Cali Raised LED Transfer Case Skid Plate
Cali Raised LED Transfer Case Skid Plate
On a 4WD Tacoma, the transfer case hangs low under the truck, it sits in the middle where rocks and rut crowns find it, and the factory protection under there is thin. Crack the case or knock an output seal loose and you have a truck that will not send power where it needs to, usually at the worst possible moment.
This Tacoma transfer case skid plate is Cali Raised LED's answer for the 3rd gen truck, and one of the first 3rd gen Tacoma skid plates we would fit after the front. It is built in 3/16" steel or 1/4" 5052 aircraft-grade aluminum, it bolts up with no drilling or cutting, and it comes with a crossbar that is always 3/16" steel, whichever plate material you choose. It fits every 3rd gen Tacoma from 2016 through 2023, as long as it is 4WD.
Two Things to Get Right When You Order
4WD only. A 2WD Tacoma has no transfer case for this plate to protect and nothing for it to mount around. It will not fit.
Tell us if your truck is a manual. Cali Raised ask you to select whether you have a manual transmission when ordering. Make sure you choose correctly, and call us if you are unsure what your truck has.
Why the Transfer Case Needs Its Own Plate
The transfer case splits power between the front and rear axles. On a 3rd gen Tacoma it hangs roughly in the middle of the truck, which means it sits over the crown of every rut and the top of every rock you straddle. Your tyres go either side of an obstacle, and the middle of the truck goes over the top of it.
Straddling Rocks
Keeping the tyres off a rock means the rock goes under the centre of the truck. That is exactly where the case sits.
High-Centring
Come off a ledge or crest a ridge and the truck can rest its weight on the middle of the frame. The plate takes it instead of the case.
Rutted Two-Tracks
Deep ruts leave a raised centre crown. Drive it long enough and that crown wears away at anything hanging low in the middle.
Steel or Aluminum?
You choose the plate material at checkout. Here is how the two compare on this part.
| 3/16" Steel | 1/4" 5052 Aluminum | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 35 lb | Not published, lighter than steel |
| Crossbar | 3/16" steel | 3/16" steel (always steel) |
| Impact | Takes a harder hit, resists denting | Thicker plate in a 5052 alloy chosen for strength |
| Sliding on rock | Slides well and shrugs off scraping | Softer surface, more prone to grabbing on sharp rock |
| Best for | Rock trails and regular hard use | Weight-conscious overland builds |
The crossbar is always steel. Even if you order the aluminum plate, the supporting crossbar comes in 3/16" steel. That is a good thing: the crossbar carries the load into the frame, and Cali Raised keep it in steel for strength. It also means an aluminum version will not save quite as much weight as an all-aluminum part would.
Cali Raised publish a weight for the steel version only. We are not going to guess at the aluminum figure, so call us if the exact number matters to your build.
Will It Stop Catalytic Converter Theft?
No, and we would rather say that clearly than let anyone buy a transfer case skid plate for the wrong reason. Catalytic converter theft is a real problem for Tacoma owners, and a lot of people looking for theft protection end up looking at skid plates.
Here is the honest picture from Cali Raised. Their skid plates were not designed for theft prevention. The transfer case skid does make it more difficult for a thief to get cutting tools into that area, and their transmission skid covers roughly half of the catalytic converter. That is a side benefit, not a guarantee. If theft is your main concern, the purpose-built Cali Raised Tacoma catalytic converter shield is the right part, in 304 stainless with security hardware. If you want proper underbody armour and some extra deterrence along the way, this does that.
What It Works With
| Setup | Compatible? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| All 3rd gen Tacoma 4WD | Yes | Universal fit across 2016-2023 |
| 2WD Tacoma | No | 4WD only |
| TRD Pro factory skid | Yes | The transfer case skid works alongside the TRD Pro skid |
| Going back to stock | Yes | Uses existing bolt holes, nothing cut or drilled |
If you are planning the full set, worth knowing: Cali Raised's transfer case, lower control arm, shock and fuel tank skids all work with the TRD Pro skid. Their front and transmission skids do not.
