TRD vs off brand OEM like skid plates?

Has anyone compared an off brand (specifically the LOSTAR) skid plate against OEM in terms of material and thickness?
I'm curious of the differences aside from the inlay given it's like half the price and with the price of OEM, its half of the way to a full underbody skid plate setup from RCI or someone.

 

Results vary, some have reported that the bolt hole pattern is off on some of these knockoffs. The price is very tempting though and enlarging a few holes is not a big deal. I’d buy one but I’m retired and on a fixed budget.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256...ujO4XmN&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa&_randl_shipto=US

 

Just get a real skid plate

 

I have a the lostar one. Was a pain to put on, and the hardware they sent initially wasn't all correct. Two of the spacers weren't drilled to the correct diameter. They did send me a replacement hardware kit for free, but I had already fixed their mistake and mounted it after some trial and error. Once it's on, I have no doubt it preforms just as good. If it wasn't for that, I'd say go knock-off all the way. But if you got the money, just get the legit one and save yourself the headache.

 

Penny wise, pound foolish. Save $100 on an RCI kid plate, spend time on hard installs and have less protection for the engine.

 

Do you mean rci is less protection vs the stock or TRD skids?

 

they are much cheaper on Amazon

 

RCI is the same size as TRD.Some people like the slightly large size wings on TRD. TRD is 1/2 the weight of my RCI steel and RCI aluminum.

Stock plate is 1/2 coverage of others, and is flimsy splash guard instead of real protection.

Spending $100 less on belly armor while sacrificing the better protection that comes with better quality/installation-support seems unwise.

 

Good points, thank you for clarifying.

 

Small correction ... RCI aluminum is same weight as TRD aluminum. Steel is 2x heavy as aluminum.

 

Aside from the issue of getting the correct parts and fitment that is always a risk with knock off parts, I'd also be concerned with the basic materials quality and workmanship of the powder coating and welds, I've seen bad welds come apart before and it isn't pretty. Were it me and I actually wanted the skid for more than looks I wouldn't trust my truck to a questionable part to save a few dollars up front.

 

I went with the Lostar myself. I don't wheel hard but wanted something extra under the truck while camping/fishing etc. The plate itself is very sturdy, no complaints there. The only con is that some of the bends in the metal must be a little defective. When I secure the front bolts, the back of the plate is an inch away from the frame. To keep the smaller, rear bolts from being overstrained during install I just used my floor jack to support the rear while tightening them. All good from then on

 

I went to the dealership and picked up an OEM 3rd Gen skid instead of something else. I did tons of research on skids and comparing different ones and settled on this one. It's plenty sufficient for what I need and it looks really good. Quality and parts were spot on with the OEM so no worry of hole alignment. You have to weigh the risk/reward yourself.

 

If you go off road, an aluminum skid will be mangled after 1-2 seasons to a point it will no longer fit. So buy the cheaper aluminum skid and treat it as disposable - it's the cost of lower weight.

 

RCI skid plate isn’t bad at all… and I came from the oem TRD skid plate

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ate-w-exhaust-reroute-ask-me-anything.812676/

 

I installed a Lostar from Amazon. I preferred the plain look to the TRD logo. Fit perfect and came with all needed hardware. It's been on there a year through one Canadian winter and lots of road salt and it still looks brand new.

 

I'd personally go OEM...but that's me.

I was able to get a TRD Skid for $306 including shipping a while back from a Dealership in NY.







It's merged with the Talon CAT plate too!





Love it!

 

Looks great! I'm thinking about doing the same. Is the main difference between regular stock and TRD the thickness? Or are there other differences? Thanks!

 

From what I saw on Amazon when I searched the brand, I can't really say/talk about the thickness and durability.

All I know is...OEM is preferred.