Amazon/Ebay skid plates are trash.

[PNWkip]

A handful of companies out there are selling the same generic Chinese front engine skid plate and slapping their logos or designs on it. I purchased one thinking it was a reputable company and it showed up with chipped powder coating and within 6 weeks it began to rust in multiple places on both the plate and the logo, even in places that didn't have chipping initially. I'm not the only one who's experienced this and I'd bet money on more poor reviews popping up as time goes on.
I won't go into detail about my experience with the company I purchased from or their complete lack of customer service and product support, but I will say that it was astonishingly bad and essentially a waste of time and money.
Some examples of these companies that seem to be using this skid or skid design are APC21 , Maxpeedingrods , JURPLIX , and Tuning parts master. The steel is soft and cheap 14 ga that crushes beneath the provided hardware before you even reach half of torque spec. The powder coating is weak and all of the hardware is low quality.
If you live in a dry climate and only drive on roads, this should be ok for you, but there are much better options out there. If you're on a budget, rough country is $150 and Dirt King is $180. But my advice would be to spend the little bit of extra money on something that is high quality like OEM, Victory 4x4, Talons Garage, RCI, Greenlane, etc. Those skids are made by people who care about their products, their reputations, and their customers.

Sponsored

 

[izzy]

I think skids between $500-1000 isn't outrageous for a nicely welded piece of steel/aluminum that will probably last the lifetime of your rig... it's protecting shit that costs a lot more than it.

If you are really thrashing skids so much so that you have to replace them, you are probably not driving a 2024 truck. If you are, you can afford to replace them.

I went with CBI and I'm pretty happy with my full skid setup. Full skids are also probably worth the investment. If you smack your transfer case on anything you're not gonna make it home.

Amazon is fine for like floor mats and cheap stuff

 

[PNWkip]

I think skids between $500-1000 isn't outrageous for a nicely welded piece of steel/aluminum that will probably last the lifetime of your rig... it's protecting shit that costs a lot more than it.

If you are really thrashing skids so much so that you have to replace them, you are probably not driving a 2024 truck. If you are, you can afford to replace them.

I went with CBI and I'm pretty happy with my full skid setup. Full skids are also probably worth the investment. If you smack your transfer case on anything you're not gonna make it home.

Amazon is fine for like floor mats and cheap stuff

I agree! I was just being cheap and didn't know much about what I needed when I first got the truck. Just wanted something nice to replace the OEM splash. Lesson learned! But lots of people buy these things and they fit perfectly and look nice initially, so just a good PSA for folks looking.

 

[izzy]

I agree! I was just being cheap and didn't know much about what I needed when I first got the truck. Just wanted something nice to replace the OEM splash. Lesson learned! But lots of people buy these things and they fit perfectly and look nice initially, so just a good PSA for folks looking.

Yeah at first I was looking at cheaper ones too before my independent mechanic recommended CBI.

I was like how expensive should a slab of aluminum be??

But yeah it does make a difference at the end of the day.

 

[PNWkip]

Yeah at first I was looking at cheaper ones too before my independent mechanic recommended CBI.

I was like how expensive should a slab of aluminum be??

But yeah it does make a difference at the end of the day.

I did salvage this one for now until I order my Victory 4x4s. Just gotta fix the over spray in the morning since I was running on 3 hours of sleep

 

[Sagebrush]

If you want one to actually protect, get the Toyota Trailhunter skid plate.

 

[PNWkip]

If you want one to actually protect, get the Toyota Trailhunter skid plate.

I think I'd go Land cruiser if I was going OEM. I dig that "Toyota" stamp!

 

[Sagebrush]

I dig that "Toyota" stamp!

You'll see it each time you change the oil.

 

[PNWkip]

You'll see it each time you change the oil.

Finally something that makes oil changes more bearable

 

[Lando]

I was very weary of cheap Amazon made in China junk. I just got the TRD Pro one for my Off Road. It was expensive, and I will keep it if I update my Tacoma next year. After taxes it was $690 Cdn or $500 US.

 

[PNWkip]

I was very weary of cheap Amazon made in China junk. I just got the TRD Pro one for my Off Road. It was expensive, and I will keep it if I update my Tacoma next year. After taxes it was $690 Cdn or $500 US.

Good call! Bet it looks great. I was torn between a few high quality plates after this and hours of being down the research rabbit hole. I still love the OEM Landcruiser skid. During a 25% off sale it would be a steal.

 

[Wife bought my 24 TRD]

That's how, I will use Amazon as a example get you. Great picture, price, and fake reviews.
I have made similar mistakes with my 1st gen Toyota, long before Amazon there used to be a thing called magazines that they sold parts out of and they did the same thing with shiny pictures. And great ride ups to get you to buy their crap .
Finally as an older adult, I realize that you get what you pay for, and best to save your money and buy, OEM or high quality aftermarket.
I have gone with quality products from
KING,DOBINSON, TOTAL CHAOS, BLACK RINO, YOKAHAMA, CBI, PRINSU PRO, RCI, BACKWOODS ADVENTURE, ARB, AUXBEAM, WARN.
Everything so far, installed as it should without drilling any extra holes, and looks clean, and functions as well.

If I was to give anyone advice out there, I would say, be patient and save your money to buy what you truly want, not what you can afford now.
Most of the time instant gratification bites you in the ass.
I went with the skid plates Backwards Adventure recommended, too mount up to their high clearance bumper. A full set of RCI aluminum skids, and was a straightforward install.
I also installed a fomoto valve to make old oil changes easier.

 

[PNWkip]

That's how, I will use Amazon as a example get you. Great picture, price, and fake reviews.
I have made similar mistakes with my 1st gen Toyota, long before Amazon there used to be a thing called magazines that they sold parts out of and they did the same thing with shiny pictures. And great ride ups to get you to buy their crap .
Finally as an older adult, I realize that you get what you pay for, and best to save your money and buy, OEM or high quality aftermarket.
I have gone with quality products from
KING,DOBINSON, TOTAL CHAOS, BLACK RINO, YOKAHAMA, CBI, PRINSU PRO, RCI, BACKWOODS ADVENTURE, ARB, AUXBEAM, WARN.
Everything so far, installed as it should without drilling any extra holes, and looks clean, and functions as well.

If I was to give anyone advice out there, I would say, be patient and save your money to buy what you truly want, not what you can afford now.
Most of the time instant gratification bites you in the ass.
I went with the skid plates Backwards Adventure recommended, too mount up to their high clearance bumper. A full set of RCI aluminum skids, and was a straightforward install.
I also installed a fomoto valve to make old oil changes easier.

I love your rig. You pictures always make me want to hop on the ferry and drive to the coast.

 

[Wife bought my 24 TRD]

Thank you for the comment, the WIDOW is almost finished. Where are you located at?I'm always looking to go wheeling with someone.
I'm down in the Washington coast, Westport, Ocean Shores

 

[Taco Ji]

It all depends on what you’re using the skid plate for though. If it is used as intended to protect your underbody from damage during offroad adventures then it’s not a big deal. On the other hand if you’re using it for aesthetics to complement your truck then yea I’d get the OEM aluminum plates.

Sponsored