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Skid plates? Or high clearance rear bumper?

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by TexasTundra27, Feb 17, 2018.

  1. Feb 17, 2018 at 9:30 PM
    #1
    TexasTundra27

    TexasTundra27 [OP] Moby Dick

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    As the title states, should I get skid plates? Or have a custom high clearance rear bumper with a spare tire carrier made? I do a decent amount of wheeling and every time I drag my rear bumper and as a result my bumper and bed corners are trashed... but I’ve only scraped my underbelly once and I basically beached myself on my gas tank (thus the name Moby Dick). I know the skids will protect a lot more valuable things, but part of me wants the bumper more and I’m tired of seeing my trashed rear end... what are yall’s thoughts?
     
    831Tun and dcsleeper408 like this.
  2. Feb 17, 2018 at 11:43 PM
    #2
    dcsleeper408

    dcsleeper408 BASTRDS

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    Our trucks are very prone to high center and ass tap. Which makes it a really tough decision.

    A rear bumper with a swing is nice. It’s hard to keep those things light. If your packs can’t support it you’ll have some ass sag. Also most aftermarket bumpers loose stock towing capacity if that is your concern.

    Like you said. Full skids protect a lot of expensive stuff. I think skids would be the better choice. Especially price wise- full set of steel skids can be $800-1k custom high clearance fab’d up bumper can run up to 3k.

    Protection wise skids wins.. as the rear bumper is easy to replace.

    But let us know what ya do! I love seeing custom rear bumpers!
     
    joonbug, 831Tun and TexasTundra27[OP] like this.
  3. Feb 17, 2018 at 11:48 PM
    #3
    831Tun

    831Tun heartless Bastrd

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    I have (and have used) RCI skids, I highly recommend 'em. Just don't bother with their gas tank skid if you've got the larger, 38 gal. tank. That particular skid has bolts that hang down. I'm going with the Westin Outlaw rear bumper more because of the way it moves the hitch up than actual bumper clearance. @boardude has an N-fab rear that looks like it's got tons of GC.
     
    COTundra23, boardude, joonbug and 2 others like this.
  4. Feb 17, 2018 at 11:54 PM
    #4
    TexasTundra27

    TexasTundra27 [OP] Moby Dick

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    I was leaning towards the Bud Built skids if I got those mainly because I was worried about how thin the RCI skids are, they been holding up alright? Bud built skids run about $1400 shipped, but I’m pretty sure I can get a full RCI set for under $1000.
    Good point about the leaf pack, I currently have the Icon expansion pack and it sucks something awful...
     
  5. Feb 18, 2018 at 12:02 AM
    #5
    dcsleeper408

    dcsleeper408 BASTRDS

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    Bud built a do offer an HD series. I forgot the thickness but I seen em on my bud’s 4runner and man are they beef..

    My only issue is they also charge for powder coat. RCI comes powdercoated.
    They have been on the noose though with the 38g tank guys.

    Now I haven’t put my rci’s through hell. Only my tank has seen some gouges. Everything else is just bs scratches. My buddie’s aluminum was crushed after hucking it 25ft+(but let’s not get into that)
    @joonbug has had a bent oil filter door on the front skid, but I believe he was able to bend it back.

    If you hit the bumpy stuff hard I say go HD budbuilts. If not save some coin go rci and put the rest on your future rear bumper.
     
    joonbug, TexasTundra27[OP] and 831Tun like this.
  6. Feb 18, 2018 at 12:04 AM
    #6
    831Tun

    831Tun heartless Bastrd

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    Bud builts sound good too! My RCI's have taken some hits, nothing huge, and I've got a little rust beginning to show from the paint being scraped away, nothing a rattle can won't cure.
    I've got the Icon expansion pack too, better than stock but still leaves a lot to be desired.
     
  7. Feb 18, 2018 at 12:08 AM
    #7
    TexasTundra27

    TexasTundra27 [OP] Moby Dick

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    Bud built skids are 3/16” vs 1/8” for the RCI. Did y’all have to buy the gas tank straps from RCI? They don’t have one listed for the 26gal tank and I don’t have the TRD package.
     
    831Tun and dcsleeper408 like this.
  8. Feb 18, 2018 at 12:10 AM
    #8
    831Tun

    831Tun heartless Bastrd

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    I've got the 38 gal and no skid there.
     
  9. Feb 18, 2018 at 12:11 AM
    #9
    dcsleeper408

    dcsleeper408 BASTRDS

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    Yeah base it on what you need. I don’t plan on doing the rubicon in my tundra so i went with the rci. Saved me some good moneys with the Labor Day sale too!

    I didn’t have to buy the straps.
    You might have to buy em. You can slide under and take a peak if you have the straps.
     
  10. Feb 18, 2018 at 12:16 AM
    #10
    TexasTundra27

    TexasTundra27 [OP] Moby Dick

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    I appreciate the help fellas! Leaning towards the RCI skids now, that’ll give me some money towards some new leafs also!
     
    dcsleeper408 likes this.
  11. Feb 18, 2018 at 5:22 AM
    #11
    the_midwesterner

    the_midwesterner New Member

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    None, yet....
    I have an even better solution.... 42" tire. This would help solve both of those. Your break over angle would be improved and your departure angle would be higher.

    You're welcome.
     
