What have you done to your 5th Gen 4Runner today?

Removed my TRD and RCI skid plates then installed Cali Raised's front skid plate.

 

@Ncousins1 is your wife single?

 

Those Cali Raised ones looks very close to my RCIs

 

I got the rci front skid but also have the filler plate from the bumper. Fills that gap nicely

 

Yep, they're quite similar, I ran a full set of the steel RCIs on my previous 4Runner. I've had a terrible time with the fitment for RCI's T-case skid on my '22 that I've never been comfortable with and the crossmember for Cali Raised's T-Case skid uses a different point on the frame to mount up, that's what prompted me to switch.

 

Yep fitment of RCI T-Case cross member is pretty bad.

Did you go with steel? Both my TRD ORP & Pro got RCI aluminum because of the weight saving. But recently I saw if aluminum hit a rock its pretty much replace job vs steel you can get a hammer and fix it. I guess I have to play safe with my aluminum.

 

Was just about to purchase the transfer skid. Glad I seen this post

 

Yep, I went back to steel this time around for that same reason. I had Steel on my SR5, then aluminum on my Pro, now back to steel. I liked the weight savings of the aluminum, but, I'm liking the sturdiness of steel more.

 

is that a C4 bumper?

 

Yes Sir.

 

Who is the you you're referring to?

 

I have had rattling noise in my 4R that sometimes seems to be in the driver door and sometimes sounds like it coming from the firewall. I have checked those locations and could not find anything loose. You have me thinking it may be the splash guards.

 

Added protection to the shocks. Super easy install

 

Forgive my ignorance, what in tarnation are those?

 

essentially a skid plate for the shocks since they are one of the lowest point and prone to get hit by big rocks easily

 

Where is the drain for those things? You want it to rust out and be destroyed by that means?

 

Simmer. They sit at an angle. I would drill a hole for safety sake but it going to get filled with mud, sand, etc, so the angle makes sense.

 

I don't think I've seen those shock skids before. What brand are they?

 

Added a snorkel after my last trip

 

Yes it sits at an angle and there are some gaps which helps a lot. Next time I go in mud or through a river crossing I’ll inspect it and see how it looks. I’ll drill a hole if necessary. It takes 5 min to remove and put back so not a big deal for the protection it provides

 

http://fjtoymanoffroad.com/products/

Initially made for the fj cruiser but they’re a great fit on the 4R!

 

To prevent scratchies like this:


Depending on how the skid is braced against the structure that the bolt is attached to, it could potentially protect the shock bolt from bending on a bad impact.

Although, depending on design specifics, I suppose if a skid plate doesn't brace itself well against the rest of the structure, it could make the bolt more vulnerable to bending.

@semprenissart , this has another bolt that goes through the mount structure coming off the axle, correct? Does it look like impact forces are primarily imparted to that? Seen pics it on the fjtoyman site that shows a bolt on inside part of the structure, but it’s not clear if you have throughbolts on yours.

 

Loved my Nautical Blue, but hated trying to keep it clean.

 

yes I have a bolt that goes inside the structure. The skids are like an upside down T shape. And the extra bolt goes through the vertical part of the ”T”.

so there are 2 bolts (one of them is the stock one) going through each skid (to split the forces and prevent bending bolts?)
I have not put these to the test but it looks like a simple yet solid design to me.

the picture below shows the added bolt; the stock one being on the other side (away from the picture) which can been seen on the other photos on my previous post

 

Better pics on the post below

 

Awesome, thanks! I've been contemplating some shock skids. I'll add these to my list, I like the look of these.

 

Does anyone sell skids for your shock skids?

How else am I going to protect the skids from getting ruined?

 

Those with shock boots should ditch them. It'll trap water and dirt and prematurely corrode shock shaft and compromise the seal. At least open them up once a season and clean in there. Moisture will ruin the post even if kept clean because it is contained inside the boot.

 

I prefer to have them on to protect the chromed shafts from erosion from sand/gravel. These boots came on my Dobinson IMS shocks. They have holes in the bottom to let things drain and breath.

I have a pic below showing what occasional gravel roads and off-road miles can do to this general area. This happened through a wool-wax crust that was thick enough to actually take a bit of abuse (any areas that arent black is my woolwax crust). Given the erosion that has stripped the paint in some spots, I’m taking my chances and risk possible corrosion, over getting the shaft nicked or worn. Cleaning things out once a year is a good
idea though, and I should probably do that.

Wouldnt have minded if they just put on a piece of plastic to shield the front face of the shaft, like they’ve done on dirt bikes for the last 20 years.