Skids or sliders?

[BELMONT148]

Gotta decide on one or the other until the end of the year.

I have a Tacoma 4wd and it has a 3" OME lift with stock size tires. I don't plan on up sizing the tires anytime soon because it is my DD and tow rig and I only want to use it for camping and light wheeling. So MPG is more important to me than 1" extra inch of ground clearance.

I can either install sliders with kickouts right now or a Budbuilt front skid. My truck seems to be missing the plastic skid that comes on these truck so my under side is a little exposed right now. However my thinking was that the underside is a little stronger than sheetmetal, and I should protect that first.

What do you guys think? The skid and an ARB bumper will be on in December, I just need a first step.

Thanks,
Jeremy

 

[BELMONT148]

Well, I might be able to do both. I looked under the truck and it would be stupid easy to just bend up some 1/4" plate and bolt on a cheap skid to protect the diff for now. It won't be as jazzy as or have the bolts recessed like a Budbuilt, but for $50 it should do for now.

Jeremy

 

[BELMONT148]

Never mind, I spent my slider money on a crawl-box for the 40.

Jeremy

 

[Brock]

after tires....sliders are the single most needed part in my opinion if there is any chance of impacting a stump, log, tree, rock or other solid obstacle while offroad. Plus it keeps the parking lot door bangers from hurting your rig.

 

[BELMONT148]

I fully agree, however the Taco will just see boat ramps, and beaches for the rest of the year.

The 40 has plenty of armor already, it just doesn't run, and the Taco does so it is getting all the funds for now.

On a side note, I really like the Whiteknuckle sliders. So when I go to buy I will be saving for a set of those. Those, a set of Bud Built skids, an ARB w/ winch and it'll be all set.

Thanks,
Jeremy