Another Skid Plate Discussion (C4 & Budbuilt)

[alhounos]

I installed my C4 skids and RCI fuel tank skid today. Pretty easy job, only took about 5 hours including an oil change. The C4 skids looked and felt very well built and beefy. All the holes lined up perfectly, seems like a quality product. RCI fuel tank skid seems fine too.

The C4 skids fit up close to the vehicle, they do reduce ground clearance slightly over stock but not any more than is absolutely necessary. For example, I couldn't get a finger between the exhaust and the center skid. I was also happy to see that the oil drain and filter access panels seem to be in the right location for the GX460, but the filter access may be pretty tricky. I changed the oil before installing the skids, but next time I'll try to use the access panels. (getting the front skid off and back on for every oil change would not be fun)

Added about 120lbs with all these skids, but feels worth it for piece of mind.

 

[alhounos]

I was wondering about this too, since my C4 skids require removal of both of these. But if you think about how they are positioned they are just guards, not structural. The front ones protect the swaybar/engine and the rear ones protect the cats. The skids you replace them with are just as strong and provide way more coverage.

Another consideration im thinking of is some skids have you remove the front KDSS swaybar guards and the subframe brackets, while some skids maintain them. Do they serve any specific functions? Like frame reinforcements or are they just guards for swaybar and Cats?
Im wondering if there's any downsides to removing them.

View attachment 4143200

View attachment 4143201

 

[Acrad]

Budbuilt oil filter panel

 

[Hiluxforever]

The ARB filter access panel.
(Ok its the whole skid.)

 

[BlkGX2011]

I was wondering about this too, since my C4 skids require removal of both of these. But if you think about how they are positioned they are just guards, not structural. The front ones protect the swaybar/engine and the rear ones protect the cats. The skids you replace them with are just as strong and provide way more coverage.

Makes sense.
I also ended up ordering the C4 skids. How long did it take yours to ship?
Any install pics you can share?

 

[alhounos]

I think they shipped in about a week, it was really fast since I was expecting 6-8 weeks.
Here's a pic showing the transfer case and exhaust crossover. The exhaust is the lowest-hanging part of the front of the vehicle and the skid goes right up to it.

 

[alhounos]

Everything installed. already dirty from my dirty garage floor. not sure what to do about that plastic bumper filler piece yet, but it's ok for now.

 

[BlkGX2011]

Just wanted to update:
I finally picked up my skid plates after nearly 2 months. I know on the website it says the lead time is 6-8 weeks, which im not sure why it would take that long, but it would be nice to have a shorter lead time.
The front skid and trans skid line up well. I have an issue with my cross member brace not lining up correctly. I am unsure if they sent me the incorrect one or if its an error on my end with not installing properly. Im emailing C4 about it so I'll update once thats resolved.

As far as clearance, the C4 front skid sits 1 & 1/8" lower than the OEM skid plate.
OEM clearance:
-Front Skid: 10 & 5/8"
-Mid Skid: 10 & 3/8"
-Cross Bracket Support: 11 & 1/2"
-Exhaust: 12"
C4 Skid Clearance:
-Front Skid: 9 & 1/2"
-Mid Skid: 10 & 1/4"
-Cross Bracket Support (Transmission Skid): 11 & 1/2"
-Exhaust/Transfer Case: unable to determine due to alignment/fitness issues

Other than the front skid hanging lower, I do like how much clearance there is at the Mid skid and transmission skid, very close to OEM. The front portion of the skid design leaves a lot of room between the OEM undercarriage components and the skid plate. Not sure why but I think it could have been designed to fit up 1 inch closer and retain more of the OEM clearance.

The Oil filter access is great. Looks like itd be easy to do maintenance.

Im unsure if I will keep them or return them and go with either budbuilt or RCI skids. Will hopefully solve the transfer case alignment issue before determining.

 

[BlkGX2011]

Here are more pics of the Oil filter/drain access:

Here are some clearance pics:

 

[Hiluxforever]

I am.on Matlin Crawler wait list for their new skid.

 

[BlkGX2011]

I am.on Matlin Crawler wait list for their new skid.

Curious how they will design it for the GX460/T4R 5G w/ KDSS. I think the limiting factor is the moving KDSS sway bar, as opposed to the front diff mounts.
Cool concept though.

