Skid Plates - OEM or Aftermarket?

[Desmolicious]

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.

what if the way in is harder than the way out?

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[shine]

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

Magnet attaches, but noticeably weaker than the fender above the front wheel

 

[BonRunner]

Paid $280 OTD online thru Toyota Parts Online for the Land Cruiser's steel skid plate. Same quality as TRD one, but no brand (except TOYOTA name) and much cheaper. Big sales going on now until 12/22 with free shipping too.

 

[shine]

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.

Always engage your 4WD and locker before you need it. They don't catch on instantly, so if you wait until you're stuck you might very well not be able to use these features.

I'd say save your recovery gear (traction boards etc) for the way out. If you have to use those, seriously consider whether it will be easier or harder to proceed.

 

[bakutheleo]

My "way in/out" comment basically means that if you made it in and get stuck, you can use 4WD to get un-stuck. If it gets really bad you know you can turn around, as if you made it in largely with 2WD you can almost certainly make it back out the same way. The point being is to generally just use 2WD when possible. This advice was from a professional geologist that went (way) off road a lot. And yes, as I mentioned there are places that you just use 4WD as it is needed for safety or getting through. Not a hard rule, but something to keep in mind. If you know the area that helps too of course.

 

[Desmolicious]

Magnet attaches, but noticeably weaker than the fender above the front wheel

Sounds like stainless!

 

[Desmolicious]

My "way in/out" comment basically means that if you made it in and get stuck, you can use 4WD to get un-stuck. If it gets really bad you know you can turn around, as if you made it in largely with 2WD you can almost certainly make it back out the same way. The point being is to generally just use 2WD when possible. This advice was from a professional geologist that went (way) off road a lot. And yes, as I mentioned there are places that you just use 4WD as it is needed for safety or getting through. Not a hard rule, but something to keep in mind. If you know the area that helps too of course.

As commenter Shine mentioned, you should use 4wd before you get stuck. If you wait until you get stuck it may not be of use if you no longer have momentum.
That’s the most basic rule of off roading - don’t wait until you’re stuck.

 

[Desmolicious]

Paid $280 OTD online thru Toyota Parts Online for the Land Cruiser's aluminum skid plate. Same quality as TRD one, but no brand (except TOYOTA name) and much cheaper. Big sales going on now until 12/22 with free shipping too.

Do you have an website address? It just seems to pull up dealerships for me.

 

[coloradomarmot]

First time I hit a rock with my pro I ripped one of the letters off my OEM, so as soon as RCI has theirs available, I plan to swap out for theirs.

 

[NotApplicable]

First time I hit a rock with my pro I ripped one of the letters off my OEM, so as soon as RCI has theirs available, I plan to swap out for theirs.

Ooc, why RCI over CBI? I’ve been looking at both and can’t figure out what the deciding factor should be

 

[coloradomarmot]

Ooc, why RCI over CBI? I’ve been looking at both and can’t figure out what the deciding factor should be

I’ve heard mixed reviews of CBI, and RCI is local. I’ve had their rails on both this and my previous one, and they’ve held up really well.

 

[Voltron]

Paid $280 OTD online thru Toyota Parts Online for the Land Cruiser's aluminum skid plate. Same quality as TRD one, but no brand (except TOYOTA name) and much cheaper. Big sales going on now until 12/22 with free shipping too.

I also have the Land Cruiser front skid plate and it's steel. Was there an option for aluminum?

 

[BonRunner]

Do you have an website address? It just seems to pull up dealerships for me.

It's the https://autoparts.toyota.com. You pasted in the Part Number (PT228-60242) and find it from your local dealership. I have 5 different Toyota dealership in my state. Some has cheaper price than other after the discounts. All have free shipping. It's a pain to restart the process every time you change dealership, but easier to do on a computer.

 

[BonRunner]

I also have the Land Cruiser front skid plate and it's steel. Was there an option for aluminum?

Apologies, it is steel. It feels strong, heavy duty & light.. I assumed it was aluminum Steel is better at protection. Thickness is at 2.5mm. My state doesn't use salt on roads (sands instead) so no worry about rust!

 

[Wikaa]

Which one did you go for?

RCI

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