  12. Feb 18, 2018 at 5:27 AM
    #12
    zackbremer

    zackbremer New Member

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    also reach out to local fab shops in your area..i got 3/8 thick aluminum skids for the front back to the transfer case (no gas skid) for like 500$ also bumper design too, the cookie cutter mas produced stuff is always waaayyy more expensive ive found
     
  13. Feb 18, 2018 at 9:11 AM
    #13
    dcsleeper408

    dcsleeper408 BASTRDS

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    :yes:
    Great combo!
     
  14. Feb 18, 2018 at 12:30 PM
    #14
    TexasTundra27

    TexasTundra27 [OP] Moby Dick

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    , I don’t know what I’d do without advice like this lol
    Good points, I agree 100%! I started talking to a somewhat local shop this morning about them. They’re already in the process of making some new bad ass sliders for Tundras. Trying to see if they have the time to build skids and sliders for me which would be amazing!
     
    zackbremer[QUOTED] likes this.
  15. Feb 18, 2018 at 6:46 PM
    #15
    Samoan Thor

    Samoan Thor God is technically an alien

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    I really wish someone would develop a high clearance rear bumper for our tundras, there’s many out there that are just strong as shit but not specifically high clearance. I suggest go with the bumper and post pics after, there’s a guy on YouTube with a 3rd gen custom rear, high clearance. I think his name is Shawn Hilaker, I liked his except for the basket he had for fuel jugs.
     
    TexasTundra27[OP] likes this.
  16. Feb 18, 2018 at 7:24 PM
    #16
    TexasTundra27

    TexasTundra27 [OP] Moby Dick

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    I’m talking with @ragofabrication right now, they’re already gonna make me a set of bad ass sliders that will be available for the masses shortly after. Trying to talk them into making some skids, if we can get enough interest they might be willing to tackle a high clearance bumper but as of right now they’re not doing one off work.
     
    dcsleeper408 likes this.
  17. Jan 19, 2022 at 8:24 AM
    #17
    COTundra23

    COTundra23 New Member

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    Out of curiosity, what gas skid did you use if you dont like the RCI option?
     
    831Tun[QUOTED] likes this.
  18. Jan 19, 2022 at 8:35 AM
    #18
    831Tun

    831Tun heartless Bastrd

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    I've never had a gas tank skid.
     
    COTundra23[QUOTED] likes this.
  19. Jan 19, 2022 at 8:46 AM
    #19
    AZBoatHauler

    AZBoatHauler SSEM#140/ASCM#3/2ndGenNaysayer/BAF140

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    They upgraded the RCI design so the nuts are now either recessed or shielded.
    64D9D9EE-7436-40C6-81DE-B3E073AB836D.jpg
    Seems to work.
    2994227F-F8EE-40D8-A900-4CE9B399C6F0.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jan 19, 2022
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  20. Jan 19, 2022 at 10:04 AM
    #20
    TexasTundra27

    TexasTundra27 [OP] Moby Dick

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    Victory 4x4 makes a gas tank skid that mounts to the frame instead of the tanks straps.
     
    Cruzer likes this.
  21. Jan 19, 2022 at 10:11 AM
    #21
    MadMaxCanon

    MadMaxCanon New Member

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    Too many, but not enough....
    Check out warfab for a badass, true high clearance rear bumper for the tundra, its the coolest one i seen and it has a hitch built in.
     
    cowboyjack and NueveTundra like this.
  22. Jan 19, 2022 at 10:21 AM
    #22
    Cruzer

    Cruzer Wheeling Full Size

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    Victory gas skid is heavy AF.
     
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  23. Jan 19, 2022 at 10:47 AM
    #23
    TexasTundra27

    TexasTundra27 [OP] Moby Dick

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    agreed, I was very thankful for my tranny jack when I installed mine.



    Trail Toys makes a solid high clearance also, he recently started offering it with single or dual swingouts also.
    trailtoys.net
     
    Cruzer[QUOTED] likes this.
  24. Jan 19, 2022 at 10:50 AM
    #24
    Cruzer

    Cruzer Wheeling Full Size

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    I love my TrailToys bumper!!:benchpress:
     
    TG705 likes this.
  25. Jan 19, 2022 at 10:57 AM
    #25
    TexasTundra27

    TexasTundra27 [OP] Moby Dick

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    Me too, I've given it all kinds of hell and it hasn't moved an inch or bent at all.
     
    TG705 likes this.
  26. Jan 19, 2022 at 11:06 AM
    #26
    COTundra23

    COTundra23 New Member

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    @STravis makes an awesome high clearance bumper as well
     
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  27. Jan 19, 2022 at 7:35 PM
    #27
    STravis

    STravis SOB Fabrication

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    Thanks man :cheers: we definitely gained some departure angle with the high clearance bumper.

    IMG_20210522_163544203_HDR.jpg
    IMG_20210522_163519152_HDR.jpg
     
  28. Jan 19, 2022 at 8:58 PM
    #28
    COTundra23

    COTundra23 New Member

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    looks so good! Any metal cutting or is it all plastic?
     
  29. Jan 19, 2022 at 9:07 PM
    #29
    STravis

    STravis SOB Fabrication

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    It's all metal. You take a big chunk of the bedsides off.

    IMG_20210519_102226871.jpg IMG_20210519_110325787.jpg IMG_20210518_180524994_HDR.jpg
     
  30. Jan 20, 2022 at 6:22 AM
    #30
    COTundra23

    COTundra23 New Member

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    sorry- meant to say any metal cutting on the truck / frame itself?
     

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