Skid plates came in

Ordered a set of Rival 4x4 aluminum skid plates. 1/4” aluminum, powder coated, armor door for oil filter and drain, covers front radiator to almost gas tank. Hope to get them installed tomorrow.

 

What was lead time?

 

Those look nice, post some pics once you have them installed.

 

They were in stock in their location in Texas. I had them in less than a week $800 including shipping.

 

Looks interesting. Let us know what you think of them!

 

Nice! You dont see too many talking about this set. Any thoughts on install and design appreciated once you get them installed.

 

Their shop is 30 minutes from me. I’ll be interested to hear more. Thanks

 

Pictures, please! Plus let us know how it goes trying to change the oil filter through the door that's installed in the plate.

 

Just north of me too. Might have to check them out.

 

Rival website doesn't state whether the engine skid works with KDSS...for those with it, it would be good to know.

 

Color matched to the vehicle?

 

Didn’t have time to install today. Hopefully one day this week. Quality looks on par with the Trd pro skid I had before.

Color does almost match the silver, it the color they all come. I’m debating spraying them black like I did my TRD skid.

 

Interested in pics as well! They look good!! Also interested in KDSS fitment

 

As far as kdss, the instructions say they fit the Lexus GX 460 and Prado. I really wanted to install them today but I didn’t have enough time to do it slowly and check all the clearances and take pictures.

 

Those are super nice........they may be nicer than my RCI Metalworx but the install will be your choice on that. LOVE the trap doors like mine.

 

Any thoughts on RCI vs Rival vs Victory Front Skids? I'm just starting slow and working my way around the vehicle. Would be a big help for oil changes to have those trap doors.

 

My aluminum RCI skid has an access panel for the oil filter, but just a small round hole for the oil pan drain. I wish it did come with a panel there.

 

I was set to order the RCI ones until I found these. I asked RCI to add the access but they wouldn’t. Budbuilt would but they were $1500 without powder coat.

 

I plan to add a Fumoto-type valve to the oil drain on the next oil change, so I imagine the lack of an access panel there isn't a big deal, but it would have been preferable. I paid less last August 2021 for my powder coated RCI than the Rival is now, but the current RCI skid price with shipping is about $52 more than Rival with shipping.

One other factor is I'm not all that fond of the silver/gray color of the Rival skid, which resembles the TRD skid. I like the black.

 

Just the front in aluminum was comparable RCI, Rival, LFD, Greenland. It’s the rear that became more expensive. I’m still debating on painting these black. My TRD skid went 4 years painted black with no issues.

 

Finally had time to install the skids. Everything went smoothly. Lining up some of bolts by myself was a little challenging. Rears used a few sticknuts, I’m used to them. Install instructions for the front were spot on. The instructions for the rears was photo copied unreadable junk.

 

Looks great, thanks for sharing. Gotta love the access holes for oil changes. Just wondering, what are those blue plugs on either side in the front?

 

They look good man. Thanks for following up.

 

Not sure what the blue plugs are. I meant to pop one out when it was on the truck to see if it have a purpose. I noticed that their gas tank skid had them too.
Overall I’m pleased, the build quality seems to be at least as good as my TRD skid was and covers more area.

 

Mine should be here today. Impatiently waiting for the BBT.


Update :
Got the back/transmission plate on. Ran into a couple of small issues. Which might have been my technique.
The center piece, which bolts under the Toyota angle braces needed a C clamp to get it close enough for the threads to catch. So, either loosen the front two bolts on each side to give it some play, or get longer bolts. If I do it again, I’d get longer bolts.
But, as was stated, it looks good. Front half should be here today. So I get to install it tomorrow.

 

Looks like you had to remove the front splash guard or whatever it is called under the radiator. Any concerns with removing that?

 

I removed it on my 17 as well when I installed the Trd pro skid. I think most skid plates require removal.

 

I just checked with Rival, and apparently it’s supposed to stay on. Oops. Their installation booklet isn’t the most clear at times. I guess that I’ll be putting it back on tomorrow morning.

 

I was more thinking along the lines of stuff getting up there since the guard is gone but @HarrisNC said he had to remove it when he put his TRD skid on so I'm assuming no issues with it gone.

 

The splash shield can be modified to fit, there’s a write up on the other site. I just never bothered. I might look at it again.

when you do the front skid make sure the front bracket is where it needs to be or the other bolts will never go in.