Why You May Want To Consider Skid Plates

Great to know - thanks @WanderlostOverland @Cowboy59

 

Yes, really good to know, my tank skid looks kinda like yours. I ordered an RCI tank skid mid Nov. after I saw your install video.

Thanks.

 

just got notified my skids will be delivered Saturday - just ordered them this week

 

I too was in Vermont in October, and had the exact same experience. I also was very happy that I had my RCIs under me.

Those roads are no joke, even on green trails I was banging my undercarriage quite a bit. Made me really appreciate the skids, and also annoyed me at how low the 4runner actually is. Also, occasionally I'd come off something, the front suspension would compress, THEN I'd bang the skid plate (I hate the way you lose ground clearance with IFS as the suspension works).

Me and a guy driving at Tacoma got separated from the main group, and ended up finding our own route. At one point we had to drive down this washed out rocky hill, he spotted me down, then walked over and said dude, your rear tire was like two feet off the ground! I was kind of surprised, the 4Runner actually felt nice and smooth and level coming down that hill.

It was fun, but after a few hours of banging around I was happy when we got to the paved road to make our way to grab pizza and beer.

 

@Trail Runnah
Hopefully you said something to the leader. It’s bad form to leave members of the group behind. Glad to hear it worked out ok

Cheers
Mike

 

Yeah, it was all good. Our group purposely split off into two directions, me and the Tacoma were the least modded and on stock suspension, so we opted to take an easier go around that was supposed to meet up with the rest of the main group on the main trail. Unfortunately the go around turned out to be flooded, and then we couldn't reach the main group on our radios. We ended up turning back, and then finding our own route. Luckily the driver of the Tacoma was pretty well set up with navigational aids and maps so we still had a good time and got to where we needed to be.

To be honest, I was really disappointed with the radios, we were using GMRS, which was the recommended radio in the area, and they turned out to be pretty useless.

 

Still debating which direction to go. Steel slides better while aluminum ends up with big gouges...but aluminum is so much lighter...

I'll decide on sliders once I have the 4runner and figure out if I need them to double as a step or not. Skid plates will come after that.

 

I have some skids on order - should arrive tomorrow. Thought about getting some sliders but the steps that came with mine are holding up quite well - a lot better than the stock skid plates. Am I missing something?

 

I would definitely go steel for sliders. If you're name is any indication, you're in Maine, and there's a ton of rocks in New England.

Do you follow any of the various Toyota 4x4 and Overlanding Facebook groups based in the Northeast? You might want to post this question there, see what people active in those groups recommend for sliders.

 

You also desperately need some POR15 on that frame. Very rusted

 

My RCI skids were just delivered, 11 days after placing the order on 12/31. Still waiting on the 4Runner though!

 

That is a good idea. I'm not in any of those groups yet, I'll probably look some up when I get a chance.

 

Keep up the great videos!

 

We will! Thanks for watching!

 

You are absolutely right @roadrunner44.

 

Got my RCI full skid set installed. I didn't get the gas tank cover - might just try to repair the original. I went with the steel since they are supposed to be stronger and slide better not to mention cheaper...I might get the gas tank cover if they run another special soon.

 

what steps are those

 

When you say repair, does that mean removing it and beating the dents out, reinstalling?

 

that's what I was thinking - I have to get some body work done anyway since someone hit me while I was parked - thinking of having the shop do it while they are at it - I think someone else said they did that here....not a good idea?

 

Not sure - I heard someone call them nerf boards but could check the paperwork over the weekend if that helps.

 

Another area of protection you all might want to consider is the ABS, if you lose one sensor you lose 4WD.
I have Jomax Custom ABS protection on my 4R. Phoenix based company.
Jomaxcustoms.com

 

Got a pic? I've never heard of that.

 

No reason I can think of not to try it. Unless you just need a good excuse to buy a new gas tank skid.

 

Original sticker calls the step "black crushed oval step board" @Late Life Crisis

 

Those are pretty trick! Never seen them before, thanks for posting.