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Aftermarket Skids - KDSS and Diff Drop

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by LA260, Mar 27, 2021.

  1. Mar 27, 2021 at 1:04 PM
    #1
    LA260

    LA260 [OP] New Member

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    I'm looking to get aftermarket skids just so that I don't have to deal with removing the skids to change the oil filter. It's a hassle specially with spacers that must be used with diff drop! Wondering which of the skid plates besides RCI will work with KDSS and diff drop 100%.
     
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  2. Mar 27, 2021 at 1:33 PM
    #2
    Mtbpsych

    Mtbpsych New Member

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    Is this a KDSS only thing with needing spacers for the skid plate and/or diff drop?
     
  3. Mar 27, 2021 at 1:56 PM
    #3
    LA260

    LA260 [OP] New Member

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    AFAIK it's not KDSS only thing.
     
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  4. Mar 27, 2021 at 2:01 PM
    #4
    Mtbpsych

    Mtbpsych New Member

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    I have a diff drop and have never had to remove any kind of spacers? It takes like 2 minutes to undo the bolts for the skid plate to access the oil filter. Just trying to make sense of what you’re trying to accomplish. Do you have spacers on your skid plate?
     
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  5. Mar 27, 2021 at 2:16 PM
    #5
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    RSG sliders, Yakima offgrid basket, Pro-Comp wheels, SOS Streamline bumper and skids, Warn VR EVO10S winch + Ultimate Sidewinder, Bilstein 6112 + 5100 + rear lift coils, Rigid Dually SS ditch lights w/Caliraised brackets and OEM style dash switch
    Some skids are not compatible with KDSS. As far as I know, most are compatible with diff drops. I think this question applies to anyone with KDSS and a diff drop.

    I have KDSS but no diff drop. I only lifted 2.3" so it wasn't necessary. I can tell you that the SOS skids I bought were NOT compatible with KDSS. this led to me having a custom front skid built, which actually ended up better overall for me.

    I believe RSG makes a KDSS skid, but can't confirm whether it's compatible with a diff drop. A few other manufacturers do as well. Your best bet is to confirm fitment with the manufacturer. I learned this the hard/expensive way.
     
  6. Mar 27, 2021 at 2:54 PM
    #6
    Mtbpsych

    Mtbpsych New Member

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    Ahhhh thanks for clearing that up! What about OEM? It sounds like OP has an OEM skid and is trying to go aftermarket to make things easier?
     
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  7. Mar 27, 2021 at 2:55 PM
    #7
    LA260

    LA260 [OP] New Member

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    Yes. I do have spacers on my skid plate. Without the spacers the skid cannot be installed. This is with Dobinson diff drop kit. Other kits may not need spacers I'm assuming.

    Yup. I'm trying to avoid getting a skid and finding out that it wont work with my setup. I just trust an actual owner vs what the manufacturer has to say as far as fitment goes. Learn that the hard way lol (not 4runner related but still)
     
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  8. Mar 27, 2021 at 3:03 PM
    #8
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    RSG sliders, Yakima offgrid basket, Pro-Comp wheels, SOS Streamline bumper and skids, Warn VR EVO10S winch + Ultimate Sidewinder, Bilstein 6112 + 5100 + rear lift coils, Rigid Dually SS ditch lights w/Caliraised brackets and OEM style dash switch
    The OEM skids don't hold up well to regular use. :D after a few trips in some rocky trails, mine had definitely had enough.

    20190901_093750_(1).jpg

    I wish I could be more help. But, I haven't really heard of any manufacturers saying things were compatible when the weren't.
     
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  9. Mar 27, 2021 at 3:38 PM
    #9
    Dark Knight

    Dark Knight Get off my lawn

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    Victory4x4 skid was perfect for my kdss application.
     
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  10. Mar 27, 2021 at 4:12 PM
    #10
    LA260

    LA260 [OP] New Member

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    Thanks. Do you also have a diff drop?
     
  11. Mar 27, 2021 at 4:46 PM
    #11
    Tuco S.

    Tuco S. New Member

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  12. Mar 27, 2021 at 5:21 PM
    #12
    Dark Knight

    Dark Knight Get off my lawn

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    No but I have the treaty oak Offroad kdss spacers.

    victory4x4 was very responsive to questions I had. Give them a shout, I bet they can answer any questions quickly.
     
  13. Mar 29, 2021 at 7:08 AM
    #13
    Crossfit4Runner

    Crossfit4Runner New Member

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    I went with RCI non KDSS
     
  14. Mar 29, 2021 at 7:17 AM
    #14
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    Do you have KDSS and a diff drop?

    That is what the OP is asking about; skids that are confirmed compatible with both KDSS and a diff drop.
     
