TRD engine skid v. aftermarket

Hello, I'm curious as to the construction quality and material / strength of a factory TRD engine skid plate versus, say, a CBI or Victory 4x4 skid.

My thought process is if it's similar in strength as a 3/16" steel plate, I can find a gently used one for cheaper than buying a new aftermarket one. My mindset is usually you get what you pay for, but if the TRD one is pretty good and comparable, I definitely don't mind saving money.

Currently have an RCI transmission skid and Cali Raised gas tank skid.

 

Problem is that you would need the TRD skid plate as well as another skid plate to make it back to your trans skid plate.

 

Keep in mind that if you have KDSS then the TRD skid plate will need to be modified to fit.

 

The TRD plate doesn't make it back that far? Is there an additional TRD factory plate that is installed between the front angled engine skid and the short flat engine area (where oil drain is)? If not, what is there instead? I have a factory flimsy angled part and then a factory flimsy flat part where the oil drain access is.

Thank you but I do not have KDSS.

 

See the photo that I ripped from RCI's web site on my above post.

 

A TRD Pro comes with the TRD skid plate then that flimsy sheet metal thing.

 

Edit: Hold up, they don't have oil filter access? What the hay? Am I missing something? I do my own maintenance and am not getting skids without access panels.

Oh okay, so I guess RCI sells the in between peace. Do you have a TRD skid plate though / what is it made of and thickness, quality, consensus on if it is comparable to an aftermarket version?

 

The TRD skid plate is quarter inch aluminum and is not as durable or as strong as 3/16 inch steel but, is lighter by about a third. If you have a steel trans skid plate, I'd stick to steel for all of them. Especially, if you plan to be dragging across rocks etc.

 

No oil filter access door for the TRD skid plate. The entire skid will have to be removed when changing oil just like the stamped steel skid plate. RCI's integration plate has an access hole for the oil drain plug.

I'm unsure if RCI's transmission skid will work with any other companies engine skid. I'd look closely into that before purchasing so you don't run into problems.

 

Thanks for the information you two. I'm no longer interested in the TRD skid now.

RCI's are the cheapest out there that I've seen but they don't physically cover as much as other brands, especially the engine skid plates. I got the RCI tranny plate mostly because it had available catalytic converter guards and it was on sale. I'm sure I'll make another brand engine skid work with it. It's just flat metal plates. Worst case scenario I drill a couple holes on the back end of it, spray it with cold galvanized paint, maybe use a washer and get longer bolts.

 

The RCI engine skid covers what the stamped steel front skid AND the smaller oem skid with the oil drain panel cover. It replaces both of those with one skid. I'm not sure what more you expect it to cover. The tranny skid is right behind that.

 

https://cartrimhome.com/Bumper-Skid-Plate-Protector-Guard-For-TOYOTA-4RUNNER-2014-2021

 

That looks like it has an oil drain access. Not a factory skid plate, correct?

 

I guess I'm confused, glwood. Another poster said the TRD skid ends before the oil drain and you are saying not.

5six, I appreciate the effort but it looks like the lettering for trd on that is made of plastic inserts. Inserts definitely. That's a hard pass from me.

 

I said nothing about the TRD skid. I have the RCI skid, and know that it replaces both oem engine skid pieces.

The skid from cartrimhome in an above post is an aftermarket TRD skid copy. Very close to oem, with an access plate for oil changes, but IMO not as thick of metal. And yes, plastic letters.

 

It ends before the oil drain. The tacoma and tundra ones are the longer ones that goes further back.

OEM Toyota 4runner TRD Pro skid do not come with oil filter access doors. Only the tacoma trd pro and tundra trd pro's come with. Toyota dropped the ball on this one for the 4runner platform for whatever reason. I mean, what was so hard about incorporating the same thing they did to the tacoma and tundra skids?

The skid that was linked above is a very good copy of the OEM TRD pro skid with the oil filter access door, aside from what you mentioned about the plastic lettering; although I've never seen the OEM lettering and what materials they're made of so I can't compare.

As Glen mentioned, if you plan to off road and drag across rocks, stick to steel plates. If you only off road at the malls, the trd skid would be enough.

 

Why doesn't someone just modify the 4R TRD Pro skid to add an oil drain access panel?

 

You are correct. I thought I’d give it a try, ordered the KDSS version. I should be receiving it next week.

 

Since mine is my daily driver, with probably 5% or less for offroading, and of that I don’t plan rock crawling. I like the added protection over the TRD Off Road stock plates, but appreciate the weight savings of the aluminum vs steel. Mostly sticking to forester roads, and rutted paths. I will get a steel diff plate though.

 

Because the 4runner skid plate does not go all the way to the oil drain plug. It ends slightly after the filter location. That opening that you see in the link above is the filter door. The tacoma and tundra pro skid plates are longer and actually covers more area.

You ordered the CTH one? Did you use the code for a 5% off?

I have the CTH skid in the link above for my 22 ORP. It fits what I need it for and for the price, I'm happy with it. Only wish the oil filter opening was bigger for more access. I don't plan on taking it on any harsh trails, I got my 4th for that.

 

No, I missed that extra bit of savings At least that would’ve paid for the upgrade cost to black lettering.

 

It's a good upgrade compared to the sheet metal ones that comes on the ORP.

 

I had the CTH skid for a short while. It would have been fine for my 4R use, and seemed to be well enough made. I didn't end up keeping it, though, due to the fact that it required removing 2 cross member-to-radiator support braces in order to mount the skid, which bothered me. So I sold it and got the aluminum RCI skid, which didn't require removal of those 2 braces for installation. YMMV. Also, the RCI replaced both OEM engine "skids".

 

I have had the CTH KDSS version on since October. When you install it, use the longer bolts and spacers on the front and not the back. Also reinstall the black plastic shroud before bolting it up.

It will fit but the plastic tabs from the TRD letters pressed up against mine. I just drilled a hole in the OE black shroud where it was touching and problem solved.

I do light off roading and haven’t had any issues with interference with the KDSS bar.

 

I also have an RCI transmission skid with the cat shields, so I would highly recommend their skids as well. Personally just liked the look of the TRD skid and it works for my needs.

 

Hmm, wasn’t aware of the perm removal of any braces. Out of curiosity would you happen to know if that is only applicable to this product or is the same for official Toyota skid plate too?

 

Not sure about the CTH skid.. but from the two or three OEM Pro skids i've seen removed the braces remain.

 

IIRC, it only applies to the KDSS version of the CTH skid. If others figured out how to install it without removing those 2 braces, they are smarter than I. I could not get it on without removing those. I did not want to leave them off in the end, that's why I sold the skid plate.

As you can see in this screenshot of an installation video, the two braces have been removed. The screenshot is just before the guy lifts the skid into place to start the rear bolts:


This screenshot, from the same video, shows the front bolts being installed, and the place they thread into is the same place those braces attach:


Video is here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4drI7sgZvw

 

Interesting. I probably wouldn't want to permanently remove those braces either. At least the skid would protect the radiator support from vertical impacts like slipping on to a rock. A horizontal impact may be rough but you're already in big trouble if that's happening.

 

Can someone post the discount code?