RCI vs GreenLane Skid Plates

[Blue Bear]

Thanks for this. I've seen this vid. I don't really buy this guys total defense of his skids. Lots of good stuff built into them for sure, and I get it, but there are a ton of issues with the Tacoma's on broken radiator supports and some companies have fabricated reinforcements for them. For me..I'd rather bypass any potential issues and mount the skids to the tow points. It would be nice to have the counter sunk bolts for sure. If you look around, several manufactures have access panels for oil changes so you don't need to drop the skid at all. I guess it comes down to what you like...LOL

I have the Toyota OEM skid plate. It's four bolts to drop the skid, easy as pie. The oil absolutely shoots out of the drain hole, so removing the skid plate is a no brainer for me. I understand your concerns about the radiator, but I'm also satisfied with the response from Slee. Perhaps the reason we don't see anyone making a skid plate that attaches directly to the tow points is because it's not a better design? Since I don't have any experience designing skid plates, I'd rather ask the experts questions so I can make an informed choice of a quality skid plate. I recently installed the rock sliders from Slee and couldn't be happier with the quality, design, and support I've received from them. I know we have a ton of choices out there - Westcott, Dissent, RCI, NYTOP, GreenLane and many more. Based on my experience, I'd put Slee up there as one of the best in design, engineering, and customer support. Just my experience.

 

[Thx_1158]

I have the Toyota OEM skid plate. It's four bolts to drop the skid, easy as pie. The oil absolutely shoots out of the drain hole, so removing the skid plate is a no brainer for me. I understand your concerns about the radiator, but I'm also satisfied with the response from Slee. Perhaps the reason we don't see anyone making a skid plate that attaches directly to the tow points is because it's not a better design? Since I don't have any experience designing skid plates, I'd rather ask the experts questions so I can make an informed choice of a quality skid plate. I recently installed the rock sliders from Slee and couldn't be happier with the quality, design, and support I've received from them. I know we have a ton of choices out there - Westcott, Dissent, RCI, NYTOP, GreenLane and many more. Based on my experience, I'd put Slee up there as one of the best in design, engineering, and customer support. Just my experience.

Oh yeah...none of this was slamming one manufacture over another. It's great to get the scoop on different set ups. I made my choice for my reasons. and others for theirs. We don't know unless we exchange info.

 

[Rubicon15]

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.

Are the Toyota plates aluminum?

 

[Rubicon15]

There are a few folks out there who are offering skids that don't use the support bracket to mount. As mentioned Victory is one and I think there are a few others. I just went with Victory as the less modification I need to do to a part to make it fit, the better in my world. I'm not wearing the part or otherwise modifying design from the engineering standpoint. Same reason I wont buy rock sliders that you need to drill the frame to fit. Just my take...

Did you receive the new two piece Victory designed front skid? If so, what are your thoughts?

 

[Blue Bear]

Are the Toyota plates aluminum?

The Toyota plates are stamped steel with silver paint.

 

[surfishjoe]

The Toyota plates are stamped steel with silver paint.

Do you mind sharing where you purchased the factory plates from? If I could snag the factory set up on sale I think I am going that route for now.

 

[kerner]

Do you mind sharing where you purchased the factory plates from? If I could snag the factory set up on sale I think I am going that route for now.

I just got mine from the parts department at the local dealer. The OEM expanded skids are substantially thicker than the stock protection and provide much more coverage. I wouldn't in any way compare them to the heavier duty plates others produce, but depending on your use they may be fine.

 

[Blue Bear]

Do you mind sharing where you purchased the factory plates from? If I could snag the factory set up on sale I think I am going that route for now.

Buy online, pick-up locally.

Here's what I paid from Ed Martin Toyota with local pickup.

PT228-60242	Lndc Frskp	$313.50	1	$313.50
PT228-35241	Taco Lndc Skpl Under	$256.50	1	$256.50

 

[kerner]

Buy online, pick-up locally.

Here's what I paid from Ed Martin Toyota with local pickup.

PT228-60242	Lndc Frskp	$313.50	1	$313.50
PT228-35241	Taco Lndc Skpl Under	$256.50	1	$256.50

That's basically what I did too, just with the online order from the local dealer. I paid about $15 more than these prices and picked up the next morning.

 

[Thx_1158]

Mine are one piece aluminum. I love them. I got the transmission and transfer case skids as well. I think it’s a great product.

 

[Rubicon15]

Mine are one piece aluminum. I love them. I got the transmission and transfer case skids as well. I think it’s a great product.

