Skid plate on TRD Sport Premium

I want to install a skid plate on my TRD Sport Premium to replace the cheap felt "plate". I feel better protection is needed from basic road debris or ice and snow as there is nothing protecting the radiator mount. I'm hesitating between 2 models and was looking for advice from some of you who may have installed one.

1- The Victory 4x4 skid plate. It doesn't require the purchase of a cross member as it uses the recovery hook bolts to secure it at the front. My only concern there is installing it with my Bonobo front recovery hooks. I'm not sure if they'll fit given the down angle of the front part of the skid.
https://www.victory4x4.com/product/VT4SD-GN.html

2- The RCI skid and cross member.
https://rcimetalworks.com/product/engine-skid-plate-4th-gen-tacoma/

Both are offered in aluminum (which is best for our Canadian winters) and cost roughly the same.

Thoughts?

 

I went with the RCI crossmember and skid. Figured the extra support underneath would be beneficial. Skid arrives tomorrow but the crossmember seems like a nice solid piece.

 

Did you get steel or aluminum? Please post pics when you get it and have it installed! Thanks!

 

I went with the steel to save a little money buying something the truck should have come with from the factory. I will for sure get some pictures of it tomorrow, I plan to get it installed as soon as they drop it off.

 

I have the Rough Country front shackle kit (https://www.roughcountry.com/product/toyota-tacoma-front-shackle-kit-73126). I ordered the RCI front cross member while I was waiting for the shackle kit to arrive. I have come to discover that I must cut notches out of the shackles to allow the cross member to work. I might just forget about the skid plate.

 

Skid arrived today, the steel one not surprisingly is pretty heavy. Took me a while to get it on using basic hand tools. Started trying to lift it into place to get the center bolts started and nope. Got the bottle jack from behind the rear seat and that was a huge help. Shouldn’t have left all of my tools in Tampa when I moved…

Definitely a solid and quality piece offering a lot more underbody protection. You can see just how small that flimsy felt piece is next to this bad boy. Overall very happy with this purchase and a crossmember that wasn’t ridiculously priced like another company.

 

Another less-expensive aluminum option:

 

I was under the impression that the trd skid plate for the 3rd gen wouldn’t bolt up on a 24.

 

IdahoYota, you wasted no time getting it installed. It looks great! I too am impressed with the quality and design of the RCI products.
I got mine delivered today, but I'll install it tomorrow. (My FedEx deliveries don't arrive until late in the day.)

 

If you got the steel it’s a little bit of a job getting it put on alone but it is worth it.

Unfortunately, crawling underneath the truck to install it, I realized how many other things aren’t protected at all. Guess I’ll be ordering some more skids eventually.

 

My Victory 4x4 will be here on Monday, just got shipping notification this morning.

 

Unfortunately, crawling underneath the truck to install it, I realized how many other things aren’t protected at all. Guess I’ll be ordering some more skids eventually.[/QUOTE]
These A-Arm skids look trick, may have to start a wish list.

 

Thanks for the pics and comments on the RCI skid! Looks awesome alright, and like you said, leaps and bounds over that flimsy board! I think you have made up my mind!

 

OK IdahoYota, 'got it installed. And you were right that at 60+lbs (for steel) it is a bit unwieldy to wrestle with on the driveway. I used a creeper and a bottle jack, but it fit like a glove once properly aligned. And the RC front shackle brackets (slightly modified) are hereby compatible with RCI front skid. Next on my list are a set of BFG KO3's.

 

Looks good @DRB777 , glad it wasn't too much of a hassle to get installed. Tires is my next upgrade, I am still between the K03 and ATW4. I have experience with the K02 on jeeps which was a good tire but I am still researching and trying to make up my mind. What size K03 do you plan to go with?

 

While we're talking aftermarket front skid plates, I looked at quite a few and found that the way the Victory and Talons skid plates attach at the front, both end up restricting any other attachment to the two front frame "horns". That is, you'd be limited to the OEM flat recovery loops (or something similar) but certainly not the Rough Country front shackles. That's why I steered away from them. The CBI front skid looks interesting and supposedly includes a cross member with the skid. But I couldn't locate a source that didn't grossly overcharge for shipping ($300 to the central US).
The alum. RCI skid version would be fine I'm sure, but I choose steel for several reasons. 1. cheaper 2. stronger and 3. black powder coat finish.
I have an '07 FJ cruiser w/ an AL skidplate, and I don't like the way it looks and easily shows grime. And with the "black-out" trend in styling, to me, the black just looks better than a white/alum color. 'Just my opinions/observations.

 

I currently have a set of 16" KO2's on my 2nd gen TRD OR. While they're not perfect, they are easily the best tires I've ever had. I'm looking at the KO3 265/70-17 (E) size, anything larger/wider doesn't fit my needs/wants. Not too many size choices are available yet, but more are scheduled.

 

That sumbitch has been used..like trying to count the growth rings on a 200 year old tree

 

Does the plate have to come off for oil and filter changes?

 

There is an access panel to get to the filter. Haven't done an oil change yet but does look like it would be a little tight leaving it on.