Skid Plate
Skid Plates: Engine, Transmission & Full Underbody Protection
We carry skid plates from RCI Metalworks, CBI Off Road Fab, NyTop, RalliTEK, and Cali Raised LED for Toyota Tacoma, Toyota 4Runner, Lexus GX470, Lexus GX550, Ford F150, and Subaru Crosstrek. Single-component options like an engine plate or fuel tank shield start at $349.99. Full underbody packages that cover engine, transmission, and transfer case start at $736 and run up to $1,178 for nose-to-tail kits on the 2024+ Tacoma. Every product is made in the USA from CNC-cut steel or laser-cut aluminum and ships free. Call us at 844-200-3979 for help matching the right kit to your year and trim.
Featured Skid Plates
RalliTEK Front Skid Plate for Subaru Crosstrek
Price: From $349.99
Type: Front engine skid plate | Fits: Subaru Crosstrek 2013-2017
Build: 1/8" aluminum, slim profile, full bolt-on
The most affordable option in our lineup. Crafted from 1/8" aluminum, this RalliTEK shield protects the Crosstrek's underbody from rocks, low-lying branches, and trail debris while keeping ground clearance loss to a minimum. The slim profile actually improves radiator airflow over the factory plastic plate.
CBI Rear Skid Plate for Toyota Tacoma
Price: From $360.00
Type: Rear skid plate | Fits: Toyota Tacoma 3rd Gen 2016-2022
Build: Steel or aluminum, 85 lbs, made in the USA
Built by CBI Off Road Fab specifically for the 3rd gen Tacoma rear underbody, this plate covers the rear differential and protects components a stock plastic shroud leaves exposed. Choose steel for rocky terrain or aluminum to save weight.
NyTop Catalytic Converter Shield for Lexus GX550
Price: $399.99
Type: Cat shield + transmission plate | Fits: Lexus GX550 2024+
Build: 1/4" aluminum, direct bolt-on Overtrail OEM replacement
A dual-purpose 1/4" aluminum shield that protects the catalytic converter and transmission on the new GX550. Designed as a direct bolt-on replacement for the Overtrail OEM rear section. Mounting hardware included.
RCI Engine Skid Plate for 4Runner 4th Gen / GX470
Price: $405.00
Type: Engine skid plate | Fits: Toyota 4Runner 4th Gen 2003-2009, Lexus GX470
Build: 3/16" CNC-cut steel or 1/4" laser-cut aluminum
RCI Metalworks' bestselling engine skid plate for the 4Runner 4th Gen and GX470. Protects front cross-members, the low-hanging front differential, and the oil pan. Bolt protector rings shield exposed bolts from rock strikes. Bolts to factory attachment points with no drilling.
RCI Engine Skid Plate for Ford F150
Price: From $429.00
Type: Engine skid plate | Fits: Ford F150 4WD 2015 to current
Build: 10 gauge steel or 1/4" 5052 aluminum
RCI's F150 engine skid plate protects the EPAS power steering, front differential, front cross-member, engine bay, and the EcoBoost intercooler. Six mounting points, two-piece design, and access ports for oil filter changes without removing the plate.
CBI Full Skid Plate for Toyota 4Runner 5th Gen
Price: From $736.00
Type: Full skid plate package | Fits: Toyota 4Runner 5th Gen 2010-2022
Build: 3/16" steel or 1/4" aluminum, integrated drain ports
CBI Overland Fab's full underbody package for the 5th gen 4Runner. Built from 3/16" steel plate or 1/4" aluminum with integrated drain ports to eliminate suction and trapped water. No drilling, no cutting, simple bolt-on installation to factory mount points. This is the popular pick among 4Runner skid plates for builds doing real overlanding mileage.
RCI Full Skid Plate Package for Ford F150
Price: From $835.00
Type: Full skid plate package | Fits: Ford F150 2015 to current
Build: Front + transmission + transfer case plates
RCI's complete underbody armor for the F150. Front, transmission, and transfer-case plates in one package. Engineered for both daily use and off-road work, with simple subsection removal for maintenance access. Among F150 skid plates this is the most popular full package we ship, made in the USA by RCI Metalworks.
