You might not realize it, but your car is more exposed to the road than you think. It has a belly full of fluids and engine parts, tires, and axles. Buying a skid plate for your truck can give you peace of mind knowing that your vital parts won’t get dramatically damaged.
With these best skid plates for Tacoma options, you can keep your ride safe from off-road hazards. Read this guide to find the best skid plates for your truck.
Best skid plates for Tacoma
With its rugged looks and a rep for reliability, it remains a popular choice for off-roaders and Toyota fans. During heavy driving, you could encounter rocks that can damage the bottom of the car. If this is the case, installing a skid plate can help protect essential components from damage.
Skid plates must be replaced after a certain period, depending on how hard they are used. Usually, OEM full skid plates cost around $1000. That’s why we have rounded up the best bang-for-the-buck skid plates you can buy online and install yourself.
Best skid plates replacements on Amazon
Your Tacoma stock skid plate is more of a protective splash guard that protects your truck against small debris and twigs. It will eventually get dented by rocks when you go off the road. Should that happens, here are our top picks of the best skid plates replacement for Tacoma:
1. LAFORMO TRD Pro Front Skid Plate
- Compatibility: 2016-2021 Tacoma (3rd GEN) Off-Road or PRO
- Material: Aluminum
- Interchange Part Number : PTR60-35190 , PTR60-35160, PTR6035160 ,Direct Replacement
The first one on our list is the LAFORMO TRD front skid plate. Get your PRO-edition LAFORMO TRD Pro Tacoma front skid plate designed to provide some serious protection!
Stay safe out on the trails by wrapping your Tacoma in an advanced high-quality aluminum skid plate built for off-road driving rigors. Constructed from a strong 1/4-inch thick stamped and formed aluminum, LAFORMO is an affordable alternative to Toyota OEM skid plates.
This unique design features OE fitment and integrates seamlessly with the exterior styling, so you don’t sacrifice looks for safety.
Mount this skid plate on your 2016-2021 Tacoma (3rd GEN) Off-Road or PRO models for maximum protection without breaking the bank.
2. LOSTAR Front Skid Plate
- Compatibility: 2016-2022 Toyota Tacoma Off-Road/TRD PRO
- Material: Aluminum
- Interchange Part Number: PTR60-35190
If you want to protect your Tacoma from all kinds of road hazards, the LOSTAR Front Skid Plate is the perfect solution. It is also made from aluminum, so it’s tough enough to withstand anything you throw at it and will last longer than plastic models.
It comes pre-drilled with secure mounting holes that have been TIG welded for added strength, and all bolts are included (no drilling required). This is an excellent value at less than a couple hundred bucks compared to the Toyota TRD skid plate price.
Lone Star Auto Parts has been the leading supplier of replacement automotive and truck parts for the past 15 years.
3. ECOTRIC Aluminum Front Skid Plate
- Compatibility: 2016-2022 Toyota Tacoma Off-Road/TRD PRO (will fit sport and SR5 models, just need to remove air dam/deflector to fit plate)
- Material: Aluminum
- Interchange Part Number: PTR60-35190
This aluminum front skid plate is the perfect upgrade for your Tacoma to give you added protection underneath your vehicle. It’s made from stamped and formed thick aluminum, then powder-coated with a durable silver finish to resist corrosion.
No modification is necessary to fit directly onto your Tacoma’s existing attachment mounts. This skid plate attaches directly to the frame and stops debris from damaging undercarriage components.
We don’t like that this kit is that instructions are not included; thus, we highly recommend professional installation.
Best aftermarket skid plates shops for Tacoma
If you are looking for an aftermarket skid plate for your Tacoma, the best place to buy it is from a professional shop. These specialized shops know what it takes to build a quality product and will sell you the best skid plates on the market. We have rounded up the top shops that can provide high-quality craftsmanship at an affordable price.
1. Tacoma Beast
Turn your Tacoma into a beast with custom-made skid plates from TacomaBeast.com. Their skid plates are made from CNC cut steel, with a 100% bolt-on design that works with most aftermarket bumpers. We really like the raw and rugged looks of their work.
They offer high-quality steel skid plates for your Tacoma that protect the engine, transmission, and transfer case. Skid plates also include a unique bolt-in cross member to maximize strength and protection for the transfer case.
They also have aluminum skid plates for the radiator, gas tank, gearbox, and engine. Check out their Tacoma skid plates here.
They will guarantee 100% satisfaction and hassle-free returns if you don’t like it.
2. RCI Off-road
RCI Offroad is your one-stop shop for the ultimate protection – with a product built to last. The RCI Skid package for your 2005-Present Tacoma provides three core skid plates: an Engine, Transmission, and transfer case/Cross member. We really like that you can choose from steel and aluminum materials.
Made from a choice of laser cut 3/16in steel or 1/4in aluminum, you can confidently take on any trail. Each piece is constructed with an aircraft-grade material, which allows each plate to be lightweight but strong.
They also have front skid plates that can provide complete coverage of the front of the vehicle, including the front differential, oil pan, and radiator cross-member.
Check out their products here.
3. Runnin 4 Tacos
Finally, we have Runnin4Tacos.com. RCI Offroad is designed, fabricated, and shipped here in the USA. Known for their high-quality products and customer service, their skid plates utilize factory hardware and mounting locations. The all-new plate is twice as thick as any competitor’s skid plate.
RCI Offroad 100% bolt-on kit for all 2nd and 3rd generation Toyota Tacomas. Crafted from American 3/16 Steel, combining factory and grade 8 hardware for high-quality fit.
Choose from RAW or Powder Coat, depending on your desired look and use. The collection includes Front Skid, Transmission Skid, Transfer Skid, Lower Control Arm Skid, and Fuel Tank Skid.
Check out their Tacoma skid plates here.
Is steel or aluminum better for skid plates?
Regarding skid plates, there are two primary materials to choose from: steel and aluminum. Skid plates are often made from both materials, each with pros and cons.
Steel skids are cheaper than aluminum, easier to work with, and more durable than aluminum. The added weight of steel skid plates wouldn’t be so bad, but they tend to get rusty over time (especially if you live in a salty environment). And while they may be easier to install, they can be more challenging to remove if you ever need access underneath the truck for maintenance or repairs.
Aluminum skids are lighter than steel ones, making them easier to mount on your vehicle. They also don’t go wrong in high-salt environments as steel does, but they tend to cost more money upfront (and over time) than their steel counterparts do.
Does Tacoma come with skid plates?
The standard TRD Sport and TRD Pro models come with skid plates covering the engine’s underside. These units are aluminum and protect the underside of the engine from any rocks or stumps that can bang things up.
These units are not marketed as skid plates but rather splash guards. This is because they don’t offer much protection from other vehicles or objects that might hit them.
However, many off-road enthusiasts prefer aftermarket skid plates for extra protection from these situations.
Conclusion
Every Tacoma off-roader should have a set of good skid plates protecting their truck from rocks and branches. Skid plates keep your truck from scratched and dented by rocks and other off-road obstacles.
Manufacturers like Tacoma Beast, RCI, and Runnin 4 Tacos have the best skid plates for Tacoma that you should check out. We hope this article helped you find the best skid plate for your Tacoma. Check out more product guides from AllCarFix here.
