TRD engine skid v. aftermarket

Stock skids work fine, last long time. Ran the stock skids on my 97’ Tacoma for 23 years and plenty of off road, no issues. Don’t let the scary stories of monsters in the closet pressure you into thinking you must have aftermarket skids if you plan to stray off the pavement.
A lot of products are sold on fear.

 

I appreciate the sentiment and agree that a lot of stuff is based on fear. However my stock thin sheet metal engine skids are already dented decently. When I get a chance to go to Austin, Texas, I tackle as much as I safely can with my experience and equipment. No damage so far luckily but I've maxed out the digital inclinometer readings of 30 degrees a few times, during incline and decline. Don't think I've done that for yaw, ha!

 

Sounds like you better go with steel as thick as you can find rather than aluminum.

 

Eh, I'm quite slow rock crawling and careful, but I'd rather be prepared. Looks like 3/16ths steel is the industry standard which does sound about right depending on what kind of steel being used. Really should be in technical specs on but that's just my opinion. But yeah as strong or stronger than I need.

 

OffRoads have this??? or did you add it yourself?

 

It's a worthless feature that didn't refresh quickly at all and only at set degrees, nothing exact. You're not missing anything at all. It may be part of the multi camera whatever package. That has cameras from the first digital camera invented, I think. Also nearly worthless.

 

LOL, okay thanks for the info, that makes me feel better.

 

My stock skid was garbage after a few trips. Aftermarket skids certainly aren't a necessity for everyone. But, anyone who plays in the rocks should get real skids.

 

4xInnovations offers a 1/4" front and 3/16" for the rest. After pouring over all the available options this will be the route I go when the time comes. I still want to beat up the stock pieces a bit first.

https://www.4xinnovations.com/2010-2023-4Runner-Drivetrain-Skid-Set_p_175.html

 

Great choice! And, you can save on shipping and have an excuse to take a ride to beautiful S/W Wisconsin! That's a beautiful area to drive through.

 

Interesting. Looks pretty darn good quality. However, not all steel is the same so without knowing more, just because it is thicker than the regular 3/16ths most sell, doesn't absolutely mean it is stronger. It most likely is though.

 

Agreed...but 4x is a legit company that is upfront and respected. They have a series of videos dropping on different slider types that is worth a watch. I have full confidence is anything they've built.

https://www.youtube.com/@4xInnovations/videos

 

I have their sliders and full set of skids. There is a bracket that connects the skids to the sliders and turns your 4R into a tank. Moab tested (i.e. solid, hard hits) and passed with flying colors. I absolutely recommend 4xInnovations, 100%.

 

Do any of you have pictures of the trails your taking that are tearing up your skid plates? I would love to see these gnarly trails.

 

Here ya go. Trip to Maob. This was a blast. 1st vid is Lockhart Basin, the other 2 are Top of the World.
Viewer discretion is advised-Language.

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1...?key=LWY5QnF2X2pOQnE2SFgyQVBkYjZlZ1ZNS0FlZ2h3

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1...?key=LWY5QnF2X2pOQnE2SFgyQVBkYjZlZ1ZNS0FlZ2h3

ogle.com/share/AF1QipMaiQQMTVfN_P3MdYUk6NzEne-1MW2QV63gAF1aRRgDmAYsfvWWgQbirafaKR19WA/photo/AF1QipM7SETtJS7PMqtkLGBFweSRY9f3NbihRHoa0GUQ?key=LWY5QnF2X2pOQnE2SFgyQVBkYjZlZ1ZNS0FlZ2h3

 

Completely agree. Bud we even had big rock trails where I live, then I would stick with steel for full coverage and piece of mind. Currently, it’s at least 1.5 hrs of hey driving to get to a forest trail to legally drive on. Anything a bit more exciting is at least 4-5 hrs away. I’m in the wrong province/state for some true weekend access. Trying to talk my wife into moving west (Alberta or BC).

 

Not sure what I did wrong when I tried to Quote on the Cartrimhome, but saw some suggestion to use longer bolts and sleeves. Going to look into that and then add back the two removed braces since it should clear.

 

That mall really needs to repave their parking lot.

Great vids

 

CTH KDSS version. Powder coated it black first.

 

Looks really good. I thought about powder coating or painting mine black as well. Unfortunately I only got the black letters (didn’t think about it at the time).

 

Did you get yours on without removing the braces? Really don’t want to remove those. Looks like it’d require longer bolts and spacers.

 

No, had to remove them. But I plan to get extensions sleeves and longer bolts before I hit the trails.

 

I got the skid plate with the oil filter port. No problem so far

 

Just got my matte black skid plate from CTH, No-KDSS.
everything is fine.

 

They offer in black??? or did you paint?
Looks good.

 

Okay, that is new! I guess it would save me painting it black.
How's that tune Gary?? @glwood54

 

I posted some cursory impressions on the KDMAX thread.

 

Anyone know any sleeves and bolt part numbers that would allow installation without removing the 2 braces? I guess no factory parts so would need to take the factory bolts and match up thread pitch a diameter at a hardware store for longer bolts. The correct braces may be difficult to come by? Those braces are a heck of a lot more sturdy than the skid plate. I installed the TRD skid on my 2016 Tacoma TRDOR and the braces were not required to be removed. I like that setup better. Wonder why Toyota did something different between the 4 Runner and Taco?

 

The issue of extending the bolts to retain the braces is if you are attempting to mount the KDSS version of this aftermarket skid plate from cartrimhome. I'm unsure if the cartrimhome version requires removal of the braces for non-kdss. I do know that the OEM TRD skidplate does not require removal of the braces though it does not fit KDSS equipped 4Rs without making modification to the plate itself.