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  15. Mar 29, 2021 at 7:31 AM
    #15
    Crossfit4Runner

    Crossfit4Runner New Member

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    As stated non KDSS yes I do have a diff drop. RCI makes skids for both KDSS and non KDSS
     
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  16. Mar 29, 2021 at 7:53 AM
    #16
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    Right. But the OP is looking for confirmed fitment with KDSS and a diff drop. Just wanted to confirm.
     
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  17. Mar 29, 2021 at 8:04 AM
    #17
    DRH

    DRH TRD Broverlander Extraordinaire

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    The skids that leave the frame supports in place will work with a diff drop without spacers. If the skid requires the frame members to be omitted, spacers will be required to get the clearance.
     
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  18. Mar 29, 2021 at 9:34 AM
    #18
    koukimonster

    koukimonster DYNO4

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    ^ I'd say that is too simple a generalization.

    The entire design of the skid plate must be taken into consideration.

    Once you start looking *really* closely at the various aftermarket skid plate designs, you'll notice that they all achieve what they want in different ways.

    OP just needs to start looking at skids and come up with some wants. Then confirm here or with manufacturer differential clearance. Since not all "diff drops" are equal, it may be a bit of a gamble in the end.

    There is a good thread on the other 4Runner forum that lists just about every skid available. There was another good thread here, a few weeks back, that also had a lot of good info.

    Can't help much off the top of my head because I'm non-KDSS, and as such, wasn't paying any attention to low-hanging KDSS compatible skids. :p For me (non-KDSS), the contenders were TRD Pro, M.O.R.E., HeftyFab, C4 Fabrication, and RCI.
     
  19. Mar 29, 2021 at 2:55 PM
    #19
    LA260

    LA260 [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for the suggestions. I like CBI and C4 and considering the insane shipping costs for CBI I like C4 a little more. Sent both emails re my question.
     
  20. Mar 29, 2021 at 7:52 PM
    #20
    Tuco S.

    Tuco S. New Member

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    C4 is currently quoting a 15 week lead time, just fyi.
     
  21. Mar 29, 2021 at 8:34 PM
    #21
    DRH

    DRH TRD Broverlander Extraordinaire

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    Whatever brand you go with be sure to do the lift first because it drops the clearance down. I have a few marks from misjudging the clearance loss before I could get the 3" lift done.
     
  22. Apr 27, 2021 at 9:11 AM
    #22
    LA260

    LA260 [OP] New Member

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    I'm most likely going to go with RSG. C4 doesn't even quote delivery dates anymore and CBI's shipping $$ is just crazy. Just need to find out if Fumoto valve can be accesses without removing the RSG Skid. The hole looks kinda small..
     
  23. Sep 6, 2021 at 7:05 PM
    #23
    HornedOwl

    HornedOwl New Member

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    I have KDSS, diff drop and installed the RSG skid plate today. Fits great.
     
    Last edited: Sep 6, 2021
  24. Nov 23, 2021 at 7:57 AM
    #24
    El Tibu

    El Tibu New Member

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    Hi there , I have KDSS with an RSG skid plate, what I like to know is what brand of diff drop did you install? Also to all you out there who have an RSG skid plate a Fumoto oil drain valve can be installed and can be accessed without taking off the skid plate. There is a pre drilled hole in the plate where you can access the Fumoto valve.
    Thanks.
     
  25. Nov 23, 2021 at 11:54 AM
    #25
    HornedOwl

    HornedOwl New Member

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    Just a basic no name drop. I believe is something like this off Amazon-
    https://www.amazon.com/KSP-Machined...&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584207577333600&th=1
     
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  26. Nov 23, 2021 at 12:00 PM
    #26
    whippersnapper02

    whippersnapper02 New Member

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    A diff drop is not needed ever.
     
  27. Nov 23, 2021 at 12:02 PM
    #27
    HornedOwl

    HornedOwl New Member

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    I put a 23" preload on my kings though
     
  28. Nov 23, 2021 at 12:07 PM
    #28
    whippersnapper02

    whippersnapper02 New Member

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    The effect from a diff drop is minimal on the CVs and the drop rotates the diff down which pulls some lube away from the pinion bearing. If the front diff bearings are going to fail, they're going to fail. There's a thread now in T4R where it failed even after the ECGS bushing was installed
     
  29. Nov 23, 2021 at 12:49 PM
    #29
    Slopemaster

    Slopemaster Slope Survivalist

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    I’ve compared my 4runner with a diff drop to a friends 4Runner with same lift height and no diff drop and there was a substantial difference in the cv angles. Her cv angles were much more pronounced.
     
  30. Nov 23, 2021 at 12:58 PM
    #30
    HornedOwl

    HornedOwl New Member

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    I was kidding by the way
     
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