I guess I misunderstood about what would happen to the ground clearance with the crossmember and skid. Other than the bump under the transfer case, there is quite a bit more clearance across the width of the truck. The protection is a million times better, and since everything is sloped, it is much less likely you will get hung up. Here are the pix of the ground clearance:

BEFORE (13" - 13-1/8" pretty much all the way across):



AFTER: (12" - 12-1/8" for the bump under the xfer case, >14" rest of way across):

 

just got the FedEx notification... my skid will be here tomorrow!

 

the front one?

 

MINE TOO, MINE TOO. Finally I can check something off my "To Do Before Tellico" list. I'm thinking about leaving it off until the last minute, somehow I think 100lbs of skids might hurt my MPG.

 

yup, the front skid is on it's way. i already have the belly pan here.

 

when will mine get here!!

 

Andy, did you get any bolts with your belly pan? I sure hope they all come with the skid tomorrow.

 

If I give my crossmember bolts any more treatments with Deep Creep or PB Blaster the bolts are gonna fall out on their own! Good things are worth waiting for!!

 

ditto.. mine gets here wed

 

hmmm...i was one of the last ones to pay but i got my front skid on the 18th (was shipped the next day).

I still haven't mounted it yet cause i plan on (pending price) getting the front 45* angled section lazer cut with a "design".

 

i didn't get any bolts yet. i assume they come w/ the skid. i can go to the hardware store and spring for some bolts if i need to...

rocket: you have a 2nd gen and he had them in stock. we had so many 3rd gens to order that he has a backlog.

 

Just picked mine up from my mechanics, this thing is BEEFY, one solid peice for the front alone. Time to get to painting and hanging, if it's not too late I'll post up some pics.

 

awww..im still waiting for mine

 

Still waiting for mine too i was told it was coming last week

 

I havent even recieved a tracking number...oh well

Im sure hes really busy and trying his best to get orders filled. Afterall, Bud is a great guy.

I guess all the good things in life require patience?

 

They sure do, and these things are the definition of quality, A++

I just got off the phone with Bud about how to install these bad boys, and he says he's gonna jump on this thread and update us all with some up close pictures of the steering rack bracket, ect.

Thanks again for doing this Bud, can't wait to see ya in Tellico.

 

My tracking number arrived!! :bounce2:

 

Actually I have a 3rd gen (see sig)...maybe i was just lucky?

a few bolts do come w/the skid.

 

We have trouble in the install department. I managed to grind out the steering rack bracket enough for it to fit nice and tight, but.....

Once I mount the front bolts, none of the other holes line up, there must be something I'm doing wrong, I slid the skid as far forward as it would go but still not even close when it comes to the steering rack bracket. So that throws off the bolts next to the LCA's a bit off too.

Someone help a brother out.

 

Sorry guys for lack of instruction. We've been working on a ton of parts for some online friends and have not kept up with our instructions. This is for Tacos and 3rd Gen 4Runners:

Front skid reuses the 3 stock bolts up in the front of the skid. Uses 2 flat head screws underneath into the stock tapped holes near the rear A arm mount. I use the allen wrench to locate the holes easier. Stick the long end of the wrench up thru the skid and find the tapped hole by looking in on the side. then push it up into position with the wrench in there aligning it all. Then start the other side flat head screw with your fingers. Repeat on other side. You may need to pry or push teh skid around to get them all lined up. THEN tighten the front bolts once both bottom ones are in.

The steering rack mount goes on the back of the steering rack. Remove 22mm nut on drivers side, 19mm bolt on pass side.
Put bracket on stud, bolt thru bracket. Reinstall nut and tighten all down.



The issue MAY come that some trucks this bracket sits at an angle to the front ( meaning NOT parallel to the bends in the skid)
To work around this flaw, we have supplied 2 additional large flat washers. Install them over the bracket and tighten down.
Pass side view:

Driver's side:

Hope that helps!
Bud