Jim_Chow
V8_Fan
Finished installing the 1/4 inch aluminum skids from Talon's Garage on my '23 GX460. I don't rock crawl and at most, go on rutty dirt roads, so my primary concerns are weight, protecting the cats, and corrosion/salt. I bought the complete set on sale (front skid, engine, transmission, transfer) plus the fuel tank skid, which is sold separately.
The transmission plate has side pieces, all 1/4" aluminum, to protect the cats from thieves. I replaced the button/hex fasteners w/ 316 stainless from Bolt Depot for corrosion resistance, used nickel-based anti-seize on the fasteners, and coated the skids with Alumetron polymer coating (used on pontoon boats). I chose to go with Talon's Garage over RCI for three reasons. One, there's more coverage for the front plate. It's not a simple rectangular shape. It flares out to provide more frontal protection. Second, the transfer skid has a slight budge down to clear the cross-over exhaust pipe while the RCI one is a flat plate. Third, the front of the fuel tank skid appears to protect the tank better than the RCI skid. with a longer bevel. Ideally, you'd have the transfer skid and fuel tank skid, as the transfer skid should deflect debris down and away from the front of the fuel tank. I did run into a fitment issue of the transfer skid plate being a tad too long. Talon's Garage worked with me and made a shorter one and shipped it, all free of charge. So if anyone wants the spare plate (will easily fit if you have the OEM gas tank skid, but you need a cross member/beam to bolt it to), PM me.
The transmission plate has side pieces, all 1/4" aluminum, to protect the cats from thieves. I replaced the button/hex fasteners w/ 316 stainless from Bolt Depot for corrosion resistance, used nickel-based anti-seize on the fasteners, and coated the skids with Alumetron polymer coating (used on pontoon boats). I chose to go with Talon's Garage over RCI for three reasons. One, there's more coverage for the front plate. It's not a simple rectangular shape. It flares out to provide more frontal protection. Second, the transfer skid has a slight budge down to clear the cross-over exhaust pipe while the RCI one is a flat plate. Third, the front of the fuel tank skid appears to protect the tank better than the RCI skid. with a longer bevel. Ideally, you'd have the transfer skid and fuel tank skid, as the transfer skid should deflect debris down and away from the front of the fuel tank. I did run into a fitment issue of the transfer skid plate being a tad too long. Talon's Garage worked with me and made a shorter one and shipped it, all free of charge. So if anyone wants the spare plate (will easily fit if you have the OEM gas tank skid, but you need a cross member/beam to bolt it to), PM me.
