Description
1/4” Aluminum Lower Skid Plate
For additional underbody protection we designed our Alpha A/T Toyota Tacoma Front Bumper Lower Skid Plate. This design uses a 1/4” 6061-T6 aluminum skid plate that joins to the Upper Skid Plate of the Alpha A/T Toyota Tacoma to provide additional ground impact and rock strike protection for the factory radiator, frame components, and front suspension mounting points.Our aluminum construction offers the advantages of lightweight and high-strength protection, but in this specific application it brings another strong advantage over steel: rust proof. Skid plates are going to take damage, especially to the powder coating, and if you are using a steel skid plate that means you are going to see rust unless you are quick with the touch up paint. Our all aluminum design doesn’t need coating, we could ship them uncoated and they would never rust. The powder coating is there for appearance, so you can leave those battle scars as badges of honor.
And even though we could ship them uncoated we want them to look as good as they perform. Both the skid plate and bash plate components receive a 2-stage matte black powder coating. All fasteners are grade 8.8 and OE-grade triple coated for maximum corrosion protection (1000+ hr salt spray test).
Designed for use with the Alpha A/T Toyota Tacoma system, will not work with factory or other aftermarket bumpers.
Features- 1/4” 6061-T6 Aluminum Construction
- High-Impact Resistant Design
- Lightweight / High-Strength
- Corrosion Resistant Aluminum Construction
- 15.5 lbs (Installed Weight)
- 2-Stage Powder Coating
- Triple Coated Grade 8.8 Fasteners
- US-Made
- No Cut / No Drill Installation
Why Aluminum for a Skid Plate?
Why would we use anything else? An important part of good engineering and design is using the right materials for application. And in the case of a skid plate aluminum is the logical material for the job. While we are all about innovative design we aren’t the first to use aluminum for skid plates, this material has been used for years for this application. The design goal for a skid plate is simple: Protect the components behind the skid plate and withstand the secondary abuses of the usage environment.We start with 1/4” thick 6061-T6 aluminum plate. 1/4” plate gives us comparable impact resistance of 3/16” steel plate with a considerable reduction in weight. In addition we add small drain holes to allow water and mud to run off.
In addition to protecting the vehicle components when you hit an obstacle a well designed skid plate must also allow the vehicle to slide over obstacles with as little resistance as possible. Whether at speed or during recovery operations the less drag on the underside of the vehicle the easier it is to drive through or be pulled through whatever obstacle you’re facing.
Our slid plate design provides a “ramp” for the vehicle in the event of striking an obstacle at speed or when the vehicle is being pulled across the obstacle. By reducing the number of “drag” or “snag” points under the vehicle our Upper and Lower Skid Plate System allows the vehicle to more easily clear obstacles.
Corrosion and Coatings
As the primary function of the skid plate is to take impact abuse while protecting the vehicle. With a steel skid plate that presents an obvious problem: Rust. As each heavy impact is most likely going to damage and remove the protective paint or powder coating this will leave the underlying structure exposed to the elements. If that structure is made from steel that means you are facing rust or time spent repairing the damaged/removed coating.With aluminum this is not an issue as the aluminum, on contact with oxygen in the atmosphere, develops a surface oxide layer that protects the aluminum. This oxide layer reforms immediately if damage occurs. Our all aluminum design doesn’t need coating at all to withstand corrosion and we could ship them uncoated without issue. The powder coating is there for appearance and you can leave those skid plate battle scars as badges of honor.
Fasteners
To ensure high-strength performance we use all grade 8.8 fasteners on the Dual-Plate Front Skid Plate. These are treated with a 3-stage OE-grade coating for maximum corrosion protection (1,000+ hr salt spray test certification).Weight- 15.5 lbs (Installed)
Materials
- 1/4″ 6061-T6 Aluminum
- Laser Cut and CNC Bent
Powder Coating and Protection
- Corrosion Resistant Aluminum Construction
- 2-Stage Powder Coating
- Triple Coated Grade 8.8 Fasteners
Design
- High-Impact Resistant Design
- Lightweight / High-Strength
Vehicle
- 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma (w/ Alpha A/T Toyota Tacoma)
Required Tools and Materials:
The Alpha A/T Toyota Tacoma Front Bumper Lower Skid Plate is a No Cut / No Drill installation. To efficiently complete the installation of your Alpha A/T Toyota Tacoma Front Bumper Lower Skid Plate you will need the following tools and materials, in addition to those parts supplied with your Alpha A/T Toyota Tacoma Front Bumper Lower Skid Plate.Tools
- 17mm Socket (and suitable ratchet)
- 17mm Wrench (box/open)
Materials
- Touch-up Paint (for vehicle frame touch-up if original coating has been damaged)
