I got one of the underbelly skid plates from Trail Carnage. The FedEx guy was pulling in my driveway as I was pulling out to go the East Coast 4Runner Jam. I was already running late, but decided to install it anyway.

I was in a speed wrench frenzy trying to get it installed and make the meeting with the caravan of folks going to Paragon. Luckily the fit of this thing was wonderful. It bolted right up with no suprises at all. I had the thing on within 10 minutes of yanking it out of the box and blasting down the road I went.

It uses large bolts to attach it to the frame using existing holes that are already in the frame cross members. I was very happy to see the protection it provides to the underbelly of the truck and how well it protects that very expensive transfer case.

The acid test at Pargon was a sucess. There was some nice scape marks on it, but no dents or divits. It is a very high quality plate and it does provide what I feel is very needed protection to the underbelly of the truck.

If any of you guys are looking for an underbelly skid plate for your 3rd Gen 4Runner this one is worth your consideration.

Here are some pictures of it mounted on my truck:



This shows the front part of the plate where it would continue on from the rear of the front plate.



This is the center mounting point. You can see the heavy duty mounting bolts that pass through existing holes in the frame.



Here is the rear section showing the mounting points and how well it protects the very expensive transfer case.

I hope you enjoyed my little update on the skid plate.

Gadget

www.GadgetOnline.com

 

Nice! What year 4Runner do you own??

 

Pretty cool. If I still cared about the 3rd Gen I'd buy one. Right now I have FJ-62 on the mind.

 

That's sweet gadget. How much does it weigh?

 

Just explain to your wife that it would be cheaper for you to have a mistress. I am sure she will understand...

Gadget

www.GadgetOnline.com

 

I really don't know. It was not as heavy as I thought, but still to heavy to hold it up with one hand while trying to insert the bolts with the other. I placed it on a floor jack and jacked it into place then bolted it.

If I had to guess, I would say 35-40 pounds. I am sure Tom at Trail Carnage can give you an exact weight on it.

Gadget

www.GadgetOnline.com

 

Awesome plate - how much did it cost and where did you get it.

 

I got it from Tom at www.TrailCarnage.com

Gadget

www.GadgetOnline.com

 

Thanks Gadget. TOM's website says the plate ships with a rust inhibitor only, how did you final coat your plate?

Are you still happy with the plate after all these days?

mgspann

 

I have not done anything with it yet. I pulled it out of the box and slapped it on the truck with just enough bolts to hold it on and I was driving down the road 15 minutes later.

I will probably pull it off and get it powder coated in chassis black.

Gadget

www.GadgetOnline.com

 

Lookin good gadget. Tom is from here in ga, while i havent had any of his products, many of my wheelin buddies have and they say they are all top notch.

 

Hey Gadget. Hope it is ok to restart this thread. Just wondering if you still like your plate and if you have had it powder coated or painted yet?

 

I have not done anything to the plate yet.

Right now I am trying to decide if I am going to regear or not.

The truck is out of service right now. My A/C idler pulley is AFU and it needs replaced.

I hear Tom is working out the kinks on is front plate. It should be interesting when he gets it done. He is also rumored to be working on a super plate for the front. That sound really interesting...

Gadget

www.GadgetOnline.com

 

I just recently checked out those plates, I think its ~500 bucks for the front plate and rear. The front replaces the thin OEM skid plate, and the newer model covers the whole radiator, something the earlier models did not. Definitely great protection for third gens, something I'm going to put on the long list of things to get.