Cali Raised LED Complete Skid Plate Collection for 2024+ Tacoma
Price: From $1,178.09
Type: Complete underbody package | Fits: Toyota Tacoma 4th Gen 2024+
Build: Laser-cut, CNC-bent, hybrid compatible, made in the USA
Nose-to-tail coverage for the 4th gen Tacoma. Shields the engine, transmission, transfer case, fuel tank, and lower control arms in one integrated system. Every plate is laser-cut and CNC-bent to follow the truck's geometry without giving up ground clearance.
Underbody Protection Compared
| Type | What It Protects | Material | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Skid Plate | Oil pan, front cross-members, front differential | Steel or aluminum | The first upgrade every off-road build needs | $405 - $429 |
| Transmission Plate | Transmission, mid cross-member | Steel or aluminum | Long-distance overlanders, lifted rigs | $325 - $389 |
| Fuel / Gas Tank Shield | Fuel tank, fuel lines | Steel preferred for severe rocky terrain | Anyone who has ever dented a tank | $415 - $480 |
| Catalytic Converter Shield | Cat converter, exhaust, sometimes transmission | Aluminum (modern late-model rigs) | 2024+ rigs with exposed cat converters | $399.99 |
| Full Package | Engine + transmission + transfer case | Steel or aluminum, made in the USA | Builds doing real overlanding mileage | $736 - $835 |
| Complete Nose-to-Tail Collection | Engine, transmission, transfer case, fuel tank, LCAs | Hybrid system, CNC-bent | Hard-use builds, technical trail work | $1,178+ |
What Skid Plates Actually Do
Skid plates are metal or composite shields installed on the underside of a vehicle to protect vulnerable components from physical damage. They absorb impacts from rocks and trail obstacles that would otherwise puncture or crush vital parts, and they distribute the force of a direct hit across the entire surface so a sharp rock can't strike one exposed component. Just as importantly, the smooth flat face lets your rig glide over obstacles instead of catching on them, which is the difference between rolling forward and getting hung up on a ledge.
Modern systems are strategically placed to cover the highest-risk areas under your vehicle: the oil pan, transmission, fuel tank, transfer case, and front and rear differentials. The oil pan plate alone can prevent a catastrophic puncture that would dump your engine oil and end your trip with a tow bill, and a thicker aftermarket fuel tank shield prevents punctures that lead to dangerous fuel leaks. This is why a basic upgrade for any off-road build typically starts with protecting the engine and oil pan first.
Look for recessed bolt heads. A skid plate is only as strong as its bolts. Quality designs use recessed bolt heads or bolt protector rings to prevent bolt shearing during a rock impact. Cheap units leave bolts exposed, which means a single rock strike on a bolt head can tear the plate off mid-trail.
Steel vs Aluminum vs Composite
The choice of material affects weight, cost, and the maximum impact protection you get. Steel skid plates are the most durable option and the right call for severe rocky environments. Steel handles direct hits from sharp rocks better than any other material, and is typically less expensive up front. The trade-off is weight (a full steel package adds 75-100 lbs to your underbody) and the fact that steel can rust over time without a quality powder coat finish.
Aluminum is lighter (often 30-40% less than equivalent steel), corrosion-resistant, and requires no finish or paint before installation. It's substantially stronger than factory plastic shields and offers the best strength-to-weight ratio for daily-driven rigs and weight-conscious overlanders. The trade-off is that aluminum is softer than steel, so for hard rock crawling we still recommend the steel version. Plastic or composite plates (the kind that come from the factory) allow easy sliding over obstacles but aren't tough enough to absorb the kind of massive impacts you'll see in real off-road use.
