So I'm getting ready to install an ARB bull bar on my truck (specs. in sig.) and was wondering what I needed to do to modify the TRD skidplates to work with the truck. I've seen an ARB mounted up and it looks like there was some skid plate work done to make everything fit. Pics would be killer if anyone has them.

 

TRD skid plates? I assume your not talking about the tin foil one that can be added for looks? If your worried about your factory skids, everything should bolt right up!

 

haha, tin foil...

if thats the one your talking about you might as well take it off now while it still looks good and sell it to someone before you destroy it on your first real offroad trip

 

LOL. yeah actually they're not even on right now... I've got a tube bumper I'm building out of 1.75"x0.120wall DOM 1018 Tubing. Just wanted them on there for the weekend as I'm going to head down to sedona and probablly do broken arrow.

I've been looking at getting a BUDBUILT skidplate for the front end. Will that work with an ARB, and if I don't have the ARB installed yet, will the skidplate cover the bottom of the radiator?

 

I'm confused. Why are you putting on a bull bar if you're building a tube bumper?

And here is what the BudBuilt skid plates look like.
http://www.budbuilt.com/new/ifs.html

 

The tube bumper was something I threw together really quickly to give the front end more protection than the stock bumper. my original plan was to fork over the cash for an ARB but from what I've read, it seems I should just finish the tube bumper and buy a BB skidplate. I can buy an OME setup for what the arb costs...
thoughts?

 

I use my tin foil plate for looks only and it's only a 5 minute job to remove it and it is removed before any off road trip I take.

 

haha, you called it tin foil too. im not going to say i dont like how it looks, AND perhaps if it had any strength at all then i would have considered getting one for my truck before i put on the ARB, but instead i chose to spend that money on real skid plates that might actually protect something.

on a side note, when you do have that skid plate on X-AWD, your truck sure does look sexy. i love the green 4runners!!

 

I got it from a member here for like $60 and it does look nice but you can tell by looking at it it won't take a hit from anything much harder than a bug's ass.

I do think the older TRD plates look better than what they stick on the FJs and the Tacomas which really look thin.

****Bling-bling

 

Save your money and build your own bumper. What had you sold on the ARB? Too bad your so far away... I'd consider parting with mine. I have always liked the lines of the TJMs better than the ARBs on the 4Runner. Then there is that gorgeous Schrockworks bumper too... Either way you will be able to build a custom bumper much stronger than any of the arb or tjms. Its nice to have a plug and play bolt on, but if you have already done most of the work why not finish it?
The Budbuilt skids are bomb proof but your DEFINITELY going to need a top out spacer if you get the full belly. Though now that I think about it, it sounds like your going to need one either way. I would wait until you have all the heavy stuff ready/on before you decide on how much extra lift your going to need. I'm trying to remember what I ended up going with but I want to say it was a 1" but I could be wrong. I also highly suggest dealing with Bud he is a great guy and has some great products.

X,
I never said I disliked the skid, just that (and I think we all can agree here) that its there 100% for aesthetics. They accent the stock bumpers well when they don't stick out too far (which I see from time to time) but yours looks nice and snug. I'm not 100% sure how it applies to this thread, but either way I now have HUGE snow envy...

 

you have snow envy... dear god its 80 degrees in my apartment right now, and im sweating balls. time to close the windows and turn on the ac, i would love to jump into a big pool of snow right now, i guess the pool will just have to work for me today though!