How It Is Built
- Plate: 3/16" steel or 1/4" 5052 aircraft-grade aluminum
- Crossbar: 3/16" steel, regardless of plate material
- Finish: Durable semi-gloss black powder coat for long-term corrosion resistance
- Hardware: Factory mounting hardware plus Grade 8 fasteners
- Fabrication: In-house in Fort Worth, Texas
The powder coat is there for corrosion resistance, and on a plate that lives over the crown of every rut it is a wear item. The high spots on a hard-working steel plate will show bare metal eventually. That is the plate doing its job. A rattle can of chassis paint once a season keeps rust off it.
Installation
The plate is 100% bolt-on using the existing bolt holes, so there is no drilling and no cutting. You will remove some factory items to fit it, and they can go back on whenever you want to return to stock.
- Get the truck on stands. You are working under the middle of the truck with a 35 lb plate overhead if you went steel.
- Fit the crossbar first. It carries the plate, so get it located and snug before you offer the plate up.
- A second pair of hands helps. Holding a plate in place while starting bolts alone is the slowest part of the job.
- Start every bolt before tightening any. It lets the plate find its alignment on all the mounting points.
- Re-check after the first trip. Standard practice for anything that takes impact.
Cali Raised's step-by-step instructions for this 3rd gen Tacoma transfer case skid are below. Have a read before you order so you know exactly what the job involves.
Transfer Case Skid Installation Instructions (PDF)
Specifications
| Fitment | 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma, 3rd generation, 4WD only |
| Protects | Transfer case |
| Plate material | 3/16" steel or 1/4" 5052 aircraft-grade aluminum |
| Crossbar | 3/16" steel, always |
| Weight (steel) | 35 lb |
| Weight (aluminum) | Not published by manufacturer |
| Finish | Semi-gloss black powder coat |
| Hardware | Grade 8 plus factory hardware |
| Installation | 100% bolt-on, existing bolt holes, no drilling or modification |
| Transmission selection | Specify manual when ordering |
| TRD Pro skid compatible | Yes |
| Reversible | Yes, can return to stock |
| Fabricated in | Fort Worth, Texas |
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Covers one of the most exposed parts of a 4WD Tacoma's driveline
- Steel crossbar on every version, so the load path into the frame stays strong
- Works with the factory TRD Pro skid
- Bolt-on using existing holes, fully reversible
Cons
- 4WD only, so 2WD trucks are out
- No published aluminum weight, so the exact saving is unknown
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this Tacoma transfer case skid plate fit my 2016-2023 truck?
If it is 4WD, yes. Cali Raised build it as a universal fit across every 3rd gen Tacoma from 2016 to 2023. It does not fit 2WD trucks. Remember to select whether your truck has a manual transmission when you order.
Does it work with the TRD Pro skid plate?
Yes. The transfer case skid works alongside the factory TRD Pro skid, as do Cali Raised's lower control arm, shock and fuel tank skids. Their front and transmission skids do not.
Will it stop catalytic converter theft?
Not reliably, and it is not designed to. Cali Raised say it makes it more difficult to fit cutting tools into that area, but it was built as underbody armour, not as a cat shield. If theft is your main worry, the Cali Raised catalytic converter shield is built for exactly that job.
Why is the crossbar always steel?
Strength. The crossbar carries the plate and transfers impact into the frame, so Cali Raised make it from 3/16" steel on every version. You still save weight on the plate itself with aluminum, just not on the crossbar.
Does installing it mean drilling my truck?
No. It is 100% bolt-on using existing bolt holes. You remove some factory items to fit it, and they go back on if you ever want to return to stock.
Complete Your Build
- All Skid Plates including the complete Cali Raised set if you want more than a Tacoma transfer case skid plate
- Cali Raised Catalytic Converter Shield for 2016-2023 V6 automatic Tacomas
- Rock Sliders to protect the rockers while the underside is covered
- Everything for the Toyota Tacoma including racks, lighting and recovery gear
Manual or Auto? Steel or Aluminum?
Tell us your year, transmission and how hard the truck works, and we will make sure the right plate ships the first time.
844-200-3979
