Aftermarket Skids - KDSS and Diff Drop

I'm looking to get aftermarket skids just so that I don't have to deal with removing the skids to change the oil filter. It's a hassle specially with spacers that must be used with diff drop! Wondering which of the skid plates besides RCI will work with KDSS and diff drop 100%.

 

Is this a KDSS only thing with needing spacers for the skid plate and/or diff drop?

 

AFAIK it's not KDSS only thing.

 

I have a diff drop and have never had to remove any kind of spacers? It takes like 2 minutes to undo the bolts for the skid plate to access the oil filter. Just trying to make sense of what you’re trying to accomplish. Do you have spacers on your skid plate?

 

Some skids are not compatible with KDSS. As far as I know, most are compatible with diff drops. I think this question applies to anyone with KDSS and a diff drop.

I have KDSS but no diff drop. I only lifted 2.3" so it wasn't necessary. I can tell you that the SOS skids I bought were NOT compatible with KDSS. this led to me having a custom front skid built, which actually ended up better overall for me.

I believe RSG makes a KDSS skid, but can't confirm whether it's compatible with a diff drop. A few other manufacturers do as well. Your best bet is to confirm fitment with the manufacturer. I learned this the hard/expensive way.

 

Ahhhh thanks for clearing that up! What about OEM? It sounds like OP has an OEM skid and is trying to go aftermarket to make things easier?

 

Yes. I do have spacers on my skid plate. Without the spacers the skid cannot be installed. This is with Dobinson diff drop kit. Other kits may not need spacers I'm assuming.

Yup. I'm trying to avoid getting a skid and finding out that it wont work with my setup. I just trust an actual owner vs what the manufacturer has to say as far as fitment goes. Learn that the hard way lol (not 4runner related but still)

 

The OEM skids don't hold up well to regular use. after a few trips in some rocky trails, mine had definitely had enough.

I wish I could be more help. But, I haven't really heard of any manufacturers saying things were compatible when the weren't.

 

Victory4x4 skid was perfect for my kdss application.

 

Thanks. Do you also have a diff drop?

 

C4 says their skid is compatible with up to a 1" diff drop: https://c4fabrication.com/collections/4runner-2014/products/4runner-front-skid-plate-5th-gen-2010

 

No but I have the treaty oak Offroad kdss spacers.

victory4x4 was very responsive to questions I had. Give them a shout, I bet they can answer any questions quickly.

 

I went with RCI non KDSS

 

Do you have KDSS and a diff drop?

That is what the OP is asking about; skids that are confirmed compatible with both KDSS and a diff drop.

 

As stated non KDSS yes I do have a diff drop. RCI makes skids for both KDSS and non KDSS

 

Right. But the OP is looking for confirmed fitment with KDSS and a diff drop. Just wanted to confirm.

 

The skids that leave the frame supports in place will work with a diff drop without spacers. If the skid requires the frame members to be omitted, spacers will be required to get the clearance.

 

^ I'd say that is too simple a generalization.

The entire design of the skid plate must be taken into consideration.

Once you start looking *really* closely at the various aftermarket skid plate designs, you'll notice that they all achieve what they want in different ways.

OP just needs to start looking at skids and come up with some wants. Then confirm here or with manufacturer differential clearance. Since not all "diff drops" are equal, it may be a bit of a gamble in the end.

There is a good thread on the other 4Runner forum that lists just about every skid available. There was another good thread here, a few weeks back, that also had a lot of good info.

Can't help much off the top of my head because I'm non-KDSS, and as such, wasn't paying any attention to low-hanging KDSS compatible skids. For me (non-KDSS), the contenders were TRD Pro, M.O.R.E., HeftyFab, C4 Fabrication, and RCI.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I like CBI and C4 and considering the insane shipping costs for CBI I like C4 a little more. Sent both emails re my question.

 

C4 is currently quoting a 15 week lead time, just fyi.

 

Whatever brand you go with be sure to do the lift first because it drops the clearance down. I have a few marks from misjudging the clearance loss before I could get the 3" lift done.

 

I'm most likely going to go with RSG. C4 doesn't even quote delivery dates anymore and CBI's shipping $$ is just crazy. Just need to find out if Fumoto valve can be accesses without removing the RSG Skid. The hole looks kinda small..

 

I have KDSS, diff drop and installed the RSG skid plate today. Fits great.

 

Hi there , I have KDSS with an RSG skid plate, what I like to know is what brand of diff drop did you install? Also to all you out there who have an RSG skid plate a Fumoto oil drain valve can be installed and can be accessed without taking off the skid plate. There is a pre drilled hole in the plate where you can access the Fumoto valve.
Thanks.

 

Just a basic no name drop. I believe is something like this off Amazon-

$20 KSP Diff Drop, CNC Machined T6 Aircraft Billet Aluminum Differential Drop kit with skid plate drop spacer fit for Tacoma 4Runner 4WD

https://www.amazon.com/KSP-Machined...&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584207577333600&th=1

 

A diff drop is not needed ever.

 

I put a 23" preload on my kings though

 

The effect from a diff drop is minimal on the CVs and the drop rotates the diff down which pulls some lube away from the pinion bearing. If the front diff bearings are going to fail, they're going to fail. There's a thread now in T4R where it failed even after the ECGS bushing was installed

 

I’ve compared my 4runner with a diff drop to a friends 4Runner with same lift height and no diff drop and there was a substantial difference in the cv angles. Her cv angles were much more pronounced.

 

I was kidding by the way