Install a TRD Pro skid plate on a sport or aftermarket ??

Was looking to install the TRD pro skid plate or if I should go with an after market skid plate/plates.

 

The TRD pro skid should fit all tundras from 2014 to the current model. Several after market manufacturers also make quality skidplates and offer them in steel as well as aluminum. Toyota only produces the skidplate for the engine. The after market skidplates that are available include transmission and gas tank protection. One of the best known manufacturers of aftermarket skidplates is RCI Off-road

 

I was considering the TRD skid also, love the look but it's price has me shopping the after market. It's wild, I got my wife's 4Runner TRD skid for around like $250 new shipped from BAM but the Tundra skid costs double that. Ouch

 

I think the RCI, CBI and some aftermarket ones are beefier than the pro and the pro needs trimmed if you add larger tires commonly.

I’ll be getting the RCI steel one at some point.

 

I'm sure it depends on which tires, wheels and amount of lift involved. However, the Pro skidplate is actually narrower at the back corners than the TRD Off Road skid plate. It needs no trimming even with the OEM +60 OR wheels. Many of us have the Pro skid plate with 285 or 295 tires on 18" wheels with no need for trimming.

The OP's truck is a Sport and those come from the factory with 20" wheels.

YMMV

 

The RCI aluminum engine skid is no beefier than the Pro engine skid. Both are 1/4”.
I have no experience with CBI, but would bet the same holds true for their skid also.

 

It seems one of big differences is the width of the TRD Pro in front where it actually attaches under the tow hooks. Seems like most of the other fabricators versions are not that wide. However, this is only what I have seen in photos.

 

All good input. I definitely will choose steel due to seeing enough pictures of bent aluminum ones on the forum (not that steel won’t also bend... just extra insurance) and I will eventually go to 35’s and don’t even want to think about rubbing being a potential issue with skid. There is a thread somewhere here on skid plate brands worth looking through @TexasLB

 

Well, hey if anyone’s interested in driving to Colorado Springs, I’m trying to sell mine. (Can’t post in Buy/Sell since I’m too new )

 

RCI the set is only a few bucks more than the TRD skid and the RCIs are far superior.

 

I chose the TRD skid because ultimately I know that I wont be at much risk for serious damage when I get on the trails. Most people really wont either. I wanted aluminum to avoid rust as well.

The one major thing the Pro skid has going for it is the fact that it is aluminum. The RCI skid is great at its price point, is much more robust as well (in steel). So those really seem to be the most competitive for value. The RCI aluminum option ends up costing the same as the Pro skid, to say its superior is a stretch though, as they're both 1/4" aluminum plate, both painted. Its really a matter of preference.

I would agree the steel RCI is superior to the aluminum Pro skid in terms of protection, but if you're in the market for aluminum skids for rust prevention or having something lighter its a tough call, or a matter of taste.

The Pro skid is actually a little wider than the RCI one as well, but only by about an inch.

 

It seems Toyota may have changed this issue on the 21s.

The old OR plate was wider and had to be cut, the current ones no longer have the wings. The Pro skids didnt need to be cut since they arent as wide at the front as the OR ones, but they are longer and offer more coverage on the center of the truck.
Pro


Old OR


21 OR

 

I’m running 295s on 18s, i have front & rear sway bars don’t see those as an issues but haven’t seen anybody posting that they had an issue with those getting in the way yet .

 

Appreciate all the info ..tough call wanted to keep all Toyota parts but def liking the look of RCI

 

I went RCI - it's rather beefy! Weighs probably 4x the OEM flimsy plate, and twice as long. I love it.