TRD skid plate / stock Toyota Rock rails

I noticed Toyota has a part sale on for the 4th of July weekend. 20% or more off. I was thinking about the TRD skid plate for my Off Road Premium along with a move away from the predator steps to Toyota rock rails. All in about $300 off right now for these parts. Any reason not to go this way?

 

Depending on the cost, there are plenty of aftermarket skid plates that not only give better protection, but allow access to the oil filter housing for an oil change without having to remove the skid plate. The TRD skid has to be removed to access that filter housing.

The move from Predator steps to Toyota rock rails means you will no longer have a step to use, but better, somewhat, body protection. Again, aftermarket rock rails allow you to have both. My $.02.

If you have the time and the inclination, there are a lot of aftermarket vendors who offer sales for the 4th also, if you felt like searching.

Welcome to the forum.

 

Not too sure how the rock rails mount but the Toyota stuff is mostly for show. The TRD skid is pretty weak.

 

For $30 more than the sale price of the TRD skid plate, look at the 1/4" steel engine skid from Talons Garage. Its actually two piece, so if you prefer you can drop the front half to do an oil change, although it has cutouts for both the oil filter and drain plug. Plus, if your ORP has KDSS like mine, the factory TRD skid plate won't work. The Talons has options for both KDSS and non.

 

Toyota rock rails mount to the frame .

 

Talon aluminum skid plate is $395 plus tax plus $35 shipping =$457 vs $327 with tax and shipping to your local Toyota dealer. The TRD skid plate is pretty good. This review steered me away from CBI.
https://youtu.be/0_mebxQ5uBg?si=QvGooGTo3K5lYqIJ

 

Just looked . My local dealer has the TRD skid for $244.93 including tax and nationwide free shipping .

 

the toyota rock rails are very solid, frame mounted, and they look great IMHO. unfortunately, they only provide the slightest suggestion of usable step. I like them but I really wish that they extended out away from the vehicle by another couple of inches.

 

if the OEM TRD skid plate came in black i'd buy one RFN. the bare aluminum finish with the red TRD letters is a little much, aesthetically speaking, for my tastes

 

The OEM TRD skid is powder coated, not bare aluminum.
You can do as I did and many others, shoot it with paint and purchase whatever color letters you fancy!

see link:

 

A 5 dollar can of spray paint will take care of the color . Actually I think the stock color is a coating, not bare metal .
Edit: Saker beat me by 2 minutes .

 

Every time I try and paint something, no matter how simple the job, I screw it up. Rattle can, brush, dip, rag…. Every. Single. Time.

 

I was very fortunate lucky to find the stock rock rails on craigslist had to drive about two hours, but they were like new they were at automotive shop. The owner wanted him taken off and didn’t want them. I got them for 150 and they do bulk to the frame, but you are definitely not using them as a step. They really hug the body line,

 

Thanks for this bit of advice (I've got the KDSS).

 

I have the rock rails which bolt to the frame.
Tube 1/8" wall, mount U-brackets 1/4" thick. Bolts seem high grade steel.
Design suggests some kind of collapse engineered for auto roadway collisions.
I installed plastic plugs on the 4 open ends of outer tube.

 

I need to run outside now and check to see if mine are open ended or capped lol

 

The only reasons to buy the OEM rock rails is either a screaming deal or installed at port with a new 4Runner. POI installed options are covered under the 3yr/36k mile warranty.