For all future DIY people read this: I have a 2021 Tacoma Off Road that the day I bought it I had the dealer install a TRD skid plate before I drove it off the lot more than a year ago. Today I watched this video and went to install this skid plates set up. Here is my experience so far (I haven't finished): 1. Front skid plate: In this video he says use original hardware to bolt the RCI skids. True but not accurate if you have a Trd front skid. First, you don't need to use any of the spacers that came with the trd plate. So once the plate is out put those away. 2nd, if you unscrewed one of the 2 front or 2 middle screws and they don't come all the way out don't worry. Just keep unscrewing the rest of them and the plate will come out. They are being held by these lock rings that you can destroy to remove the screws completely after the plate is removed. They may not fall to the ground or come out but once you feel it's loose move to the next screw. I wasted a lot of time trying to get one out because I started with the back 2 screws and they came out no problem. The original 2 front screws are too long for the RCI plate. For a snug fit use the screws that held the frame brackets. The original middle screws are too long. Use the original 2 front screws for the middle. They're shorter. If you try to force the original middle longer screws for a snug fit of the RCI plate you'll bend out the metal of the cross bar it's going into above it. If you hear a bang metal noise it's too late (Why am I not smarter?). No issues with the transmission skid plate. 2. Transfer case skid plate: I couldn't mount the support bracket because the screw that goes with the nyloc nut has a wider diameter than the hole. I have to widen the hole. (It's why I didn't finish today). I'll get to it tomorrow. I know there are 2 plastic covers that can be removed on that side. The bigger one is too small for the screw that came with my plate. I don't know if it's an issue with my specific year, being it an off road model, or maybe RCI sent me the wrong screw. ? Good luck out there.
With the TRD front skid plate and the RCI transmission skid plate, did you have to install the front end of the transmission plate lower ( closer to the ground) rather than tucking it above the TRD skid plate because of those weird dimples in the TRD skid?
Nice to see that RCI has fixed the skids. Mine are 6 years old. And do not have the drop pocket for the front diff, or the drop bend for the exhaust crossover. If you have the old ones after a few good hits the skid starts to rub. I fixed mine by welding drop pockets in both places. It would be great to see a rear diff skid install. As it's a really tight fit. Any tricks would be helpful.
This may be a knob question, but I recently got the RCI transmission and cat protector plates, and you do have to remove the cat bars, correct? Are there any negative effects safety or warranty-wise to removing them? They don't provide any structural support, right? Just wondering if there are any issues with removing the cat bars.
What are those bars do in the front and back seems like factory structural pieces, I can see how front ones replaced with skid plate for at least one directional forces, but I don't see the tube shaped ones being removed and their function substituted?
Yeah I'm hesitant to buy these because of that. They might be part of crumple zones or something important. I'm undecided, so I must just end up using the TRD Pro skid plate which doesnt require taking those off.
Mauro Torres from what I was told, front brackets are there to prevent thread stripping, since IFS splashguard is removed for oil changes, if thread is stripped bracket is easy to replace, rear two bars are cat protectors, and aparently they are thetr to prevent theft lol, cat converters are a good metal scrap. Not sure how true this is, need to hear from Toyota factory engineer.
I was told by another skid plate mfg, they are there as additional support for stock thin splash guard, as well as to prevent stripping bolts on the frame because you need to remove portion to do oil filter swap.
The front are fairly substantial, I bought the Toyota TRD skidplate for mine, and got rid of the stock flimsy metal. I don’t like the idea of removing the front support and relying on a skid.
Hey Chris, these are great skid plates but I'm not too sure they'll fit your drop diff kit. Give our tech team a call for more help finding the right skid plate setup! 623-434-5277
Big Fan of all your videos, you have help me sooooo much !!!! just wanted to know if you will be doing a video on installing tow hitch wiring for 2020 tacoma ?
Does this skid plate cover the catalytic converter, or do you know of any that would? I want to add skid plates to mine, and I live in an area with a lot of catalytic converter theft happening.
@@jcvee15 I have aluminum, and am watching this video as I destroyed mine and am replacing with steel. If you wheel hard, steel is better. If you've never touched the factory skid, aluminum will save lbs.
