Really excellent explanation (especially the way you showed the layout of each part/section using the cardboard before installing). You really have a talent for teaching and your videos are a pleasure to watch.
I ordered the steel for my wife’s runner because I got tired of dropping the factory skid ( Oil changes) Bad Bad design. The RCI is absolutely a Beast plate. So glad I purchased it. No Regrets
Thanks for making this video! I originally had the RCI full steel ones and got rid of those due to weight.. just ordered a new aluminum front; state-side we have a 20% off sale atm! Go get ‘em!
The torque spec on those skid plate bolts is really important. When I put my RCI engine skid on, my torque wrench failed to click at the set torque, and I snapped the head off a bolt. I still did an 8k mile road trip missing that bolt, and I drilled and extracted it without any major issues once we got home. Aside from an occasional little vibration noise on trails, there were noproblems on the trip. It was, however, one of the rear bolts, so if we'd had a trans skid, it wouldn't have been able to secure the two together on that overlap.
3:58 . I don't like front skids that retain the brackets. They mount off-center into the boxed metal of the bracket, which will compress on a hard hit. There are other skids that use four bolts to mount directly to the front crossmember.
@@ReimerKeith I can see what you mean. I think the idea is, and I may be wrong here, the braces/brackets are meant to provide additional reinforcement. The braces/brackets are bolted to the frames crossmembers and run along the skid almost touching it. I could see that boxy area getting pushed in a bit though with a hard enough hit in that location for sure
@@T4RgarageI would have, but it was HUGE actually lowered my front ground clearance by almost an inch. I hit a snow covered boulder at a decent speed. Totally deformed the front plate and was a pain to remove. Oil filter panel was jammed and mangled. It IS hanging up in my garage as a war trophy though.
My biggest skid plate plan is replacing the factory bolts on both ends (welding) because they break when removing for maintenance. How are these new one for getting to oil changes and transfer case and all?
No. Anything you hit with the RCI would've probably hit the OEM skids, but the RCI will actually protect your vehicle, where the OEM skids will cave easily on anything significant.
@@voodooblue6162 I looked between the new RCI skid and my diff and they are almost touching so I think it sits in the same position. I probably should have taken before and after measurements though
Really excellent explanation (especially the way you showed the layout of each part/section using the cardboard before installing). You really have a talent for teaching and your videos are a pleasure to watch.
@@2AToday Thanks so much. Always looking for ways to improve the explanation/process so I appreciate that
I ordered the steel for my wife’s runner because I got tired of dropping the factory skid ( Oil changes) Bad Bad design. The RCI is absolutely a Beast plate. So glad I purchased it. No Regrets
Question, does the RCI cover the space were front plastic cover goes, or you can install that back
@@flacolarryIt attaches to the two threaded bolt holes that was the plastic cover, I just omitted it on my wife’s looks nicer
I’m about to order this after doing an oil change.
Thanks for making this video! I originally had the RCI full steel ones and got rid of those due to weight.. just ordered a new aluminum front; state-side we have a 20% off sale atm! Go get ‘em!
Great video and very informative. Now clean off those dirty fingerprints on that front skid . ;)
This is my favorite 4Runner and overlanding channel .
@@nickb1690 I knew someone would say something about those 🤣 Thanks man!
Looking good! Nice and protected!
@@RCIOFFROAD 😁🤙🏼
Made it look so easy! Great job.
The torque spec on those skid plate bolts is really important. When I put my RCI engine skid on, my torque wrench failed to click at the set torque, and I snapped the head off a bolt. I still did an 8k mile road trip missing that bolt, and I drilled and extracted it without any major issues once we got home. Aside from an occasional little vibration noise on trails, there were noproblems on the trip. It was, however, one of the rear bolts, so if we'd had a trans skid, it wouldn't have been able to secure the two together on that overlap.
Those are pretty cool! I likin the look
Great video as always, I have a 4runner 5th gen and will skid plates work on a Limited 4runner?
@@digg3r74 Mine is actually a limited, under all the plastic they are basically the same vehicle. This kit will also work on yours
Does it need to be removed to jack the front end up?
3:58 . I don't like front skids that retain the brackets. They mount off-center into the boxed metal of the bracket, which will compress on a hard hit. There are other skids that use four bolts to mount directly to the front crossmember.
@@ReimerKeith I can see what you mean. I think the idea is, and I may be wrong here, the braces/brackets are meant to provide additional reinforcement. The braces/brackets are bolted to the frames crossmembers and run along the skid almost touching it. I could see that boxy area getting pushed in a bit though with a hard enough hit in that location for sure
I had a hard hit on my RCI aluminum skid and it put a huge dent dead center. Went steel after that. With that said, RCI is still a great option.
@@ryanm4013 Bro you gotta keep them dents on there for street…or uhh trail cred 🤷🏻♂️🤣
@@T4RgarageI would have, but it was HUGE actually lowered my front ground clearance by almost an inch. I hit a snow covered boulder at a decent speed. Totally deformed the front plate and was a pain to remove. Oil filter panel was jammed and mangled. It IS hanging up in my garage as a war trophy though.
Pretty cool toyota channel, May I know how to DM you about testing car diagnostic tools?
re these the raw aluminum ones?
My biggest skid plate plan is replacing the factory bolts on both ends (welding) because they break when removing for maintenance. How are these new one for getting to oil changes and transfer case and all?
@@XzadforSpacefox easy for oil changes but need to be removed for transmission and transfer case
@@XzadforSpacefox The factory bolts and tack welded nut really are horrible and strip/cross thread easily
Is it safe to expose your radiator like that? I want to keep the splash guard.
RCI sells a bumper filler plate for $60. Compliments it nicely.
I would like skid plates to just add on to my TRD Pro. I also wish someone made them in Stainless Steel since I live in the rust belt.
Powdercoated aluminum*
@@stoyasmussen5831 Damn, that’s a great idea! I wonder what the cost in materials would be compared to normal steel 🤔
get the aluminum ones. Aluminum doesn't rust.
Does the RCI front skid plate take away a lot of ground clearance? I find most aftermarket skid plates sit lower than the OEM.
No. Anything you hit with the RCI would've probably hit the OEM skids, but the RCI will actually protect your vehicle, where the OEM skids will cave easily on anything significant.
@@voodooblue6162 I looked between the new RCI skid and my diff and they are almost touching so I think it sits in the same position. I probably should have taken before and after measurements though
Were you running the cartrimhome trd skid plate?
@@mattwaldo4500 I was, yes
Why thread locker not used?
I had a surprisingly difficult time with installing the transfer case cross member. After now driving for 1-2k miles, they are drooping a bit
@@sierraenvy Was the bolt hole rusty? I used an M8 1.25 tap to clean it
Bummer . I checked their website and those LCA skids won’t work with the factory TRD skid .
hm ,,, the price starts from $314. Looks little bit cheaper from your computer screen :)
@@Aiden.K Darn, their sale might be over now
For my 6 years experience. I will stay away aluminum and RCI😅
I get triggered 🤯every time I hear the word “Trans“ these days even if you’re talking about a transmission 😂
@@Valco458 🤣 These skids only identify as The/She/It The Sh!t