Under engine shields versus armor question (1 Viewer)

[EPC3]

Hello all,
My 2017 LC is at the dealer for 95,000 mile service. They state I need new under engine splash shields... and quoted a price of $1210. From what I can see these are just plastic pieces ( I think 4 in total) . The bolts have all rusted and they will need to cut the plastic pieces off, in order to access a belt replacement.
My question to the group is can I just get an under armor skid plate system instead of spending the money on the plastic shields?
I do not wheel the truck ( yet ) , mostly overland and gravel roads. So I don't need hardcore protection, but the aluminum or steel armor seem to offer better protection for the same amount of money or less even.... I just was not sure if the armor replaces of just augments the splash shields...

I anticipate that I will use the truck more off road in the future so it seemed like money well spent.

Thx
Ted

 

[gasman4u]

Hello all,
My 2017 LC is at the dealer for 95,000 mile service. They state I need new under engine splash shields... and quoted a price of $1210. From what I can see these are just plastic pieces ( I think 4 in total) . The bolts have all rusted and they will need to cut the plastic pieces off, in order to access a belt replacement.
My question to the group is can I just get an under armor skid plate system instead of spending the money on the plastic shields?
I do not wheel the truck ( yet ) , mostly overland and gravel roads. So I don't need hardcore protection, but the aluminum or steel armor seem to offer better protection for the same amount of money or less even.... I just was not sure if the armor replaces of just augments the splash shields...

I anticipate that I will use the truck more off road in the future so it seemed like money well spent.

Thx
Ted

If they're not lying to you, I would NOT spend $1210 on those plastic shields. I would DEFINITELY get some BudBuilt skids of whatever flavor you choose. Actual protection for wherever you want to put it vs plastic garbage they're hocking. I don't know what they will cost, but I would say the marginal cost (if any) for the area they're going to "protect" with the plastic splash shields would be minimal.

EDIT: Looking at the cost of some front end/engine legit BB skids, you're WELL under their quoted price. To reinforce, I would DEFINITELY go BudBuilt.

 

[EPC3]

If they're not lying to you, I would NOT spend $1210 on those plastic shields. I would DEFINITELY get some BudBuilt skids of whatever flavor you choose. Actual protection for wherever you want to put it vs plastic garbage they're hocking. I don't know what they will cost, but I would say the marginal cost (if any) for the area they're going to "protect" with the plastic splash shields would be minimal.

EDIT: Looking at the cost of some front end/engine legit BB skids, you're WELL under their quoted price. To reinforce, I would DEFINITELY go BudBuilt.

Thx...
Do you know if you still need the splash shields or do they get removed when you but on the skids?

 

[gasman4u]

Thx...
Do you know if you still need the splash shields or do they get removed when you but on the skids?

If you're talking about the little black plastic pieces under the lateral ends of the bumper (wind fairings?), they will stay if you want them to. I kept mine. Other than that, all the plastic OEM "protection" comes off. I didn't keep a single other plastic thing on mine.

 

[EPC3]

Got it ... Thx so much ....
I'll look into the skid plates and check out the Bud Built...

 

[TeCKis300]

It's a great question. I would strongly consider your use case and get a set that best supports that use. There's more trades than meets the eye.

Given your use case, I would not jump into the deep end to get the burliest and heaviest designs out there. It's extra weight that doesn't begin to do anything until you actually touch a rock. They reduce payload capacity, ride height, and some have significant impacts to cooling performance, increases underbody heat, and increases the chances of fuel boiling. Depending on design some make servicing more difficult. They also tend to collect dirt. The same corrosion problem you have now may affect aftermarket skids even more significantly.

Suffice to say, it's not all roses. I have a long list of mods and there's enough compromises that I personally continue to run the stock shields. My strategy is to invest in areas that create more capability and clearance to begin with, to avoid contact sports. Sure, the sport may bring me bigger and bigger rocks, but until I have to resort to grinding over them, there are better mods that can be done.

That said, there are some great underbody options that minimize the above impacts. E&E Offroading and Dissents come to mind.

 

[TLC2013]

For superior protection and coverage Budbuilt, E&E, Slee and Dissent Offroad is what I’d use. For more budget friendly systems the Total Chaos ( Aluminum), ARB and Victory 4x4 are also good option to consider.
I went with a full Budbuilt setup in Stainless Steel, great protection but adds some weight.

The aluminum Total Chaos is an appealing option

Toyota Land Cruiser 2008-2021 SKID PLATE & BELLY PAN - LAND CRUISER 200 | TOTAL CHAOS FABRICATION

Toyota Land Cruiser 2008-2021 SKID PLATE & BELLY PAN - LAND CRUISER 200

www.chaosfab.com

 

[EPC3]

Thanks for all the input... I was leaning towards aluminum with the corrosion and weight advantages...I'll check out the Total Chaos, as well

 

[Heckraiser]

I bet someone on MUD has a set of stock skids they'll give you for free or close to it. Do not pay dealer prices for new splashguards under any circumstance--total waste of money. If you plan to do some wheeling in the future, some of the more light duty aftermarket skids will cost about half what the dealer wants and ultimately be more useful. In your shoes, I would probably check your local cruiser club, junk yards, part-outs etc. I'm sure you can get some used stock ones for next to nothing.

 

[Sandroad]

Even if they cut them off, they still have to drill out the rusty bolts they twisted off to install new shields. I strongly suspect the OEM shields are fine and they are ripping you off claiming you need new. Although I suppose they could be damaged, I smell a scam.

 

[lx200inAR]

Here's a pic of all the OEM pieces, just to give you an idea. This is what I removed when I installed my skids. Depending on how much they are wanting to replace, there are quite a few pieces. But you can see how the price could add up. I wouldn't be surprised if their quote is just for those top 3 pieces. I shipped these all to a forum member for the cost of shipping. You might throw a "wanted" add up in the classifieds. It's also a lot of bolts to deal with depending on how many are rusted in place.

Although, as said above, I wouldn't bother replacing any of this stuff unless I got it free. I'd buy something light and that still allows easy servicing.

 

[TeCKis300]

Here's a pic of all the OEM pieces, just to give you an idea. This is what I removed when I installed my skids. Depending on how much they are wanting to replace, there are quite a few pieces. But you can see how the price could add up. I wouldn't be surprised if their quote is just for those top 3 pieces. I shipped these all to a forum member for the cost of shipping. You might throw a "wanted" add up in the classifieds. It's also a lot of bolts to deal with depending on how many are rusted in place.

Although, as said above, I wouldn't bother replacing any of this stuff unless I got it free. I'd buy something light and that still allows easy servicing.

View attachment 3620586

Any idea what the total weight of those pieces are?

 

[lx200inAR]

Any idea what the total weight of those pieces are?

In the box I shipped them in it was 42.4 lbs. That included an incomplete set of bolts. So probably have to take a few lbs off for packing and bolts.

 

[EPC3]

Thanks guys, I'm going with the aluminum Victory skid plates for a replacement that wont rust.
Appreciate all the thoughtful replies
T