Toyota Tundra Skid Plates: Buying Guide by Generation
Most of what keeps a Tundra moving hangs below the frame: front differential, oil pan, transmission, transfer case, fuel tank and catalytic converters. Factory protection is thin or missing in places. This guide covers Tundra skid plates by generation, zone and material, plus how lifts and TRD Pro plates change things.
Short answer: Match the plate to your generation first: 2007-2021 and 2022 and newer trucks use different plates. For most owners, the place to start is an engine skid plus a transmission and transfer-case skid, sold together as a package by RCI. Add fuel tank, rear differential, A-arm and catalytic guards as needed. Choose steel for what RCI calls better value, or aluminum to save weight, and check lift, hybrid and TRD Pro notes on each listing before you order.
What each Tundra skid plate protects
Each plate covers one zone, as described in the listings.
- Front or engine skid. RCI says its engine skids protect the power steering unit, front differential, front cross-member, engine and radiator area. M.O.R.E. says its 2007-2021 front plate protects the oil pan, replacing a factory sheet of about .050 inch.
- Transmission and transfer case. RCI covers both with one plate. M.O.R.E. splits them into a middle transmission skid and a rear transfer case skid on the 2007-2021 truck.
- Fuel tank. M.O.R.E. notes the 2007-2021 Tundra tank sits behind a plastic cover from the factory, and its plates replace that cover with 3/16 inch steel or aluminum. RCI says its plates replace the stock skid with heavier steel. Both brands size plates to your tank.
- Catalytic converters. Guards wrap the converters against rocks and brush.
- Rear differential. RCI says its rear diff skid sits within 1/8 inch of the differential to keep ground clearance loss small.
- Lower control arms (A-arms). These hang low at the front corners.
Tundra skid plates by generation
Mounting points changed with the 2022 redesign, so buy for your generation and read the title and fitment notes together.
Second generation: 2007-2021
RCI sells the RCI Skid Plate Package for the 2007-2021 Tundra, which pairs an engine skid with a combined transmission and transfer-case skid for 4x4 trucks. Both are also sold on their own as the RCI Engine Skid Plate and the RCI Transmission / Transfer Case Skid Plate.
M.O.R.E. takes a three-plate approach: the M.O.R.E. Front Skid Plate (Steel), the M.O.R.E. Middle Transmission Skid Plate (Steel) and the M.O.R.E. Rear Transfer Case Skid Plate (Steel), each also offered in aluminum. M.O.R.E. says the transfer case plate needs two drilled holes in addition to the factory holes. The others bolt to factory hole locations.
For the fuel tank, the RCI Fuel Tank Skid Plate for 2007-2021 Tundra comes in 26 gallon and 38 gallon versions for nearly all 2007-2021 4x4 Tundras, per RCI. RCI says the 26 gallon plate does not fit 8 foot bed models. M.O.R.E. sells separate 26 and 38 gallon plates in steel and aluminum. Rear differential, catalytic and A-arm coverage come from RCI. Note that RCI says its RCI A-Arm Skid Plates for 2007-2021 do not work with the factory TRD Pro front skid unless that plate is cut.
Third generation: 2022 and newer
The RCI Skid Plate Package for 2022+ Tundra pairs the engine skid with the transmission and transfer-case skid for 4x4 trucks. The transmission plate comes in Hybrid and Non-Hybrid versions, which matters if you drive an i-FORCE MAX.
Fuel tank plates are sized by tank. The RCI 32 Gal Fuel Tank Skid Plate is 12 gauge steel, and RCI says it does not fit 8 foot bed models. The RCI 22 Gal Fuel Tank Skid Plate is 10 gauge steel. Its title reads 2022+, but its description lists the 2022-2023 Tundra and 2023-2024 Sequoia, so confirm your year on the product page.
Other third-gen options include the ReadyLIFT 2022-2026 Tundra Skid Plate Kit, a powder-coated steel front plate that ReadyLIFT says bolts on with no drilling, and front skids built to match specific bumpers: the Rago Fabrication Front Skid Plate for the Rago Center Mount Winch Front Bumper, and the ADD Skid Plate for Stealth Center Mount Front Bumper. Neither is a standalone plate for a stock front end. Rago excludes TRD Pro, Capstone and several i-FORCE MAX trims. ADD excludes hybrids, and its fitment field lists only 2025-2026 even though the title says 2022-2026, so treat it as a 2025-2026 part and confirm your year on the product page. For more on these bumpers, see our Tundra front bumper guide.
Key 2022 and newer specs:
| Plate | Protects | Material | Key fitment note |
|---|---|---|---|
| RCI engine skid | Steering, front diff, cross-member, engine, radiator area | 10 ga steel or 1/4 in aluminum | 4x4; no 4 in+ drop-bracket lifts or sway bar drops |
| RCI trans/T-case skid | Transmission and transfer case | 10 ga steel or 1/4 in aluminum | 4x4; Hybrid or Non-Hybrid version |
| RCI 32 gal fuel tank | Fuel tank | 12 ga steel | Not 8 ft bed; pick cab/bed option |
| RCI 22 gal fuel tank | Fuel tank | 10 ga steel | Needs Toyota off-road rear tank strap |
| RCI rear diff skid | Rear differential | 3/16 in steel | Clamps to axle housing, no drilling |
| RCI catalytic guard | Catalytic converters | 10 ga steel | 4x4; non-hybrid; needs RCI trans skid |
| DV8 A-arm skids | Lower control arms | 4.5 mm steel | Works with TRD suspension and TRD skid |
| RCI A-arm skids | Lower control arms | 1/4 in aluminum | Works with TRD engine skid |
| Cali Raised LED cat shield | Catalytic converters | 12 ga 304 stainless | Title says 22+; no 4x4 or hybrid notes |
Steel vs aluminum
Steel is heavier; aluminum is lighter. RCI calls 10 gauge steel the all-purpose, better-value choice and offers 1/4 inch aluminum as the lighter option. RCI says aluminum resists corrosion without paint.
| Listing | Steel weight | Aluminum weight |
|---|---|---|
| RCI package, 2022+ | About 76 lb (10 ga) | About 48 lb (1/4 in 5052) |
| RCI package, 2007-2021 | 82 lb (10 ga) | 55 lb (1/4 in) |
| M.O.R.E. front skid, 2007-2021 | 61 lb (3/16 in) | About 29 lb (1/4 in) |
| M.O.R.E. middle transmission skid | About 45 lb (3/16 in) | About 25 lb (1/4 in) |
| M.O.R.E. rear transfer case skid | About 75 lb (3/16 in) | About 35 lb (1/4 in) |
| M.O.R.E. 26 gal gas tank skid | 40 lb (3/16 in) | About 24 lb (3/16 in) |
| M.O.R.E. 38 gal gas tank skid | Not stated | About 48 lb (3/16 in) |
M.O.R.E. suggests a floor jack or a helper for its bigger steel plates.
Packages, individual plates and hardware kits
Both RCI packages bundle the engine skid and the transmission/transfer-case skid with all hardware. Everything else is sold by the piece, so you can add zones over time.
RCI states that both its RCI Catalytic Guard for 2022+ Tundra and its 2007-2021 version bolt to the RCI transmission skid, which is required and not included. For the 2007-2021 guard, RCI says drilling is needed if your RCI transmission skid was made before June 2022. Hybrid 4x4 owners need the RCI Hybrid Catalytic Guard, which RCI says works on steel or aluminum RCI skids. The Cali Raised LED Catalytic Converter Shield is a separate design with driver and passenger guards plus security hardware, which Cali Raised LED says bolts on with no drilling.
RCI also sells replacement hardware kits for many of its plates. Examples are the RCI Hardware Kit for Engine Skid Plate, 2022+ and the RCI Hardware Kit for Transmission/Transfer-Case Skid Plate, 2007-2021. These are fasteners only. RCI sells replacement oil filter access doors too: the RCI oil filter access door for 2022+ Tundra and the RCI oil filter access door for 2007-2021 Tundra are different parts.
TRD Pro skid plates, spacers and drop kits
On the 2022 and newer Tundra, ICON says the TRD skid plate comes with the TRD Off-Road Package and is standard on TRD Pro. When a lift drops the front differential, spacer and drop kits lower that plate to match.
- ReadyLIFT TRD Pro Skid Plate Drop Kit, 2022-2026 Tundra: lowers the TRD Pro skid plate to follow a dropped differential. ReadyLIFT designed it for its TRD Pro Plus lift kits only, and it excludes crossmember kits.
- ReadyLIFT Tundra TRD Pro Skid Plate Spacer Kit: billet aluminum spacers with longer hardware, listed for 2014-2021 and 2022 and newer trucks, for ReadyLIFT TRD Pro Plus 2 inch lift kits (69-5420) only, excluding crossmember kits.
- ICON TRD Skid Plate Spacer Kit, 2022-2026 Tundra: slightly lowers the TRD skid plate for clearance with the ICON Front Sway Bar Drop Bracket Kit. ICON lists steel spacers and Grade 8 hardware.
ReadyLIFT says its kits also suit a non-TRD Pro Tundra fitted with a TRD Pro skid plate. ICON also makes a 1/4 inch steel ICON front skid plate for its 6 inch lift system.
Aftermarket plates have their own lift limits. RCI says its engine skids and packages do not work with drop-bracket lifts of 4 inches or more, but do work with 1 to 3 inch coilover lifts. On the 2007-2021 package RCI names Icon, Fox and King, and on the 2022 and newer plates it names the Toytec Boss. RCI also lists the 2022 and newer engine skid as not compatible with sway bar drops. If you are lifting at the same time, read our Tundra lift kit guide and plan to have the alignment checked after any lift.
Sequoia cross-fit
Many RCI listings name both trucks. RCI pairs the 2007-2021 Tundra with the 2008-2022 Sequoia, and the 2022 and newer Tundra with the 2023 and newer Sequoia. RCI notes that the 2023 and newer Sequoia is a hybrid, so it must take the Hybrid transmission and transfer-case plate.
The RCI 32 gallon fuel tank skid, the RCI 2007-2021 A-arm and rear differential skids, and all of the M.O.R.E. plates name only the Tundra. The RCI hybrid catalytic guard description mentions the Sequoia, but its fit line lists only the Tundra, so call us before ordering one for a Sequoia.
What NVMOS carries
- RCI Skid Plate Package, 2022+ Tundra / 2023+ Sequoia: engine plus transmission/transfer-case skid in 10 gauge steel or 1/4 inch aluminum
- RCI Engine Skid Plate, 2022+ Tundra / 2023+ Sequoia: two-piece plate with an oil filter access door
- RCI Transmission/Transfer-Case Skid Plate, 2022+ Tundra: Hybrid and Non-Hybrid versions
- RCI 32 Gal Fuel Tank Skid Plate, 2022+ Tundra: 12 gauge steel; not for 8 foot beds
- RCI Hybrid Rear Differential Skid, 2022+ Tundra / 2023+ Sequoia: 3/16 inch steel, clamps to the axle housing
- RCI Catalytic Guard, 2022+ Tundra / 2023+ Sequoia: 4x4, non-hybrid; requires the RCI transmission skid
- DV8 Front Lower Control Arm Skid Plates, 2022-2026 Tundra: 4.5 mm steel, works with the TRD skid plate
- RCI A-Arm Skid Plates, 2022+ Tundra / 2023+ Sequoia: 1/4 inch aluminum
- ReadyLIFT TRD Pro Skid Plate Drop Kit, 2022-2026 Tundra: for ReadyLIFT TRD Pro Plus lifts
- RCI Skid Plate Package, 2007-2021 Tundra / 2008-2022 Sequoia: 82 lb in steel or 55 lb in aluminum, per RCI
- M.O.R.E. Front Skid Plate (Aluminum), 2007-2021 Tundra: 1/4 inch aluminum, six bolts at factory holes
- M.O.R.E. Middle Transmission Skid Plate (Aluminum), 2007-2021 Tundra: 1/4 inch aluminum with a reinforced channel
- M.O.R.E. Rear Transfer Case Skid Plate (Aluminum), 2007-2021 Tundra: 1/4 inch aluminum; two holes to drill
- M.O.R.E. Gas Tank Skid Plate 38 Gallon (Aluminum), 2007-2021 Tundra: 38 gallon tank only
- RCI Catalytic Guard, 2007-2021 Tundra / 2008-2022 Sequoia: four 10 gauge steel guards, 4x4 only
Browse by category: off-road skid plates, off-road armor, Toyota Tundra parts, shop by vehicle, current lead times and vendor warranty policies. For side protection, see our rock sliders buying guide, and for the rest of the build, our Toyota Tundra accessories guide.
Frequently asked questions
Should I buy a skid plate package or individual plates?
RCI packages pair the engine skid with the transmission and transfer-case skid. Fuel tank, rear differential, A-arm and catalytic guards are sold separately, so add them as needed.
Is steel or aluminum better for Tundra skid plates?
It is a trade-off between weight and cost. RCI lists its 2022 and newer package at about 76 lb in 10 gauge steel and about 48 lb in 1/4 inch aluminum, and says the thicker aluminum keeps its strength and resists corrosion without paint. RCI frames steel as the better value; pick aluminum to save weight.
Will RCI skid plates work with a lifted Tundra?
RCI says its engine skid and packages are not compatible with drop-bracket lift kits of 4 inches or more, but work with 1 to 3 inch coilover lifts such as the Toytec Boss.
Do these skid plates fit the Tundra i-FORCE MAX hybrid?
The RCI transmission and transfer-case skid comes in Hybrid and Non-Hybrid versions, RCI sells a separate hybrid catalytic guard, and RCI lists its hybrid rear differential skid for all 2022 and newer Tundras. The standard RCI catalytic guard does not support hybrids, the ADD bumper skid excludes hybrids, and the Rago skid excludes several i-FORCE MAX trims.
Can I install RCI catalytic guards without an RCI transmission skid?
No. RCI states the catalytic guards bolt to the RCI transmission skid, which is required and not included. Once installed they cannot be removed without taking the skid plates off first.
What does a TRD Pro skid plate spacer or drop kit do?
When a lift lowers the front differential, these kits lower the TRD Pro skid plate to follow it. ReadyLIFT designs its kits for its own TRD Pro Plus lift kits only.
Do Tundra skid plates fit the Toyota Sequoia?
Many RCI listings name both trucks: 2007-2021 Tundra with 2008-2022 Sequoia, and 2022 and newer Tundra with 2023 and newer Sequoia. Treat plates that name only the Tundra as Tundra-only.
Do I need a Toyota fuel tank strap for a fuel tank skid plate?
Often, yes. RCI says its 22 gallon plate and its 2007-2021 26 gallon plate need the Toyota rear fuel tank support strap from the off-road models. M.O.R.E. says a 2007-2021 Tundra that is not a TRD Pro most likely needs that strap for its 26 gallon plate.
Not sure what fits your truck? Call a real person at (920) 249-7744 or send us a message, and we will help you sort it out.
