1st Gen Tacoma Skid Plate Build

Hey so I’m pretty new to TW still, but I wanted to put this post out there in hopes it reaches lots of people! So I just recently designed and built a skid plate for my 02’ Tacoma and wanted to show the process. I started with some poster-board and quickly reached for foam-board to hold a better shape, I spent about 6 hours getting measurements and correct angles. This mounts to factory locations and doesn’t require any drilling. Built with basic tools and spray paint. If people are interested in this build and enough people wanted a template I would be interested in starting to sell them possibly (at a very reasonable price). Please send feedback! Thank you

 

Looks Awesome! Is it 3/16" (7 gauge) or 1/4"?

 

I made mine from 1/8” plate, I don’t do much off-roading and rock smashing. I mostly wanted to keep debris and such out when I do go off-road. Also snow in the winter.

 

Draw it up on CAD, and sell the file on Etsy or something.

 

If that's the intended use, would aluminum be a better choice?

*Full Disclosure - My shop builds skid plates, and other parts for several well known name brand companies. And your design looks well thought out from a manufacturing standpoint.

 

I like that idea. I will look into that

 

If you need assistance let me know; I do my stuff on Fusion360

 

Aluminum would have been a nice option. I like working with steel and also like the price. $93 for the 4’x4’ sheet I bought!

 

I think it would be awesome to do, I don’t have much (or any) experience on a cad program. I like the idea of selling a build plan through Etsy. How can we make this happen??

 

PM me and we can go over it

I do make stuff using my CNC plasma table but have steered away from skid plates due to lack of cut area (size)

Business could start slow from the Etsy side but truth be told, I don't think I saw 1st Gen skid files on there so you could have something

I'd pose the interest (once you have the file) to offer it on the marketplace here as some may be able to make their own from home

 

Looks good, and I would be interested, but NO WAY will I have a skid plate that has to be removed to change my oil!

 

I’ve thought of this. There is an area (hole) that you can cut to allow access to drain your oil. Or do what I do and buy an oil valve that allows you to drain your oil at the flip of a lever! Either way you’d be able to leave this skid attached

 

I’d be interested depending on what the price ends up being.

 

Was thinking $15-$20 for plans / cad files

 

I don’t want to get deleted from this thread so I’m specifying that I’m not selling these over this thread, I’d post in the marketplace for sale

 

Very nice. I like that.

 

Cool I’m glad people are interested. I’m working on getting cad files and I’ll post into that

 

How are you getting around not getting oil on the skid plate when you remove the filter? Serious question.

 

OP intends to add access to the oil drain plug; already got that part drawn up.

But getting a skid plate off isn't really a big deal; I had a Budbuilt that weighed over 55lbs

 

Nice work man, things you build yourself are such a gratifying thing, save money, use it and abuse it knowing you could build it again