July 29, 2023

RCI skid plates for my Gen 5 4runner

These are recommended, even more so than the TRD plate from Toyota. You will of course miss out on having a grey plate with the TRD logo, something I am entirely comfortable with, and actually prefer.

I ordered the RCI engine plate in powder coated steel on 8/25/2023. They are having a 20 percent off labor day sale, so I save $70 on the $350 price. Shipping (FedEx) is $26.72, so the order is $323.80.

Since they had this 20 percent off going, I also ordered the transfer case plate the same day. $350 with 70 off, total is 339.41 (heavier with a bracket I guess). Also in powder coated steel.

Before the labor day sale was over, I had also ordered the transmission plate (which they were offering with a free set of catalytic converter guards, which I definitely wanted). And I also ordered the monstrous gas tank plate.

The guides are pretty good. Not perfect though, and I did have questions. I had no luck calling on the phone, but questions to "sales" via email got quick and extremely helpful responses.

Two things needed clarification. First is that the Cat converter guard plates have a "corner cut off" unlike what is shown in their guides. This goes towards the rear of the vehicle and is this way to clear the diagonal tubular support. My second question was about that very tubular support. It need not (and should not) be removed.

Customer support at RCI sent this image when I asked about the cat guard orientation.

And they sent these images when I asked about how to use the U shaped spacer bar on the bolts between the transmission and transfer case plates. I had thought the spacer bar was there because you are supposed to remove the tubular supports (you are not). The spacer bar is there to give a more square mounting surface rather than having the plate rest on the guard pieces on the tubular members.

There was plenty of room to slide the spacer in once the bolts were started. Also, I thought the polymer spacers at the rear of the engine skid were going to be a nightmare, but they can easily be placed in from the side and then the bolt started.

Eventually I will probably get the rear diff skid for $325. I hear different stories about loss of clearance with the gas tank skid, from 2 inches, to virtually nothing. It does pull snug up against the tank, but being square it may be lower in places where the OEM skid curved. Here is a list of weights (for 3/16 steel). 

Engine plate - 42 pounds
Transmission plate - 30 pounds
Cat Conv guards - 10 pounds
Transfer case - 40? pounds
Fuel Tank plate - 52 pounds
A total of 174 pounds - the weight of one adult passenger. All that steel seems like a lot when you are bolting it on, but when you think about it in that way, it seems reasonable.

Clearance

Before install.
Driver side front, just below "tow loop" - 14 inches Center of stock skid, low point, between front tires - 8.5 inches Rear, flat surface on underside of tow "socket" - 17.5 inches Rear, flat surface on underside of gas tank (stock skid) - 10 inches

Loss of clearance? This in part is from the extra metal and the shape of it, but also from the extra weight. I want to measure this before and after installing the plates.

After install.

Notes

People say the rear bumper takes more abuse than anything else.

Here is how the pricing would go:

You can save maybe $25 each on the transmission and xfer case plates by ordering them in plain aluminum since they will be virtually invisible under the vehicle. But I went with steel.

RCI Offroad is in Loveland, Colorado.

One guy recommends Rustoleum Truck Bed Coating to spray on uncoated plates, should you buy them.

RCI makes a whole array of plates to thoroughly armor the underside of your 4runner.

Note the Tacoma link above. The same skid plate fits the old 4runner as fits my Tacoma. For $350. Made from 3/16 steel.

Just for the record, RCI also makes roof racks and a variety of other stuff.

Have any comments? Questions? Drop me a line!

Tom's Auto repair pages / tom@mmto.org