Tacoma Skid Plates: Steel vs Aluminum, by Gen

Tacoma skid plates are the steel or aluminum armor bolted under the truck to protect the engine, transmission, transfer case, fuel tank and differential from rocks. This guide covers which plates exist for the 2nd gen (2005–2015), 3rd gen (2016–2023) and 4th gen (2024+) Tacoma, how steel and aluminum compare, and which plate we would buy first.

Short answer: For most Tacomas that see real trails, start with a front (engine) skid, then add transmission and transfer case plates, then a fuel tank skid, then smaller plates for the control arms and rear differential. Choose steel if you hit rocks hard and often, aluminum if you want to save weight and avoid rust. Match the generation and any cab, bed, trim or drivetrain notes before you order.

What a Tacoma skid plate actually protects

Skid plates are named for the part they cover, and most brands sell them individually or as a full set.

Front (engine) skid. Covers the front of the engine and the oil pan area. C4 Fabrication notes the 4th gen radiator bottom is exposed on trucks without the TRD Off-Road package; its 4th gen front skid covers it.
Transmission skid. Covers the transmission pan. Some brands call the middle section a bellypan.
Transfer case skid. Covers the transfer case on 4WD trucks, sometimes with a bolt-in crossmember.
Fuel tank skid. A separate plate, often limited by cab and bed length.
Rear differential skid. Bolts under the rear axle. The C4 Fabrication diff skids extend forward to cover the U-joint and driveshaft yoke.
Control arm, trailing arm and shock skids. Smaller plates for the lower A-arms, 4th gen trailing arm mounts and lower rear shock mounts.

A full set usually means front, transmission and transfer case. Fuel tank and differential plates are usually extra, so read what is included. CBI Offroad Fab, for example, says its 2005–2023 full set does not include a gas tank skid.

Steel vs aluminum Tacoma skid plates

There is no single right answer. These trade-offs are general; alloy, thickness and coating change the picture.

	Steel	Aluminum
Weight	Heaviest option. C4 lists its 2005–2023 steel set at 158 lbs.	Much lighter. Artec says its 3rd gen aluminum system is about a third the weight of a comparable steel system.
How it takes a hit	Tends to dent and bend rather than tear; very forgiving of hard landings.	Usually run thicker to make up for lower stiffness; can gouge on sharp rock.
Rust	Needs paint or powder coat. Several C4 plates must be coated before install unless you pick the powder-coated option.	Does not rust, though steel brackets and hardware still can.
Sliding on rock	Generally slides well, especially once the finish wears.	Many owners find it grabs rock more than steel; countersunk or flush hardware helps either material.
Common thicknesses in our data	3/16 in plate (C4, Fishbone, ICON control arm skids), 3.5 mm and 5 mm plate (DV8), 10 gauge (Cali Raised shock and trailing arm skids)	1/4 in 6061 (Artec), 1/4 in 5052 (Cali Raised option), 3/16 in (Rago, Addictive Desert Designs), 5052 plate (ICON)
Best fit	Frequent rock crawling, heavy trail use, trucks that already carry a steel bumper and sliders.	Overland and mixed-use trucks where payload and fuel economy matter, wet or salted-road climates.

5052 vs 6061 aluminum

Both are common skid alloys. Artec says its 6061 resists gouging better than 5052; ICON and Cali Raised LED use 5052 on several plates. Thickness and shape matter as much as the alloy.

Weight adds up

A steel bumper, sliders and a full steel skid set can add several hundred pounds before you load gear, which eats payload and sags springs. If you are planning a full overland build, check your door-jamb payload figure and plan the armor with everything else.

Tacoma skid plates by generation

Match the year range in the product title first, then read the notes on cab, bed, trim, drivetrain and bumper.

2nd gen Tacoma (2005–2015)

A lot of armor for the 2nd gen is shared with the 3rd gen, so you will see many plates listed for 2005–2023. The C4 Fabrication 2nd and 3rd gen full skid plates are a three-piece 3/16 in CNC-cut steel system covering the engine, transmission and transfer case, with oil drain and filter covers and a bolt-in crossmember. The CBI Offroad Fab 2005–2023 full skid plates come in steel or aluminum and protect back to the transfer case; CBI says they install with basic tools in about 1.5 hours. Generation-specific plates include the C4 2nd gen fuel tank skid (does not fit double cab long bed) and the C4 2nd gen rear differential skid, made for trucks with the 8.4 in differential.

