Owner Experience Requested - ASFIR Skidplate System (1 Viewer)

[ExpeditionMan]

All,

I'm heavily considering the ASFIR skid plate system for my 2013 LX570 considering my use case. I really like the oil filter housing accessibility, air distribution vents, and lower weight of aluminum. However, I cannot find pictures on the forum of any skid plate installed other than the TC skid. Have any members installed the front, transmission, or fuel tank skids? Lastly, it seems their fuel tank skid does not have a vertical tab to assist with hear reflection from the exhaust and I know fuel boiling can be an issue. Has this plagued anyone with a ASFIR fuel tank skid or other vendor which does not have the vertical tab?

Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Full Skid Plate (4 Pcs)

Manufactured from first-rate laser-cut 1/4" aluminum ‌‌Vehicle specific design ‌Optimal coverage with minimum clearance loss. Direct mounting to the vehicle's chassis. Supported by zinc-coated steel brackets ‌Designed with ventilation hatches and drain holes where required. ‌Easy Bolt-On...

www.asfir.com

 

[HoffCruiser]

I have the front engine skid plate, and I'm very impressed with the design and fit. But the best thing about it, since I don't really do any rough off-roading, is the ability to change the oil without removing anything. And the fumoto valve doesn't get in the way.

 

[Boston Mangler]

I had them on my 100 series and the fit and finish was top notch.

Were a bit thinner and lighter than most though.

 

[ExpeditionMan]

I have the front engine skid plate, and I'm very impressed with the design and fit. But the best thing about it, since I don't really do any rough off-roading, is the ability to change the oil without removing anything. And the fumoto valve doesn't get in the way.

Can you take a picture and share? Some of the stock images of ASFIR make the skid look like it hangs pretty low.

 

[HoffCruiser]

If anything it was the same as stock. To me, it seems to have more clearance than stock.

 

[ExpeditionMan]

If anything it was the same as stock. To me, it seems to have more clearance than stock.View attachment 3709002

Thanks for grabbing me an image. One more request... can you snag an image to show how tight it is from the side? The skid seems to hang low in front of the front crossmember. Is this an illusion from the angle or reality?

 

[HoffCruiser]

I know exactly what you're talking about. There are spacers in between the plate and the frame and I'm sure it does probably hang a little lower, but I don't really care since it already has a lift and I don't do anything serious off road. The oem skid plates had built in spacers, but I'll try to get you a better angle.

 

[linuxgod]

I have engine, transmission, and transfer case skids. I've dented the engine one slightly. I dented the transfer case one but removed it and hit it with a BFH to straighten it. I don't love the 2-piece transfer case crossmember bar they use... I tweaked mine and now it's really hard to remove and reinstall if needed. I do not have the fuel skid.

I think you lose a small amount of clearance over stock. It's 1/4" aluminum vs ~3mm steel and their design I think has more gap from the front diff bash guards.

I'm so-so on the oil filter access panel... it hangs kind of weird. I don't love the pocket washers and I found if you crank down on the hex bolts the lock washers end up falling apart. I assume the pocket washers are their way of protecting the heads of the hex bolts and also of allowing some movement or variation in frame hole locations, but I'd really prefer a recessed mounting plate with a more precise hole size that was welded to the backside of the skid to protect most of the bolt head.

They're arguably more durable than stock, though with any aluminum the material doesn't spring back well after a hard hit, unlike steel. They're pretty light (probably ~60# or so for all 3 combined) and the price was good (somewhere around $900). Their coverage is similar to the factory protection... they're not extra wide and won't protect your cats or other mechanicals, but that does help ensure you're getting similar airflow to the factory design. If you're not bashing on the rocks these are a good option. If you're playing around on hard trails and expect your undercarriage to take some hard hits, you'll get one or two trips out of these (or probably any aluminum) skids.

 

[HoffCruiser]

Here’s a side profile photo.

 

[ExpeditionMan]

I have engine, transmission, and transfer case skids. I've dented the engine one slightly. I dented the transfer case one but removed it and hit it with a BFH to straighten it. I don't love the 2-piece transfer case crossmember bar they use... I tweaked mine and now it's really hard to remove and reinstall if needed. I do not have the fuel skid.

I think you lose a small amount of clearance over stock. It's 1/4" aluminum vs ~3mm steel and their design I think has more gap from the front diff bash guards.

I'm so-so on the oil filter access panel... it hangs kind of weird. I don't love the pocket washers and I found if you crank down on the hex bolts the lock washers end up falling apart. I assume the pocket washers are their way of protecting the heads of the hex bolts and also of allowing some movement or variation in frame hole locations, but I'd really prefer a recessed mounting plate with a more precise hole size that was welded to the backside of the skid to protect most of the bolt head.

They're arguably more durable than stock, though with any aluminum the material doesn't spring back well after a hard hit, unlike steel. They're pretty light (probably ~60# or so for all 3 combined) and the price was good (somewhere around $900). Their coverage is similar to the factory protection... they're not extra wide and won't protect your cats or other mechanicals, but that does help ensure you're getting similar airflow to the factory design. If you're not bashing on the rocks these are a good option. If you're playing around on hard trails and expect your undercarriage to take some hard hits, you'll get one or two trips out of these (or probably any aluminum) skids.

And now I need to find a new skid plate supplier. Thanks for this review.

 

[linuxgod]

And now I need to find a new skid plate supplier. Thanks for this review.

If I didn’t care about weight I think Slee or Budbuilt steel are the way to go.

They’re not cheap but if you want aluminum that will take a beating I would strongly look at either Dissent or the E&E skids. Bud has aluminum as well so that could be an option too.

I also looked at Victory (didn’t love the transfer case protection), Ironman (I’ve heard they sent easily but they are inexpensive), Kaon, and a few other options.

To be fair I went with asfir because I try not to use my skids so the weight and cost savings were attractive. I don’t think they’re a bad choice, but it’s a compromise for sure.

 

[ExpeditionMan]

If I didn’t care about weight I think Slee or Budbuilt steel are the way to go.

They’re not cheap but if you want aluminum that will take a beating I would strongly look at either Dissent or the E&E skids. Bud has aluminum as well so that could be an option too.

I also looked at Victory (didn’t love the transfer case protection), Ironman (I’ve heard they sent easily but they are inexpensive), Kaon, and a few other options.

To be fair I went with asfir because I try not to use my skids so the weight and cost savings were attractive. I don’t think they’re a bad choice, but it’s a compromise for sure.

I messaged Turbo for E&E skids since they show out of stock on the site. I like Dissent but there is no access hole for the oil filter or pan drain plug.

What did you not like about the Victory transfer case protection?

 

[linuxgod]

I messaged Turbo for E&E skids since they show out of stock on the site. I like Dissent but there is no access hole for the oil filter or pan drain plug.

What did you not like about the Victory transfer case protection?

Turbo8 I think does preorders and makes them when he has ~10.

The victory rear skid doesn’t have an aft-most support. If you come down on it I expect it would push upward into your transfer case.