Vehicle-Specific Notes
The Toyota Tacoma is the most popular overland platform in the country, which is why both the 3rd gen (2016-2022) and the 4th gen (2024+) have deep options across price points. Among Tacoma skid plates, CBI builds the most popular individual rear units for the 3rd gen, while the new 2024+ Tacoma is best served by the Cali Raised LED nose-to-tail system since the 4th gen chassis is redesigned and most aftermarket brands haven't fully caught up yet.
The Toyota 4Runner and Lexus GX470 share a chassis from 2003-2009, which is why the RCI engine plate fits both. The 5th gen 4Runner (2010-2022) is its own ecosystem and is well-served by CBI's full package. For the 2024 Lexus GX550, NyTop's catalytic converter shield is currently the cleanest aftermarket upgrade until more brands release dedicated systems for the new platform.
Ford F150 owners running 2015-current trucks should grab the RCI engine plate as a starting point, then upgrade to the full package once the budget allows. The full RCI kit covers engine, transmission, and transfer case, which is the realistic minimum for any 4WD F150 doing actual off-road work. We also stock skid plates for Subaru Crosstrek, Jeep Gladiator, RAM 1500, Bronco, and other rigs; if you don't see your exact year and trim on this page, message us and we'll point you to the right kit.
What to Look For When Choosing
Steel thickness should be 3/16" minimum on the impact face for any plate that will see actual rock work; aluminum thickness should be 1/4" minimum. Bolt-on installation to factory attachment points (no drilling) makes installation a 30-minute job instead of a half-day shop visit. Reinforced edges between cross-members add rigidity in the spots that flex most under load. Service openings for oil filter access matter more than people realize: if you have to remove the plate to change your oil, you'll skip the change. And smooth flat surfaces matter because a unit with bolt heads or brackets sticking down catches on obstacles that a proper design glides over.
Regular maintenance also matters. These plates trap mud, leaves, sand, and trail debris, so plan to remove or rinse them after wet trips to prevent corrosion. The good news is that quality units from RCI, CBI, NyTop, and Cali Raised are designed with drain ports and easy subsection removal so cleaning takes minutes, not hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are skid plates necessary for off-road driving?
For any vehicle that sees real trail use, yes. Factory plastic shields protect against road debris but won't survive a rock strike. A real aftermarket plate prevents oil pan punctures, fuel tank damage, and transmission case cracks that would end a trip and cost thousands to repair. The cost is usually less than a single recovery tow plus repair bill.
Steel or aluminum skid plates: which should I buy?
Steel for hard rock crawling, severe terrain, and the lowest cost. Aluminum for weight-conscious daily-driven rigs, anyone wanting corrosion resistance with no finish required, and overlanders running long-distance trips where every pound matters. Both options from RCI and CBI are substantially stronger than the factory plastic.
How much do skid plates cost?
Individual units typically range from about $349.99 to $480 depending on the vehicle and material. The average for popular models like the Toyota Tundra and Land Cruiser falls between $350 and $450. Full multi-piece packages (engine, transmission, transfer case) start around $736 and go up to $1,178+ for nose-to-tail systems on premium platforms like the 2024+ Tacoma.
Can I install skid plates myself?
Yes. Almost every product we carry is bolt-on with no drilling required. Most install in 15-45 minutes per piece using factory attachment points. Use a torque wrench, apply thread-locking compound to all bolts, and re-torque after the first 1,000 miles of driving. If you're installing a full package, plan on 2-4 hours total for the first install.
Will skid plates affect my ground clearance?
Quality aftermarket units are CNC-cut and CNC-bent to follow the truck's geometry, so the ground clearance loss is typically less than half an inch. The benefit is huge: instead of catching exposed components on rocks, the smooth flat face lets you slide over obstacles. Slim profile designs from RalliTEK and integrated systems from Cali Raised LED minimize the trade-off.
Related
Off Road Bumpers
Pair underbody armor with front and rear bumper protection.
Rock Sliders
Complete the underbody armor system with rocker protection.
Need Help Picking the Right Skid Plate?
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