Armor Upgrade

This is my third thread as part of my build for my 2023 Toyota TRD ORP we named Abigail. This thread is dedicated to vehicle armor. My other two threads are:

(1) Overview Build
(2) Electrical Build


When I purchased Abigail, I knew I would eventually upgrade, and add some additional armor. As part of those upgrades, I knew I wanted to add the capability to equip my rig with a winch and a light bar, so I had already determined I would be getting a front bumper. As always seems to be the case from my research online, after deciding that I wanted to add a front bumper and armor I had to decide between aluminum, steel, full or covert front bumper, brand, style, and what components I wanted to protect. I searched forums, trail4runner, and other online sources while trying to narrow down my choices.


I live in the Pacific Northwest and see trails ranging from dirt, sand, rock, gravel, and anything in between and run anything ranging from from easy to moderate trails most trips. I planned on and have completed a couple of trails rated as a 5 on OnX off-road and frequently travel on trails rated a 3 or 4. I knew with the rocks around here I wanted steel instead of aluminum and that I wanted to protect as much of my underside as possible while also deterring catalytic converter theft.


Once I decided steel skid plates I had to decide what I wanted to protect. I knew I wanted to protect the engine, transmission, transfer case, fuel tank, rocker panel, and rear differential so I started researching companies. The two companies that immediately jumped out at me were C4 Fabrication, and CBI Off-road. Both companies have a great reputation, and make great products, but ultimately I settled on CBI Off-road. I choose CBI over C4 for a couple of reasons, they were running a 20% off bundle sale; which included the front skid and rear skid plates ,in addition to a covert front bumper, and they come powder coated. I picked up their fuel tank skid at the same time for 15% off and picked up their overloading rock sliders with top plate, kick out, and DOM tubing at a later time.


When I inspected the skid plates and bumper upon delivery, I found two areas where the powder coating had been rubbed off. The delivery guy admitted that they were stacked on top of each other, which the packaging stated do not do, so not CBI’s fault. I choose to just touch it up with some RustOleum since I was planning on banging them up anyways. The rock sliders, and bumper had no such issues from shipping. I installed the skid plates and rock sliders by myself in a couple of hours, and it went pretty smooth but it would have been much easier and quicker with another person.


For the front bumper, as a daily driver I knew I wanted to a covert front bumper and just had to decide if I wanted a bull bar or not. Ultimately I ended up going with a bull bar due to all the deer and elk around my neck of the woods.I prepped the vehicle for the bumper installation myself. I used an oscillating multi-tool to cut the bumper and cleaned up the cuts with a dremel and a deburring tool. I did take the extra step of installing some door edge guard along the perimeter of the cut. I installed my BajaDesigns S8 light bar and Smitty Built X20 Gen3 12K synthetic winch into the bumper myself and my buddy and my son helped me install the bumper onto the front of the vehicle, which took about 30 minutes.


I can say that the skid plates and the front bumper have been rock solid so far. I have been on a couple of trails where all have come into contact with rocks, and/or the ground. So far no dents, but I have scrapped off some of the powder coating. I haven’t had to use my rock sliders as “sliders” yet but they have performed well as steps and the full length and extended width make accessing the top of the vehicle for storage or setup/take down of the roof top tent much more convenient. I would highly recommend CBI as the products seem to be top notch, with clean welds, and good fitment.


The last piece of armor I need to get is a rear differential skid which CBI doesn’t make so I think I am going to go with Bud Built for that one and will update the thread once I get one installed.

 

nice build and info!!