Mixing aluminum and steel skid plates + Which area needs the most protection

[Nicemarmot]

I'm not rock crawling or sending it, I'm mainly a "get from Point A to Point B for camping" guy, in Southern California desert, and I pick lines instead of smashing them. My 2011 GX has about 3" more clearance than stock. I drove a stock 2WD 4runner for 12 years with the factory skids and never had an issue in Death Valley and Collins Canyon where I've done most of my off-road adventures. That said, with my GX's additional clearance and 4WD I'm sure to tackle more than I would have in the 4runner, but still, I won't be sending it, and I do want to keep it on the lightweight side.

RE: skid plates - Any thoughts on mixing 1/8" steel with aluminum? Which areas are the most critical to protect? Which plate(s) do the most work for you? I'm trying to determine an optimal mix of protection, weight management, and value....and I'm thinking that mixing steel and aluminum, and maybe going with less than a full set of plates, could be the answer (I've read everything I could find on GX and 4runner forums but couldn't find enough to draw a conclusion). Thanks in advance.

 

[Jetboy]

The stock skids are pretty good for normal use. I'm not sure you really need anything more by the sounds of it. I don't think it's likely at all to damage anything underneath before you start dragging the rear bumper and sill plate areas. If those aren't an issue, I don't think you really need upgraded skids.

The parts that get the most abuse on my 4Runner are the rock sliders by far, then the rear bumper, engine skid, transfer case area, gas tank skid, and rear lower control arms in more or less that order. The transfer case is the first one on the list without a skid plate. So my first addition was a transfer case skid. But if you're not really hammering on it most people would be just fine with some rock sliders.

 

[BMRisko]

Gas tank would be #1 most vulnerable to me followed by t-case. I however went with aluminum for all the skids in an effort to save some weight. I don't plan on wheeling my '19 very hard in the near future.