 

[Hiluxforever]

Curious how they will design it for the GX460/T4R 5G w/ KDSS. I think the limiting factor is the moving KDSS sway bar, as opposed to the front diff mounts.
Cool concept though.

There is room for it to move

 

[Rednexus]

Yikes, I didn't realize the KDSS bar could go that far down. Certainly a big limiting factor for ground clearance on a KDSS vs. non-KDSS rig. Looks like it's a full inch below the bottom of the diff mounts. @Hiluxforever are you going to delete KDSS on your rig?

FWIW, I was at 13" ground clearance under the engine skid with ARB skidplates (no KDSS, GX470 on 33s with 3"/2.5" lift). I since switched to Coastal Offroad DIY kit skids but haven't measured clearance yet (should be the same or better).

With only 9.5" I think you all would drag a lot when wheeling - that's only 0.8" more than an Outback. If you can add bigger tires or crank up the front lift - I'd certainly do it.

 

[Hiluxforever]

Yikes, I didn't realize the KDSS bar could go that far down. Certainly a big limiting factor for ground clearance on a KDSS vs. non-KDSS rig. Looks like it's a full inch below the bottom of the diff mounts. @Hiluxforever are you going to delete KDSS on your rig?

FWIW, I was at 13" ground clearance under the engine skid with ARB skidplates (no KDSS, GX470 on 33s with 3"/2.5" lift). I since switched to Coastal Offroad DIY kit skids but haven't measured clearance yet (should be the same or better).

With only 9.5" I think you all would drag a lot when wheeling - that's only 0.8" more than an Outback. If you can add bigger tires or crank up the front lift - I'd certainly do it.
View attachment 4186441

Eventually, I plan on doing an LCA mount relocation, once my KDSS leaves the building. I dont know if I want long travel, but if i can fit 37s, it will help with the clearance issues. I want to be able to do harder obstacles and lack the clearance. I feel like I am getting about as much out of the truck as I can since I am the only rig thats not twin locked and on 37s with the group i wheel with. So i have little tire syndrome.

 

[Rednexus]

Eventually, I plan on doing an LCA mount relocation, once my KDSS leaves the building. I dont know if I want long travel, but if i can fit 37s, it will help with the clearance issues. I want to be able to do harder obstacles and lack the clearance. I feel like I am getting about as much out of the truck as I can since I am the only rig thats not twin locked and on 37s with the group i wheel with. So i have little tire syndrome.

I can say that I hit a LOT of stuff when I was at ~10" of clearance but rarely hit anything now. I do drag the trans skid but that's NBD, and I got hung op once on the cat protector bar.

 

[BlkGX2011]

So @Rednexus and @Hiluxforever, you both have the ARB skid plates?
What size tires do each of you have currently?
With Icon lift kit and front coilover on mine set to 0.5"-1" lift over OEM, and 31.3" Cooper 265/70r17 ATs, im around 10.5" ground clearance.
I have smacked my front OEM skid several times now that my tires are a bit worn. So I was wanting a skid plate system that didn't hinder my ground clearance as I dont have much to begin with.
I plan to eventually go to 255/80r17s.
I would set my front coil overs for additional lift but would rather retain the down travel for better articulation. I also am not going over big rock gardens as well.
Also thinking of returning the C4 skid plates as I dont think i can justify losing an inch of ground clearance. Rather keep my OEM until I find a more suitable replacement.

 

[Hiluxforever]

So @Rednexus and @Hiluxforever, you both have the ARB skid plates?
What size tires do each of you have currently?
With Icon lift kit and front coilover on mine set to 0.5"-1" lift over OEM, and 31.3" Cooper 265/70r17 ATs, im around 10.5" ground clearance.
I have smacked my front OEM skid several times now that my tires are a bit worn. So I was wanting a skid plate system that didn't hinder my ground clearance as I dont have much to begin with.
I plan to eventually go to 255/80r17s.
I would set my front coil overs for additional lift but would rather retain the down travel for better articulation. I also am not going over big rock gardens as well.
Also thinking of returning the C4 skid plates as I dont think i can justify losing an inch of ground clearance. Rather keep my OEM until I find a more suitable replacement.

I have run LT33x10.5 MTRs, LT285 70r17 and LT285 75r17 currently.

2" lift via coils up front .75 lift spacers in back.

 

[Hiluxforever]

I will measure my skids when I get home.
My clearance is roughly the same front to rear.