Skid plates and rock sliders

I’ve got a stock 21 forerunner, Trd off-road, I got a couple questions about protection from rocks.

First of all are the existing stock rock sliders efficient at protecting the side carriage? I’ve just got the single pipe slider underneath no steps which I’m happy with. So is this sufficient?

I need skid plates underneath, I don’t know anything about them except one thing I’m not going to ever pay for is a skid plate for looks so I can care less about what color or if Trd is stamped or painted red on the bottom of the skid plate. Who makes efficient skid plates for the 4runner with enough protection, that I can go crawling on rocks and death valley for instance? I think I want one that has the removable plate for the oil filter, and hole for draining oil. Aluminum or steel? And how thick is efficient without too much weight? I know aluminum is much lighter and I don’t really want to add a lot of weight to this thing but I’m wondering how many people have regretted going with aluminum and bashed parts underneath. Besides the very front skid plate, how many skid plates does everybody go with?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

Nemo
Oroville,CA

 

Hey Nemo, the OEM "rock sliders" are not rock sliders. They are for looks and to possibly be a step as they are pretty thin and only bolted to the underside of the body. Actual rock sliders are far more robust in their construction and heavily bolt directly to the frame.

Decide if you really need skid plates or not. How hardcore do you plan to get. If you decide to get skids and actually need them, 1/4" and 3/16" steel will provide substantial protection while 1/8" steel will still provide decent protection while saving a little weight. Aluminum will save weight but deform easily offering far less protection than steel and costing more.

 

Here's a very good video about steel vs aluminum from a guy who hits the trails pretty hard:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTajhFtvQlc&t=1s

 

I like these. They do have access panels to the drain plug and oil filter. I like their sliders, too. Wish I had their gas tank skid. The C4 that's on it now hasn't stood up as well to the challenge of rock crawling. The 4x sliders/skids only have a couple of dings.

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

 

I have a 4th Gen but was coming here to suggest 4XI. I researched high and low and 4XInnovations is by far the best price for a very solid product. Went through some rock gardens at Windrock Park a few months ago (first time) and they were golden.

 

Be happy you don't have the top plates. It's a PITA to clean under them, 'specially in winter. Salty slush collects underneath and freezes. Mud gets into the nooks and cranny's. Would make cleaning them much, much easier without the top plates. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't get 'em.

 

I have All Pro sliders and Bud Built skids. I like the AP slider kickout and full plates but really any slider will work.



The BB sliders are meh. I had to stack washers to get them to fit but now I think they move and make my Runner sound like a old farm truck. I went with them because you can replace segments and they offer the light steel option which is what I got since I don’t do rock crawling.

 

The OEM rock sliders are in fact bolted to the frame and a reasonable solution without being too heavy. They are not a step unless you have size 2 shoes.

I added 1/4" full skids from Talon's Garage. I don't need the durability of steel and didn't want that kind of weight to carry around. The Talon's solution has a removable plate to access the oil filter and a hole to get to the drain plug.

 

I picked up a 23ORP last summer and it came with rock sliders as an option. I think the name Toyota used was maybe Rock Rails or something.

Anyway, these were installed at port once it arrived here. They are rounded bars with a textured finish. Welds look good and they are fairly robust. They are definitely a step up from the other steps/bars I have seen. The option was $700 which I was forced into purchasing despite removing them within a week of delivery.

I will say this, they are actually quite nice and I would say perfect for the person who wants to get out on the trail and have something that is strong enough to take a hit that comes from the factory. I am selling mine for $400 and in Colorado. PM me for photos.