RCI vs GreenLane Skid Plates

[kerner]

I'm wanting to put some real skid plates on my LC and debating between the RCI and the Greenlane. I'll be getting the aluminum in either one, most likely the bare metal. Cost is comparable for the engine & transmission skids. The RCI has access holes for maintenance, although I suspect pulling them makes the job easier. I know both engine skids mount to the radiator mount - GreenLane says they do additional gussets to strengthen that area. I've got the GreenLane sliders so I know the quality of their work, have RCI stuff on my GX470 and have never had an issue.

Anyone seen both or have opinions on one of them? Also with aluminum is there any reason to powder coat them?

 

[Markarian421]

The Victory 4x4 plates mount to the frame at the recovery points instead of the radiator. If I upgrade my plates I’d go with those. They come in steel or aluminum.

 

[mkg]

One thing I dont love about the Victory, the rear bolt heads are fully exposed/protrude and would come into contact with anything below.. Greenlane are counter sunk and would clear obstacles.
I went with Greenlane because shipping was easier and no exchange rate. (Im in Canada) Got it powdercoated to be a bit more stealthy, although the raw may match the front valance better.

 

[kerner]

Ended up getting a deal on the upgraded Toyota skids. They're probably beefy enough for what I'll be doing and were a lot cheaper.

 

[dtxlcfe]

Ended up getting a deal on the upgraded Toyota skids. They're probably beefy enough for what I'll be doing and were a lot cheaper.

I also have these skids but the 2 front bolts mount to the radiator bracket which will break under enough stress. stupid design IMO and I will be looking to upgrade to victory. looks like the Greenlane mount this way as well and I know the RCI ones do too. understand you may not need as intense of an option for your use so whatever works for you, go for it.

 

[kerner]

I also have these skids but the 2 front bolts mount to the radiator bracket which will break under enough stress. stupid design IMO and I will be looking to upgrade to victory. looks like the Greenlane mount this way as well and I know the RCI ones do too. understand you may not need as intense of an option for your use so whatever works for you, go for it.

Yep, that's been my only concern about a lot of them, I'll probably try to fab some reinforcement in the future. For forest service roads and passes without crawling I'm not too worried, just want to protect more than the stock ones, especially over the transmission.

 

[DeepDive]

I'm wanting to put some real skid plates on my LC and debating between the RCI and the Greenlane. I'll be getting the aluminum in either one, most likely the bare metal. Cost is comparable for the engine & transmission skids. The RCI has access holes for maintenance, although I suspect pulling them makes the job easier. I know both engine skids mount to the radiator mount - GreenLane says they do additional gussets to strengthen that area. I've got the GreenLane sliders so I know the quality of their work, have RCI stuff on my GX470 and have never had an issue.

Anyone seen both or have opinions on one of them? Also with aluminum is there any reason to powder coat them?

What's your take on the GreenLane sliders? Considering those. Seem well built and I like the fact that they weigh around half of what steel sliders weigh.

 

[kerner]

What's your take on the GreenLane sliders? Considering those. Seem well built and I like the fact that they weigh around half of what steel sliders weigh.

The build quality is very good. I have no worries with them and don’t use a hi-lift so that doesn’t concern me either

 

[yoadriantrd]

I also have these skids but the 2 front bolts mount to the radiator bracket which will break under enough stress. stupid design IMO and I will be looking to upgrade to victory. looks like the Greenlane mount this way as well and I know the RCI ones do too. understand you may not need as intense of an option for your use so whatever works for you, go for it.

YES!!! speaking from experience enough stress will def break the radiator support bracket. I currently have RCI steel skid paired with 24+ tacoma radiator support cross bar. I had to cut out my OEM support bracket in order for it to fit. You def want the skid to bolt or at least spread the load to the recovery points in order for them to be strong. utilizing only the radiator support bracket will more than likely end up in failure. I will be upgrading to C4 skid once available.

 

[the usarian]

What's your take on the GreenLane sliders? Considering those. Seem well built and I like the fact that they weigh around half of what steel sliders weigh.

Greenlane rick sliders are great. Then again I am not rock crawling.

 

[dtxlcfe]

YES!!! speaking from experience enough stress will def break the radiator support bracket. I currently have RCI steel skid paired with 24+ tacoma radiator support cross bar. I had to cut out my OEM support bracket in order for it to fit. You def want the skid to bolt or at least spread the load to the recovery points in order for them to be strong. utilizing only the radiator support bracket will more than likely end up in failure. I will be upgrading to C4 skid once available.

If my bracket isnt broken do I still need to remove it to install this one? have to cut it out? wondering if I can fit that new bracket and the victory skids.

 

[Rk1679]

If my bracket isnt broken do I still need to remove it to install this one? have to cut it out? wondering if I can fit that new bracket and the victory skids.

Good question. Also is the new bracket compatible with the FE skid? Bracket part #?

 

[dtxlcfe]

Good question. Also is the new bracket compatible with the FE skid? Bracket part #?

RCI Front Skidplate-Mounting Crossmember | 24-Present Tacoma

I believe this is what he got. Looks like not designed to replace the radiator bracket but supplement for mounting their plates maybe idk.

 

[Rk1679]

RCI Front Skidplate-Mounting Crossmember | 24-Present Tacoma

I believe this is what he got. Looks like not designed to replace the radiator bracket but supplement for mounting their plates maybe idk.View attachment 23172

Looks pretty stout and spreads the impact force to the frame. Not too expensive from RCI. Might be worth a try

 

[yoadriantrd]

If my bracket isnt broken do I still need to remove it to install this one? have to cut it out? wondering if I can fit that new bracket and the victory skids.

It will not fit, it's close in design but not an exact match. RCI may be making an LC specific cross bar at some point. for me it was just easier to cut off since it was already broken. there are other companies that already spread the load on the skid or avoid bolting to the radiator support bracket all together. but I think they are aluminum. I opted for steel since the trails where I live will chew up aluminum skid fast.

 

[yoadriantrd]

RCI Front Skidplate-Mounting Crossmember | 24-Present Tacoma

I believe this is what he got. Looks like not designed to replace the radiator bracket but supplement for mounting their plates maybe idk.View attachment 23172

correct, in non trd off road Tacoma models Toyota did not include a real support bracket it only comes with a felt protector so RCI created one to easily attach their skid. we thought it would bolt on to the LC but it had to be slight modified and the oem support bracket had to be cut off.

 

[flynncruiser]

Got it so can modify a Tacoma support bracket to work with RCI or wait for someone besides Victory to create skids that don’t use the radiator as a support bracket.

 

[Rk1679]

What modification is needed to fit the Tacoma cross bar to the LC and would the LC radiator support bracket have to be removed by either cutting or unbolting?

 

[Thx_1158]

Got it so can modify a Tacoma support bracket to work with RCI or wait for someone besides Victory to create skids that don’t use the radiator as a support bracket.

I just went ahead and ordered the Victory skids in aluminum.

 

[flynncruiser]

I just went ahead and ordered the Victory skids in aluminum.

Awesome! Can you let us know what the hole situation is for the oil drain is? It looks like there’s a removable piece for the oil filter but didn’t see a door for the drain hole.