Rough Country Front Skid Plate

Rough Country is out with their new 4th gen front skid plate. It's 2 piece, 11 gauge steel, black powder coated, (but the weight isn't listed). Unlike most others, the front attachment doesn't use a cross member, but the same lightweight holes of the OEM fiber composite "gravel guard". Without access to the oil filter & drain, removal of the front half would be required for an oil change. According to their ad, "models with cross members will have to be cut out to fit" But at a price of $149 (with free s&h), it is very competitively priced.
It appears their different front attachment is designed to accommodate their front recovery shackle mounts.

 

What is it with RC and the front cross-member? This is the second of their products that requires you to cut it out.

 

Yes, they could have modified the shackle brackets a bit. But that would have required them to admit that they weren't quite right. I'm just not sure the more forward (non-cross member) holes are strong enough for the skid plate.

Just a slight notch, shown above, allows the cross-member, shackle bracket, and (maybe) stronger front skid attachment.
Each after-market supplier seems to take a bit different path. At least their prices are more reasonable.
And maybe more forward, comprehensive designing would have considered better access for oil changes.

 

It's not like they have a Tacoma 4G to actually look at in whatever Chinese factory engineers and builds these. For not much more, you can get an actual OEM one that doesn't require surgery to fit.

 

Nothing I could find on the RC website to verify where this skid is made. 11 gauge equivalent to 1/8".

 

This could be the ticket for those of us who have removed the Cow Catcher, don't have a crossbar, and don't plan to bounce our trucks off rocks, but do want to replace the OEM felt engine guard. Someone should take one for the team and order it and then report back here. Or maybe I will.

 

I was thinking this also but still makes it a PITA to do those oil changes. I also just want to replace the felt and really only need ABS protection. I may go the crossmember and plastic route. No need to also add a bunch of weight when she is just my DD with limited off roading. We will see how the felt helps up through winter.

 

You already have to remove the OEM felt guard to do oil changes, so it's not any worse than that.

And how much does an aftermarket crossbar weigh? Are you really saving weight going that route? I don't know the answer btw.

 

Just heavier and if too heavy then way harder to do it solo was my point.

 

“Show us where the cross member touched you, Rough Country.”

 

If it's really 1/8" thick I can't imagine it weighs a ton. But this is why we need someone to take one for the team.

 

And if your handy, you could easily cut a hole to access a Fumoco valve, and probably cut another hole for the filter access. 'Just thinking out loud.

 

Just out of curiosity, does anyone have photos of the comparison (with the felt or otherwise cover removed) between the Taco with and without the crossmember being referenced? I've seen an aftermarket add-on, but no photos of the oem setup.

 

I think this maybe is the 4G OEM crossmember (photo from the CBI website). It appears to attach to the frame well above the base of the "horn".
('Haven't found one w/o a skid plate attached.)

 

Alright you slackers, this thread is almost forty-eight hours old and not one of you has stepped up to take one for the team.



So I decided to be the Guinea pig and order one to see if it's the solution all of us crossbar-challenged people have been praying for daily. I will report back here after it is installed (assuming I'm not killed during installation) and I expect a Christmas card from each and every one of you.

 

Ha! Thanks Squid! I was going to order one, but it looked a bit "cheap" in the pic.

Which makes perfect sense because, at $149, it IS cheap - compared to the Toyota plate at least. I just want to replace the cardboard and felt cover that is so visible now that my plastic air dam is gone!

It is all about appearance for me. I do not expect to go boulder-bashing anytime soon...

 

You're starting to sound like robmotive, be careful!

 

Don't know if anyone is still interested but here's the cross-member on an Off Road.

 

OK, good point. Let me rephrase...

I want to get rid of that silly felt cover because it makes me feel like I am wearing one of these: