10/1/03
This is Mike Nevitt's mnevitt@4x4wire.com version of a replacement skidplate for the 4Runner and Tacoma. It's made out of about 1/8" mild steel and sturdily reforced from behind. I hugs the body tightly and still allows a minimum of 12" under my front end. There is also still room for a 1" diff drop if necessary. Since my factory plates and mounts were badly damaged, I had to redrill many of the holes to make the plate fit. Many people probably won't have that issue. There isn't a provision for draining engine oil and I put a 2" hole through the plate to allow for this frequent service.
The old plates weight 16lbs and the new one weighs 42lbs.
5/23/04
I've bashed the stock transfer case skid plate quite a bit and heard of people tearing off the ears from the transfer case. As a bit more protection, I built a simple plate across that section of the vehicle. It consists of a 21 x 27 x 1/8" plate with holes drilled 17.5" and 11" apart on each end at about 1.5" in. I used some Grade 8 1/2" hardware to attach it through existing holes.
To brace the plate, I used 3/16"x2" C channel across the top of the plate between the case and the vibration damper. It tucks nicely under the front arch of the crossmember.
