Skid Plate - Necessary?

I just purchased a semi basket case 2004 SR5 4X4 for rehabilitation. The only off road duty it will see is on the beach. The skid plate was removed prior to my purchase. I was looking into installing a new one, but I'm wondering if it serves any purpose other than protection from tree stumps, boulders, etc, which won't be an issue for me.

 

It also acts as a decent splash guard for the bottom of the engine bay.

 

Do you live close to the beach? Are there lots of puddles or rain on the roads you drive? It's a unique type of sucky feeling when you instantly loose a power steering belt driving through a puddle in the rainy season.


Otherwise if that's not a concern and you're gunna drive the beach often I'd personally leave it off so I could drive up on ramps when I get home and wash the underside of my truck

 

Sometimes there is debris that ends up on the roadways that could cause harm to your undercarriage. Things like the oil pan and radiator are vulnerable to puncture. I'd at least get a stock front skid plate back on.

 

The '02 I bought 10 years ago had OEM skid plates, one of the first things I took off. Been driving without them ever since, including lots of conservative offroading. No ill effects or broken stuff, and every time I need to work on anything underneath I save having to pull the damn things off. I would suggest - fagettaboutit!

 

Mine has been off for 2 years, and its ok.

But. The bottom tank of the radiator is exposed and I don't like that. One piece of well aimed road debris and it'll be a crappy day.

 

... usually can be avoided and steered around but that one time and i saw it in front of me on a very busy high-speed roadway, they can come out of nowhere!

 

All good points on both sides. I don't need anything heavy duty. Where can I find a budget aftermarket plate?

 

That's actually what the factory call it. Look at the parts diagrams and it's a "splash guard" not a skid plate.

Just keep your eye out in the BST section for a used factory one. People are taking them off and installing "real" skid plates all the time.

If you want a "budget" skid plate, you're going to have to make your own. Which requires welding of course. I spent over $200 just on the material (3/16" steel). 1/8" is still thicker than the OEM "splash guard" but IMO, if you're going to build one, do it with 3/16".

 

This^ Unless you don’t mind changing ac idler pulleys

 

We are not talking a real skid plate those stupid tool catchers.

The first time I dropped a Snap On Ratchet it went in the scrap pile I think it got used in a Plasma demo

That was about 120,000 miles ago.

Then my off Road Adventures are my drive way and start up job sites

 

Really handy when the oil filter slips out of your hand and the pan catches it, plus all the oil within......spend the next few days listening to people "Hey Buddy, Looks like yer Toyoter has the drips".....mine had been off for a couple of years. Still have them if anybody would like them.

 

What kind of shape is it in? Mines rusted out

 

I've got at least 1 set. Located in Burlington VT area.

Not worth selling but I can't bring myself to scrap perfectly fine stock skid plates. No adoption fee. Free to a good home.

 

I wouldn't say it's a need considering most cars don't have them. But it's definitely nice for peace of mind.

 

That's very kind of you. If I'm heading up that way I will have to reach out to you.

 

They are in really good shape since I was battling an oil leak from the distributor due to a bad O-ring they were always covered in oil. When I got my Shrockworks bumper they did not fit anymore so I just put them aside and left them. They are still gooey from the oil.

 

Nice. I used to live in Burlington from 91-94.

 

All I can ever think about when someone ask if something is necessary. lol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm7Bn36NdkA

 

Burn.....You're right