Which skid plate system (3rd gen) offers the best transfer case protection?

There's a few options on the market for skid plates but I'm having issue tracking down which one offers the best coverage of the transfer case.

I was considering the Ironman 4x4 skids but I heard it leaves the t-case pretty vulnerable still.

I know both RCI and CBI offer the oil drain access panel but how's their coverage?

I was also considering the Allpro system but haven't heard much if anything on their skids (and they don't offer the access panel)

Im up for taking others into consideration but these were the ones I've been looking at. Please share your experience and if possible provide photos of your current skid setup.

 

I have RCI On a 2016 They have worked well for me Put them on in late 2016 Is still working fine I did get the steel one Because they slide better over rocks. The only thing Is that the clearance for the exhaust is very small I have banged it hard a couple times on rocks And had to take it off bend it back with a sledgehammer to git the clearance back it make a vibration noise when the plate is touching the exhaust pipe.Thats the small diff skid

 

I really like the RCI's! I noticed that there was an option for an exhaust reroute, but I wasn't sure where people were relocating the exhaust with their system.

 

There's a couple of threads on hear about re routing I'm not to familiar with them get sliders at the same time if possible because the rocker panels are just as venerable if not more

 

Yeah I'm running the Metal Tech OPOR sliders, they've got to be some of the toughest ones available.

 

RCI is a 3 plate system to give you coverage to mid truck covers everything important can also add the gas tank skid if needed. Had them on 2 vehicles work very well.

 

I’m running the Ironman 4x4 steel skids. They are built very well and can take a beating. They do only cover up past the exhaust crossover. They had a great Black Friday special. Got all three skids for the price of the trd pro skid.

 

Yeah they do a sale every few weeks and their flagship store is around the corner, so I wouldn't have to pay for shipping.

 

Another RCI fan for their t-case skid

 

Since they are so close I would check out the flagship store and see in person. I was very impressed with my skids for the money.

 

Another RCI vote, hard to beat their prices for what you get imo especially with their black Friday deals. I am running the TRD skid with RCI's transmission and t-case skid with the exhaust reroute.

 

Whatever you do, get the exhaust re-route first. I didn't and wished I had. Now I bang the skid plate in that area more than anything else. and the reroute is not too expensive--less than $200 and fast to do in an exhaust shop.

 

Do you have a link or anything detailing the re-route?

 

RCI for me
Re route full skids

 

I have the RCI aluminum trilogy and it is really good. The only drawback, as mentioned, is that when the transfer case skid gets gravel or mud in it then it sort of make a direct connect from the frame to the exhaust and it makes a noise. Easily fixed when you get home with a pressure washer. And as with all skids, they are really good at collecting leaves, mud, sand, branches, and other debris from bog holes. I have had the front skid off at least once per month since I installed them to chisel the two inches of crud out that trail driving gifts to me. On the up side it has brought some wonderful sedimentary deposits from throughout the state to my back yard!

 

Just enter exhaust reroute into the search at the top of the page. It will pull up a lot of photos and info. Basically, if you look under your Taco you will see the exhaust pipe is the lowest thing near the center of the truck. You want to move it up so it is more in line with the rest of the undercarriage items.