Starting build 18 GX advice

[mundra]

I am starting the build on our 18 GX and would like to get a front engine skid that I don't have to remove to change the oil. I was looking at the RCI cover but I found a few forum members that have said they had to remove the cover to change the oil. Who makes the engine skid that does not need to be removed to change the oil? Right now I have the following RCI items in the cart ready to buy. I have their sliders, transmission cover "aluminum", cat covers "aluminum" and was going to get the engine skid cover but I put that on hold. I have already installed our lift and tires with upper SPC control arms. Also should I grab the rear diff cover or wait on that? I will also be getting the extended range tank as well. Then the rear tire carrier/bumper and front bumper/winch. I have been a little slow getting this going but I am ready to finally get moving again.

 

[Bang Bang]

Check out BudBuilt. No removing the skids to change the oil. I love mine.

 

[mundra]

I was actually looking at Budbuilt.

 

[JDUB fab]

Too bad your all the way down in Florida, because I make custom skids for the GX, I omitted the oil filter trap door on mine, but I have it in the CAD file for future iterations. From what I’ve heard budbuilt’s stuff is strong! My recommendation is 3/16 steel or 1/4 aluminum, anything else thinner is gonna get mangled if you wheel it hard.

 

[mundra]

Too bad your all the way down in Florida, because I make custom skids for the GX, I omitted the oil filter trap door on mine, but I have it in the CAD file for future iterations. From what I’ve heard budbuilt’s stuff is strong! My recommendation is 3/16 steel or 1/4 aluminum, anything else thinner is gonna get mangled if you wheel it hard. View attachment 3607661View attachment 3607662

I am actually in cincy area in ohio.

 

[JDUB fab]

I am actually in cincy area in ohio.

Significantly closer lol but still a haul. If you’re ever coming around NY and looking for a skid lemme know! I can do custom logos/designs. Planning on designing the rear sets when I do the exhaust reroute.
Side note for anyone reading: I also have a tube bender setup and will be building bumpers and sliders soon…

 

[r2m]

Don't worry about using aluminum skids unless you're building a rock crawler. Yeah, I've banged my skid a couple of times on rock gardens, but they've held up great.
If you haven't yet, I encourage you to decide what kind of build you want, such as:

• Overlander
• Light trail
• Camping
• Rock crawling
• Add a little attitude look for picking up the kids at school
• Towing
• Or??

Then develop a build plan and build it up in stages, example:

1. Wheels and tires (unless you're going with 35" tires, then do suspension first)
2. Suspension
3. Skid's
4. Sliders
5. Front and rear bumpers
6. All the other goodies, e.g.: winch, lights, HAM radio, M.O.L.L.E. panels, etc.

Here's a link to my build thread, albeit, a little over the top for most folks: R²M 2013 GX 460 Overland Build

 

[mundra]

Don't worry about using aluminum skids unless you're building a rock crawler. Yeah, I've banged my skid a couple of times on rock gardens, but they've held up great.
If you haven't yet, I encourage you to decide what kind of build you want, such as:

• Overlander
• Light trail
• Camping
• Rock crawling
• Add a little attitude look for picking up the kids at school
• Towing
• Or??

Then develop a build plan and build it up in stages, example:

1. Wheels and tires (unless you're going with 35" tires, then do suspension first)
2. Suspension
3. Skid's
4. Sliders
5. Front and rear bumpers
6. All the other goodies, e.g.: winch, lights, HAM radio, M.O.L.L.E. panels, etc.

Here's a link to my build thread, albeit, a little over the top for most folks: R²M 2013 GX 460 Overland Build

Great looking rig I really like that built. The funds go very quickly. I have already done the suspension, wheels and tires. I am running 33's with an Eibach Pro 2.0 lift that is coilovers. We are planning on light trail and overlanding. Plan is to eventually move west and enjoy the trails and scenery out there. The GX is almost paid for and this is the reason for the build plus RCI is having a great sale that ends today if I go that route. I need a rear bumper/tire carrier to get the current 33 out of the rear cabin area then a front bumper and winch.

 

[r2m]

Great looking rig I really like that built. The funds go very quickly. I have already done the suspension, wheels and tires. I am running 33's with an Eibach Pro 2.0 lift that is coilovers. We are planning on light trail and overlanding. Plan is to eventually move west and enjoy the trails and scenery out there. The GX is almost paid for and this is the reason for the build plus RCI is having a great sale that ends today if I go that route. I need a rear bumper/tire carrier to get the current 33 out of the rear cabin area then a front bumper and winch.

Sounds good!
If you're heading out west, we have the most diverse off roading. Desert and lowlands, cactus, Joshua Trees in the winter and then the summer, mountains, high country pine trees!
Lots and lots of off roading, from mild to wild.

 

[mundra]

Sounds good!
If you're heading out west, we have the most diverse off roading. Desert and lowlands, cactus, Joshua Trees in the winter and then the summer, mountains, high country pine trees!
Lots and lots of off roading, from mild to wild

Yeah, I think I am leaning on the full under belly of RCI skids with the front being steel and the rest being 1/4" aluminum, the gas tank skid and also with the cat covers as well to keep them from being stolen as easily by the tweekers. Also add the RCI sliders with plates for the wife and older generation to get into the GX when it is not in off road duty. I think the plates on the sliders will help with pebbles being throw up since I am running a -10 offset wheel.

 

[Banandalorian]

I am starting the build on our 18 GX and would like to get a front engine skid that I don't have to remove to change the oil. I was looking at the RCI cover but I found a few forum members that have said they had to remove the cover to change the oil. Who makes the engine skid that does not need to be removed to change the oil? Right now I have the following RCI items in the cart ready to buy. I have their sliders, transmission cover "aluminum", cat covers "aluminum" and was going to get the engine skid cover but I put that on hold. I have already installed our lift and tires with upper SPC control arms. Also should I grab the rear diff cover or wait on that? I will also be getting the extended range tank as well. Then the rear tire carrier/bumper and front bumper/winch. I have been a little slow getting this going but I am ready to finally get moving again.

Budbuilt skids have load bearing hatches on the front and engine skids so you can get to drain plug and filter without pulling whole plates off. They are one of the few companies that does a dedicated GX460 plate set and they work great. I think RCI and many others use the same skids for the GX and 5th gen 4runner. They will function as skid plates just fine but you have to either drop the skids or get creative when changing the oil. I've had the full front - fuel tank Budbuilt setup for a couple of years and they work great.

 

[r2m]

Yeah, I think I am leaning on the full under belly of RCI skids with the front being steel and the rest being 1/4" aluminum, the gas tank skid and also with the cat covers as well to keep them from being stolen as easily by the tweekers. Also add the RCI sliders with plates for the wife and older generation to get into the GX when it is not in off road duty. I think the plates on the sliders will help with pebbles being throw up since I am running a -10 offset wheel.

A note about sliders that many don't consider and this is my personal taste and preference. I prefer my sliders to be wide, the reasons?

1. You have a much larger area to plant your foot, and I use it a lot when opening and closing our RTT. I hate standing on the tips of my toes on sliders.
2. Wider will also help from getting door dings from idiots with long doors in parking lots. Let them swing their door hard into my rock slider instead of my door!
3. If you should ever really use them in the wild on a rock or tree, your pivot point will be further away from your doors.

 

[tech703]

I have the victory 4x4 one with the access panel, i replaced the nuts and bolts it originally came with and now oil changes are not so bad. just remove the panel and drain.