Skid Plates - OEM or Aftermarket?

[JackedAcctnt]

Has anyone installed an after-market skid plate that fit OEM drill holes/mount points? Or would you recommend just buying the OEM TRD skid plate? Thank you.

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[Undefeatable]

I bought the TRD one purely because I got it on super sale, but if I didn't get the deal, I would have gone aftermarket purely for the oil change access doors.

 

[Desmolicious]

I bought the TRD one purely because I got it on super sale, but if I didn't get the deal, I would have gone aftermarket purely for the oil change access doors.

yeah those oil change access doors are key. No idea why Toyota couldn’t include something like that in their design.

 

[TrdProGirl84]

I have my TRD Pro one. When I off-road I’ll definitely have aftermarket for the rest of the coverage

 

[Nodak]

i would go aftermarket, they use steel instead of aluminum (toyota) and take those unexpected hits way better than the toyota ones.

but mind you the weight diff between steel and aluminum so that will affect your towing capacity if you pull something off road.

 

[Wikaa]

Aftermarket works for me

 

[Stryker]

I was gonna go with CBI aftermarket for my TRD ORP, but the Black Friday deals on parts & accessories from Toyota were, for me, too good to pass up. $844.35 shipped for the front, mid, & rear differential skid plates. My dealership included free oil changes for life (up to 4 a year), so the lack of the access ports wasn't as big of a deal for me. I did the break-in oil change myself so I'd know where everything is located, and while removing the skids isn't ideal, I didn't find it to be that big of a deal. More of a minor inconvenience really.

 

[JackedAcctnt]

I was gonna go with CBI aftermarket for my TRD ORP, but the Black Friday deals on parts & accessories from Toyota were, for me, too good to pass up. $844.35 shipped for the front, mid, & rear differential skid plates. My dealership included free oil changes for life (up to 4 a year), so the lack of the access ports wasn't as big of a deal for me. I did the break-in oil change myself so I'd know where everything is located, and while removing the skids isn't ideal, I didn't find it to be that big of a deal. More of a minor inconvenience really.

Insane deal

 

[JackedAcctnt]

Aftermarket works for me

Which one did you go for?

 

[CO/ZA]

I went OEM, on the basis that they are steel and not aluminum.

Aluminum will tend to deform/dent and pin you on an obstacle.

Steel will remain ridgid and allow for some slide.

 

[shine]

I went OEM, on the basis that they are steel and not aluminum.

Aluminum will tend to deform/dent and pin you on an obstacle.

Steel will remain ridgid and allow for some slide.

Not only that, but the oem Trailhunter ones are stainless steel

Most aftermarket ones need to be powder coated or painted, then repainted periodically to prevent them from rusting

 

[Desmolicious]

Not only that, but the oem Trailhunter ones are stainless steel

Most aftermarket ones need to be powder coated or painted, then repainted periodically to prevent them from rusting

Where do you see it is made from stainless steel?

This is all I could find on their website:

Beef up the aggressive stance of your 4Runner while protecting its underbody from off-road hazards with the Trailhunter skid plate.
• High strength steel helps prevent damage to underbody from rocks, branches, ice chunks and other types of road debris
• Easy no-drill installation uses vehicle's existing attachment mounts
• Rigorously tested to maximize protection and prevent vibration, stress and noise
• Won't interfere with or block cooling system
• Provides unobstructed access to all maintenance points and vehicle tow hooks

 

[shine]

Just from looking at the ones already on my Trailhunter. They wouldn’t look like that very long if they were not

 

[Desmolicious]

Just from looking at the ones already on my Trailhunter. They wouldn’t look like that very long if they were not

Put a magnet against it. If it attaches firmly - regular steel. If it attaches very loosely or not at all - stainless steel.

 

[bakutheleo]

I got the same deal at the recent super sale; about $800 including tax for all 3 OEM plates (I picked it up at my local dealer, so no shipping)--I decided on the aluminum front, the rest are steel (no other option). It is a very thick piece of aluminum, and I am sure a hard grade, so not to worried (I do not plan to *try* to hit it!). I did the install this weekend myself--there were a few tricks I picked up but overall not that difficult (I did not even lift the vehicle at all). There is another thread asking about the installation; I have to find it again as I promised a follow-up on that once I finished my install.

One good piece of advice whe off-roading: Use 2WD on your way in, and 4WD only on the way out. If you get stuck going 4WD (high or low) on the way in you may not get out! Obviously there are times you should use 4WD on the way in as well for stability/safety, but still generally good advice.

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