3rd gen Tacoma (2016–2023)

The 3rd gen has the widest choice. On top of the 2005–2023 sets above, the Artec 3rd gen full skid plate system bundles A-arm skids, a bellypan and a fuel tank skid in 1/4 in 6061 aluminum on zinc-plated steel brackets; Artec lists it for 4-door short bed trucks. The Fishbone Offroad 3rd gen underbelly skid plates are 3/16 in plated steel with a textured powder coat. If you run a DV8 3rd gen bumper, the DV8 3rd gen front skid plate pairs with it and has oil filter and drain access covers.

For the back half, the C4 3rd gen fuel tank skid is 3/16 in steel at 53 lbs and does not fit double cab long bed trucks. The C4 3rd gen rear differential skid fits trucks with the 8.75 in differential, which C4 lists as TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro and manual transmission models; it does not fit TRD Sport or SR5. The ICON 2016–2023 lower control arm skid plates are 3/16 in steel and also locate the lower mount for ICON's S2 secondary shock system.

4th gen Tacoma (2024+)

4th gen armor is newer and fitment notes matter more. The C4 Fabrication 4th gen full skid plates cover from the radiator to the transfer case in 3/16 in steel at 122 lbs, and you choose the iForce 2.4L Turbo or iForce MAX hybrid version plus the sway bar disconnect option. The ICON 2024–2025 front skid plate kit is 5052 aluminum and works with the stock front bumper once the lower valance is removed; ICON sells a matching transmission skid for gas automatic trucks. The Cali Raised LED 2024+ complete skid plate set comes in 3/16 in steel or 1/4 in 5052 aluminum.

For single plates, the DV8 4th gen rear belly skid protects the engine and oil pan in 3.5 mm steel, has a removable panel for the drain plug and bolts to factory mounting points. The C4 4th gen fuel tank skid is designed for double cab short bed TRD Sport models, so check your configuration. Bumper-specific front skids from Rago Fabrication and Addictive Desert Designs are built for their own center-mount bumpers, and Rago notes its plate does not fit the OEM bumper or the Trailhunter.

Comparing full skid plate sets

Specs come from the product listings; confirm on the product page before ordering.

Set	Years	Material	Coverage	Oil change access
C4 Fabrication full	2005–2023	3/16 in steel, 158 lbs	Engine, transmission, transfer case	Drain and filter covers
CBI Offroad Fab full	2005–2023	Steel or aluminum	Engine back to transfer case; no gas tank skid	Not stated
Artec full system	2016–2023, 4-door short bed	1/4 in 6061 aluminum	A-arms, bellypan, fuel tank	Access points
Fishbone underbelly	2016–2023	3/16 in plated steel	Underbelly	Not stated
C4 Fabrication full	2024–2026	3/16 in steel, 122 lbs	Radiator to transfer case	Drain and filter covers
Cali Raised LED complete	2024+	3/16 in steel or 1/4 in 5052 aluminum	Full set	Not stated

What to protect first

This is our opinion, based on what tends to get hit and what it costs to fix. Adjust it to how and where you drive.

1. Front skid. It leads the truck into every ledge and covers the parts that end a trip fastest: oil pan, front of the engine and, on some trucks, the radiator. If you buy one plate, buy this one.
2. Transmission and transfer case. These sit low in the middle of the truck and take the hit when you high-center. Some rear sets, such as C4 Fabrication, also cover the exhaust and catalytic converters.
3. Fuel tank. Lower odds of a hit on mild trails, but a damaged tank can strand you. Move it up if you crawl rocks.
4. Control arms and rear differential. A-arm skids help when rocks catch the lower arms as the tires climb. A rear diff skid is cheap insurance on rocky two-track.
5. Shock, link and trailing arm skids. Last on most lists, unless you have already bent a mount or dented a shock.

On a long-wheelbase truck like the Tacoma, the rockers often hit before the belly, so many owners add sliders alongside the front skid. See our rock sliders buying guide.