Same question. But specifically for cali raised led trail bolt on rock sliders. The sliders require taking the brake lines off. Im waiting on my full skids, guess ill find out if there's any interference when I install.
create more problems for consumers!!! Not interest these systems of skid plate!!! if you do not have a place to bring up your truck in the air then.....costly everytime for service of checking?? Anyway more work..more problems and inconvenient! Seriously
Great video! Very detailed, direct,and to the point. I am very impressed. Exactly what I have been looking for.
For all future DIY people read this:
I have a 2021 Tacoma Off Road that the day I bought it I had the dealer install a TRD skid plate before I drove it off the lot more than a year ago.
Today I watched this video and went to install this skid plates set up. Here is my experience so far (I haven't finished):
1. Front skid plate:
In this video he says use original hardware to bolt the RCI skids. True but not accurate if you have a Trd front skid. First, you don't need to use any of the spacers that came with the trd plate. So once the plate is out put those away.
2nd, if you unscrewed one of the 2 front or 2 middle screws and they don't come all the way out don't worry. Just keep unscrewing the rest of them and the plate will come out. They are being held by these lock rings that you can destroy to remove the screws completely after the plate is removed. They may not fall to the ground or come out but once you feel it's loose move to the next screw. I wasted a lot of time trying to get one out because I started with the back 2 screws and they came out no problem.
The original 2 front screws are too long for the RCI plate. For a snug fit use the screws that held the frame brackets.
The original middle screws are too long. Use the original 2 front screws for the middle. They're shorter. If you try to force the original middle longer screws for a snug fit of the RCI plate you'll bend out the metal of the cross bar it's going into above it. If you hear a bang metal noise it's too late (Why am I not smarter?).
No issues with the transmission skid plate.
2. Transfer case skid plate:
I couldn't mount the support bracket because the screw that goes with the nyloc nut has a wider diameter than the hole. I have to widen the hole. (It's why I didn't finish today).
I'll get to it tomorrow.
I know there are 2 plastic covers that can be removed on that side. The bigger one is too small for the screw that came with my plate. I don't know if it's an issue with my specific year, being it an off road model, or maybe RCI sent me the wrong screw. ?
Good luck out there.
With the TRD front skid plate and the RCI transmission skid plate, did you have to install the front end of the transmission plate lower ( closer to the ground) rather than tucking it above the TRD skid plate because of those weird dimples in the TRD skid?
Also, I was planning to install the transfer case skid today but now I'll wait and see how yours goes, hopefully. Thanks in advance
@@lorenarmstrong9537 I removed the trd skid plate completely and planning to sell it. You can't have both skids.
Nice to see that RCI has fixed the skids. Mine are 6 years old. And do not have the drop pocket for the front diff, or the drop bend for the exhaust crossover. If you have the old ones after a few good hits the skid starts to rub. I fixed mine by welding drop pockets in both places. It would be great to see a rear diff skid install. As it's a really tight fit. Any tricks would be helpful.
Thanks for sharing that info about the early skid plates from rci Steve! We'll consider doing the rears in a future video.
i had to replace the provided bolts with longer ones to facilitate the installation.
Just finished installing it following your video, I hate reading instructions, much appreciated :)
Would you like to, perhaps, show us which bolt goes in the passenger side of the transfer case........
Great video. Just got mine installed off of this and it was accurate and to the point. Thanks!
It's ok to remove those front arms? Nothing structurally compromised by doing that?
Does the skid plate cover and protect the catalytic converter? Mine was chopped off and stolen.
I have the same question and problem
What is the original function of the plastic frame inserts that you removed?
Are they alot thicker than the stock skids on the 3rd gen off-road trim?
more work...more problems for consumers!
I just order my set and looking forward into installing it!
Thanks for the helpful video! Also, the pole Jack is a good melee weapon, so keep that handy when the world finally goes epic bonkers! Thanks again!
Thanks Diego glad we could help! The shop sure is a great place for grabbing some melee tools when the zombies roll in!
Just wondering if when taking out the oil pan plug won't make a mess
This may be a knob question, but I recently got the RCI transmission and cat protector plates, and you do have to remove the cat bars, correct? Are there any negative effects safety or warranty-wise to removing them? They don't provide any structural support, right? Just wondering if there are any issues with removing the cat bars.
