn't read very close, didn't realize you already had lift on truck. It's Friday a few Shiner Bocks already downed.

 

My very first time out, the lead truck promised to take it easy.

He hooked a left 2 minutes in, directly into a river, broke an axle and lost 4WD, had to recover him in a moving river.

I just wanted to get my tires dirty haha.

 

That sounds about right for some of these guys down in Florida. I’m originally from Indiana and didn’t think Florida would have as many lifted trucks. Man, I’ve never been more wrong in my life.

 

I have a 4.5 drop bracket lift with 35s it’s more than sufficient. I can go 40+ over sand and dirt no problem and it’s smooth. Most people that talk sh*t about drop Bracket lifts never have had one or their experience is from their dads 1990 pick up.

 

Alright no need for arguing here lol the new guy @Ghostrider52 had some questions about skid plates etc for offroading. Any suggestions? Tips and tricks for offroading with a DB lift?

 

Good to hear that, it’s my fun vehicle at this point, but still doesn’t mean I want to beat the hell out of it lol. Where at in Florida are you located at (edit: nevermind, I see orlando). I’ve been looking into some trails to hit, any suggestions on the west side of the state?