Which skids did you install?

 

[Thx_1158]

Which skids did you install?

Sorry…I went Victory 4x4

 

[Rubicon15]

Sorry…I went Victory 4x4

I’m getting ready to pull the trigger on the Victory front skid. I like how it mounts to the tow hook mounting bolts. I also like the fact that you can use the OEM tow hooks. I’ve also been looking at the Valvomax drain plug.

 

[sleeoffroad]

I wanted to add to this thread that we have now released a HD Radiator Crossmember Reinforcement for the LC250. It is compatible with the stock OE skid plate, Slee Skid plate and front bumpers. Details are here.

SLEE- Heavy Duty Radiator Crossmember Reinforcement - High Strength STEEL - Land Cruiser LC250 / 4th Gen Tacoma / 6th Gen 4Runner - Slee Off Road

Features Compatible with OE Skid Plate (Some trimming required) Compatible with Toyota Updated Skid Plate (except for front plastic trim piece, as seen on LC 250 First Edition and Trail Hunter 4Runner) Compatible with Slee LC250 Skid Plate System [SOK2116 & SOK2117] Compatible with Slee LC250...

sleeoffroad.com

 

[RideWithYanu]

I wanted to add to this thread that we have now released a HD Radiator Crossmember Reinforcement for the LC250. It is compatible with the stock OE skid plate, Slee Skid plate and front bumpers. Details are here.

SLEE- Heavy Duty Radiator Crossmember Reinforcement - High Strength STEEL - Land Cruiser LC250 / 4th Gen Tacoma / 6th Gen 4Runner - Slee Off Road

Features Compatible with OE Skid Plate (Some trimming required) Compatible with Toyota Updated Skid Plate (except for front plastic trim piece, as seen on LC 250 First Edition and Trail Hunter 4Runner) Compatible with Slee LC250 Skid Plate System [SOK2116 & SOK2117] Compatible with Slee LC250...

sleeoffroad.com

Immediate order for me - I’ve slammed that crossmember too many times and don’t want my luck to run out. I’m awaiting delivery of some skids from one of your competitors (Victory 4x4) which also mount to the tow points (instead of the radiator crossmember), so I’m very much hoping I can make the two compatible together.

If not another member of the forum can benefit from my wasted purchase - but I’m really optimistic I can make this work!

Edit: now go pay whatever they want to become an official Supporting Vendor of this site since I’ve proven this to be a viable marketing channel

 

[Markarian421]

I wanted to add to this thread that we have now released a HD Radiator Crossmember Reinforcement for the LC250. It is compatible with the stock OE skid plate, Slee Skid plate and front bumpers. Details are here.

SLEE- Heavy Duty Radiator Crossmember Reinforcement - High Strength STEEL - Land Cruiser LC250 / 4th Gen Tacoma / 6th Gen 4Runner - Slee Off Road

Features Compatible with OE Skid Plate (Some trimming required) Compatible with Toyota Updated Skid Plate (except for front plastic trim piece, as seen on LC 250 First Edition and Trail Hunter 4Runner) Compatible with Slee LC250 Skid Plate System [SOK2116 & SOK2117] Compatible with Slee LC250...

sleeoffroad.com

Is this compatible with the upgraded Toyota skid plates? (The directions look like they only cover the very thin factory default one.)

 

[sleeoffroad]

Is this compatible with the upgraded Toyota skid plates? (The directions look like they only cover the very thin factory default one.)

I have not seen an updated factory skid plate. Do you have a link to an image of one?

 

[Markarian421]

I have not seen an updated factory skid plate. Do you have a link to an image of one?

These are the optional steel upgrade skid plates that are thicker than the standard thin metal and plastic shields:

Copied from Part Numbers Only Please

Front skid plate PT228-60242
Transmission skid plate PT228-35241

 

[sleeoffroad]

I can't see why those would not work. Might need similar trimming as the thinner plates if they have the same type of "fingers" on the plate that allows you to hook them on the frame when installing.

There also seems to be a plastic trim piece on the front that may or may not be compatible.

 

[Markarian421]

I can't see why those would not work. Might need similar trimming as the thinner plates if they have the same type of "fingers" on the plate that allows you to hook them on the frame when installing.

There also seems to be a plastic trim piece on the front that may or may not be compatible.

Yes that plastic trim is some kind of standoff. Mine came pre-installed so I'm not sure exactly how it works. It would be nice if it worked out so your reinforcement just replaced that plastic trim piece!