I was thinking that too. Taking out structural support probably make my taco handle more like shit
What are you torquing the bolts to? The front skid instructions just say factory specs, so should it be 22ft lbs all around?
Is anti seize or (red or blue) thread locker used on any of the bolts?
What are those bars do in the front and back seems like factory structural pieces, I can see how front ones replaced with skid plate for at least one directional forces, but I don't see the tube shaped ones being removed and their function substituted?
Yeah I'm hesitant to buy these because of that. They might be part of crumple zones or something important. I'm undecided, so I must just end up using the TRD Pro skid plate which doesnt require taking those off.
Mauro Torres from what I was told, front brackets are there to prevent thread stripping, since IFS splashguard is removed for oil changes, if thread is stripped bracket is easy to replace, rear two bars are cat protectors, and aparently they are thetr to prevent theft lol, cat converters are a good metal scrap.
Not sure how true this is, need to hear from Toyota factory engineer.
I was thinking the same thing, maybe the skid provides the structural support
I was told by another skid plate mfg, they are there as additional support for stock thin splash guard, as well as to prevent stripping bolts on the frame because you need to remove portion to do oil filter swap.
The front are fairly substantial, I bought the Toyota TRD skidplate for mine, and got rid of the stock flimsy metal. I don’t like the idea of removing the front support and relying on a skid.
does it fit a 2007 fj cruiser?
Awesome skid plates! Do these skid plates clear for an added diff drop kit spacers? I am trying to find a skid plate that will work with them. Thanks!
Hey Chris, these are great skid plates but I'm not too sure they'll fit your drop diff kit. Give our tech team a call for more help finding the right skid plate setup! 623-434-5277
Yes they work great with diff kit drop bro. I have it on my 2017 Tacoma. Great video. Thanks.
Big Fan of all your videos, you have help me sooooo much !!!! just wanted to know if you will be doing a video on installing tow hitch wiring for 2020 tacoma ?
Good video. Thank you. Would like to see same for your Ranger build.
Does this skid plate cover the catalytic converter, or do you know of any that would? I want to add skid plates to mine, and I live in an area with a lot of catalytic converter theft happening.
Yes it does, same here in ATX
They have separate cat protectors now which bolt to the transmission skid plate. That was a driving force for me getting the whole set
Which skid plate material would you recommend, the steel or the aluminum?
We went with Steel for our kits
Stage 3 Motorsports thanks guys. Great video by the way.
@@jcvee15 I have aluminum, and am watching this video as I destroyed mine and am replacing with steel. If you wheel hard, steel is better. If you've never touched the factory skid, aluminum will save lbs.
If you’re going to actually use it go with steel, if it’s all for looks get aluminum.
The steel ones are literally twice as heavy.
Like your video ---- a question: would the full skid plate installation interfere with installing bolt on rock-sliders?
It shouldn't, we didn't run into any issues with our steps being installed.
Same question. But specifically for cali raised led trail bolt on rock sliders. The sliders require taking the brake lines off. Im waiting on my full skids, guess ill find out if there's any interference when I install.
@@jackalmetals did you have any problems with Cali Raised sliders?
@@troypoe I ended up not getting skids. I dont think it will interfere. The sliders are great though.
@@jackalmetals thanks. I've got skids coming today and sliders in about 2 weeks. I watched both videos several times and think it will work out
Which would you recommend 3/16” or 1/4” ?
we went with the 3/16"
How much does this full skid package weigh?
120 lbs
Can a 1st gem tacoma rci skid plate fit on a 3rd gen tacoma...?
Really doubt it
How about shipping to Canada 🇨🇦?
Is it possible?
We sure do learn more in this link www.stage3motorsports.com/Stage-3s-International-Shipping-Policy-Quote.html
@@stage3motorsports Thanks.
I saw this only afterwards.
Is this legal to do this?
Completely
How to order?
You can order here rcimetalworks.com/
create more problems for consumers!!! Not interest these systems of skid plate!!! if you do not have a place to bring up your truck in the air then.....costly everytime for service of checking?? Anyway more work..more problems and inconvenient! Seriously
Finally a mechanic that don't wear gloves. Never trust one that is scared to get their hands dirty just like never eat a skinny cooks food!