The Build So Nice I Did Everything Twice

Looks like a nice setup!

 

Thanks! I'm always looking for ways to make the garage/shop more functional. Next non-Tundra project will be my ultimate workbench.

 

Chapter 6: Armor (really just skid plates at this point)

Admittedly, I didn't attempt to add skid plates twice to this build... I did it three times.

When I finally decided to add some under-body protection to the truck I did a lot of contemplation on what I was really going to use it for. I'm not into rock crawling, nor am I planning to run the Rubicon, and I'm just on 34's at this point anyway so was super heavy duty protection really needed? I debated over RCI (aluminum or steel), BudBuilt (aluminum or stainless), and CBI (just steel). Considering we're really just rugged campers I decided on the economical and light weight route with RCI aluminum skids. Plus they match the sliders.

I ordered the RCI skid plates and got one of their great holiday weekend deals and waited patiently for parts to arrive. Once they did, however, I was a bit disappointed. At some point, RCI decided that their engine skid plate should be made in two pieces rather than a single continuous piece and failed to update the pictures or product description on their website. There's another thread on this site that mentions that as well but I didn't find it until later. I would've been ok with it but the bolted connection is right in the middle of the skid where you'd want the most protection and where you'd likely land on something. So back those went.

The decision was then, do I splurge and go the BudBuilt route (plus they make full coverage aluminum skids) or do I go with the heavier CBI option. With weight considerations in mind, and again not a rock crawler, I figured the BudBuilt aluminum option would be the best route. That one was more regrettable than the RCI choice. I've seen a lot of positive post on this forum for BudBuilt and I'm sure there are many happy customers out there but my experience wasn't great. I won't dwell on the details or quality issues but when I did receive the final package, I wasn't even sent the right skid plates for a Tundra. This I found out after trying to install them and finding issues with bolt locations and clearances. I think others have also had this problem as I've seen posts on bolt holes not properly matching.

Once all the boxes, mismatched parts, and frustration from the previous orders was out of the house, I finally just ordered the CBI skids. They arrived fairly quickly and I was quite impressed by their design and build quality. They're quite heavy, yes, and their a bit of a bear to install but they're quite worth it. I'm very happy with their product and will likely also get their front bumper when I get to that point. Perhaps a rear bumper as well if they come out with one with a tire carrier.

Final result...

 

For those of you wondering what happened to the superfluous rear seat removed from the truck...

It took on a second life as an extra chair in the living room

 

Love the build thread mate, been a while since I’ve checked in on the forum and your build makes me want to get back into upgrading my truck some more!
Cheers! Keep up the great content

 

Thanks! It's been a little while since I've been able to update the thread but I'll post more this weekend. We've been a bit busy lately.

Just got back from a 2 week road trip through Nevada, Colorado, and Utah. Visited Salt Lake City, Denver, the Colorado National Monument, Rocky Mountain National Forest, Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, Moab, Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon, Zion, and did tons of sight seeing. It was quite a trip. Some random photos..




















Also had to take a trip before that to pick up my wife's new 4Runner a few hours away in LA. We had to wait a few months for it but finally got it without markup. It's a TRD Off Road Premium with KDSS... in MGM of course. They were easy to find before the pandemic but apparently not so much anymore. The wife is super happy so it was worth the wait. We trailered it home.