What to check before you order

Generation and years. Match the title, not just the photo. 2005–2023 sets do not fit the 2024+ truck.
Cab and bed length. Fuel tank skids are the usual problem. The C4 2nd and 3rd gen tank skids do not fit double cab long bed; Artec's 3rd gen fuel tank skid and full system are listed for short bed trucks.
Trim and differential. Rear diff skids depend on axle size, which follows trim and transmission on some years.
Drivetrain. Several plates say they must be on a 4WD truck; on the 4th gen, gas versus iForce MAX hybrid matters.
Front bumper. Some front skids clear most aftermarket bumpers, some need a specific bumper, and some need the factory bumper. Read our Tacoma front bumper guide if a bumper is in your plans.
Lift and diff drop. C4 lists its 2005–2023 full skid set as compatible with a 1 in differential drop, and Cali Raised says its 4th gen front skid is differential drop compatible. If you run other suspension parts, confirm clearance.
Finish. Raw steel needs paint or powder coat before install.

Install and oil changes

Most Tacoma skid plates are bolt-on, but full steel sets are heavy, so a floor jack and a second person help. A few products go further: the C4 Rock Runner front skids require cutting out the factory crossmember below the radiator, and Artec notes its A-arm skids need minor trimming on trucks with the OEM TRD skids.

Check oil change access before you buy. C4, DV8 and Artec list drain and filter covers, a removable panel or access points on the plates above. Without them, plan on dropping the front skid at every service.

What NVMOS carries

We carry Tacoma skid plates from C4 Fabrication, Artec Industries, DV8 Offroad, CBI Offroad Fabrication, Cali Raised LED, Fishbone Offroad, ICON Impact Series Armor, Rago Fabrication and ReadyLIFT.

2nd and 3rd gen (2005–2023)

3rd gen (2016–2023)

4th gen (2024+)

Browse by category: Off-Road Skid Plates, Tacoma Bumpers, Sliders and Armor, Drivetrain Protection, all Toyota Tacoma parts, or shop by vehicle. Armor is often built to order, so check current lead times, and see vendor warranty policies for each brand's coverage.

Shop Tacoma armor →

Shop skid plates →

Frequently asked questions

Are aftermarket skid plates worth it on a Tacoma?

If you drive rocky trails or anywhere you might drag the belly, yes. Factory skids vary by year and trim and are mostly for light debris. If your Tacoma never leaves pavement or graded gravel, spend the money elsewhere.

Should I get steel or aluminum skid plates for my Tacoma?

Steel takes hard hits well but is heavy and needs a coating against rust. Aluminum saves weight and does not rust, but can gouge more on sharp rock. Pick steel for frequent hard rock use, aluminum if weight and corrosion matter more.

Do 2nd gen skid plates fit a 3rd gen Tacoma?

Some do. The C4 Fabrication and CBI Offroad Fab full sets are listed for 2005–2023. Fuel tank and rear differential skids are listed by generation, and nothing listed for 2005–2023 fits the 2024+ Tacoma.

Can you change the oil without removing a skid plate?

On many plates, yes. C4 Fabrication front skids have drain and filter covers, the DV8 3rd gen front skid has access covers, and the DV8 4th gen rear belly skid has a removable drain plug panel. Check the listing before you assume.

Do Tacoma skid plates work with an aftermarket front bumper?

It depends on the plate. C4 Fabrication says its full skids clear most aftermarket bumpers, while Rago, Addictive Desert Designs and C4 Rock Runner front skids are made for specific bumpers. Pick the bumper first.

Do I need a fuel tank skid on a 3rd gen Tacoma?

If you wheel in rocks, it is worth it. Artec notes the 3rd gen tank is plastic and largely bare from the factory. The C4 3rd gen tank skid does not fit double cab long bed and the Artec one is for short bed trucks only; CBI lists a separate long bed version.

Do 4th gen Tacoma skid plates fit the hybrid?

Some do and some do not. The C4 Fabrication 4th gen full set asks you to choose iForce 2.4L Turbo or iForce MAX hybrid, while the C4 4th gen rear diff skid does not fit iForce MAX hybrid models. The ICON transmission skid is listed for gas automatic trucks, so read the fitment line on each listing.

Not sure which skid plates fit your Tacoma? Call a real person at (920) 249-7744 or send us a message, and we will help you sort it out.

October 08, 2026 — NVMOS

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Tacoma Skid Plates: Steel vs Aluminum and What to Protect First