Rear Shock Skid plate and trailing arm plate -- Victory, RCI

LCP250

LCP250

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Feb 18, 2025
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Got all 3 OEM skid plates installed this past week. now looking at these other plate protection

Any one install any of these? wondering if it's worth it.


Rear Shock Mount Skids | 24-Present Landcruiser | RCI Off Road

Protect your shock mounts with our heavy duty rear shock mount skid plates!
rcimetalworks.com

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 250 Trailing Arms Skid Plate

This Trailing Arms Skid Plate is manufactured from high-quality laser-cut 1/4″ aluminum, providing an optimal strength-to-weight ratio.
www.crossedgefab.com


I ordered and received the DV8 A-Arm skid plates. have not installed yet.

2024-2025 Toyota Land Cruiser A-Arm Skid Plates

Our Land Cruiser 250 Series A-Arm Skids protect your rig’s control arms from rocks and debris to prevent costly damage when on the trail. Fully bolt-on install.
dv8offroad.com

won't be rock climbing or lifting my LC, will mostly be on dirt roads with washboard and some deep ruts.

TIA!
 
I think I agree - mostly unnecessary for your intended use. Perhaps a case could be made for the rear shock mounts as those shocks hang pretty low to ground and not that expensive and an easy self install.
 
IMG_2273.jpg


I'm personally running the victory4x4 rear shock skid. While they're not necessary if you don't really plan on doing anything crawling/intermediate trails/offroad, I would definitely recommend them if you ever plan on doing any of the above. Your lower shock mounts will be the lowest hanging part of your vehicle at any given time. Take a bad line or get caught up on a rock and you could bang/scrape them up pretty bad, or even damage the lower shock mount bolt (personal experience on my 4r). Do a lot of desert running and you could run into pitting of the lower shock & shaft. These lower shock mounts are a cheap insurance, easy to install, and negligible when it comes to added weight.
 
LCP250 said:
Got all 3 OEM skid plates installed this past week. now looking at these other plate protection

Any one install any of these? wondering if it's worth it.


Rear Shock Mount Skids | 24-Present Landcruiser | RCI Off Road

Protect your shock mounts with our heavy duty rear shock mount skid plates!
rcimetalworks.com

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 250 Trailing Arms Skid Plate

This Trailing Arms Skid Plate is manufactured from high-quality laser-cut 1/4″ aluminum, providing an optimal strength-to-weight ratio.
www.crossedgefab.com


I ordered and received the DV8 A-Arm skid plates. have not installed yet.

2024-2025 Toyota Land Cruiser A-Arm Skid Plates

Our Land Cruiser 250 Series A-Arm Skids protect your rig’s control arms from rocks and debris to prevent costly damage when on the trail. Fully bolt-on install.
dv8offroad.com

won't be rock climbing or lifting my LC, will mostly be on dirt roads with washboard and some deep ruts.

TIA!
Click to expand...
I like having an aluminum option. The front of the trailing arm is one spot that worries me, it’s pretty thin metal and if I do something stupid and get high centered it would be nice to have that reinforced. The shock mount on the other hand is right next to the tire, at least with the kind of off-roading I do I just don’t see that being a concern. On the other hand it’s hard to argue with extra armor if you want it.
 
Thanks for the replies! I agree, maybe a bit over kill, however, its cheap insurance for just in case while out exploring.

the protruding parts are what worries me a bit.

for lower shock mounts between the RCI and Victory, which one would you all pick? Any others make it too?
Looks like the Victory has more coverage vs RCI. RCI and plate nuts look easier to install

Same question for the trailing arm plate. I don't see any other manufacturers making it.
 
Last edited:
LCP250 said:
Thanks for the replies! I agree, maybe a bit over kill, however, its cheap insurance for just in case while out exploring.

the protruding parts are what worries me a bit.

for lower shock mounts between the RCI and Victory, which one would you all pick? Any others make it too?

Same question for the trailing arm plate. I don't see any other manufacturers making it.
Click to expand...
The victory and rci shock skids will both serve the same purpose given they're both steel, pick the one you like more. I went with victory as they were the only ones offering at that time.

For the trailing arm reinforcement, price seem a bit steep for some reinforced steel plates. I wouldn't worry about them too much unless you really plan on wheeling. In my experience, people don't tend to go that far into RTA reinforcement unless they wheel the majority of the time.
 
Ordered the Victory, no ship yet.
and ordered the ASFIR...though it was in AZ, shipped from outta country, but got here quick
DV8 A-Arm plates shipped and delivered quickly

Waiting on CBI sliders (Ordered from YotaGarage) and Victory rear shock plate.
 
LCP250 said:
Got all 3 OEM skid plates installed this past week. now looking at these other plate protection

Any one install any of these? wondering if it's worth it.


Rear Shock Mount Skids | 24-Present Landcruiser | RCI Off Road

Protect your shock mounts with our heavy duty rear shock mount skid plates!
rcimetalworks.com

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 250 Trailing Arms Skid Plate

This Trailing Arms Skid Plate is manufactured from high-quality laser-cut 1/4″ aluminum, providing an optimal strength-to-weight ratio.
www.crossedgefab.com


I ordered and received the DV8 A-Arm skid plates. have not installed yet.

2024-2025 Toyota Land Cruiser A-Arm Skid Plates

Our Land Cruiser 250 Series A-Arm Skids protect your rig’s control arms from rocks and debris to prevent costly damage when on the trail. Fully bolt-on install.
dv8offroad.com

won't be rock climbing or lifting my LC, will mostly be on dirt roads with washboard and some deep ruts.

TIA!
Click to expand...
1743740953332.jpeg

1743741039534.jpeg

Above: before and after.
Beside OEM skid plates for engine and transmission, I did installed the RCI transfer case slid plate (alumn)
Today, just received skid plate (alumn) for lower control arms, and skid plate (steel) for rear differential.
Will install those this weekend.
RCI also will deliver me the fuel tank skid plate (alumn)
I do all kind of off-road occasionally, so those will serve my use well as great insurance (even though I am not doing crazy 9/10 rock crawling, but hit all hard trails if needed)
Consider weights, so I selected combination steel and alumn. Skid plates for where more and less priority
 
t3lcfe said:
View attachment 32586
View attachment 32587
Above: before and after.
Beside OEM skid plates for engine and transmission, I did installed the RCI transfer case slid plate (alumn)
Today, just received skid plate (alumn) for lower control arms, and skid plate (steel) for rear differential.
Will install those this weekend.
RCI also will deliver me the fuel tank skid plate (alumn)
I do all kind of off-road occasionally, so those will serve my use well as great insurance (even though I am not doing crazy 9/10 rock crawling, but hit all hard trails if needed)
Consider weights, so I selected combination steel and alumn. Skid plates for where more and less priority
Click to expand...
RCI steel skid plate for rear differential successfully installed (by myself) ;)
I choose this steel one over Toyota oem one for couple reasons:
• it’s 3/16” steel plate and only about 1/4” lower clearance to your rear differential. (OEM: 3/4” lower)
• it has collar mount which keeps the plate not flipped / rotated when hit/slide on/to rocks (OEM: no collar mount!)

Downside is 22lbs vs. 7.5lb OEM. It is the most critical and hanging lowest one (shock mount excluded), so I need substantial protection.

I will also install the RCI aluminum skid plates for lower control arms, and update / post later
The RCI alumn. Skid plate for fuel tank coming next week ;)
1743879191648.jpeg

1743879346435.jpeg

1743879560620.jpeg
 
t3lcfe said:
RCI steel skid plate for rear differential successfully installed (by myself) ;)
I choose this steel one over Toyota oem one for couple reasons:
• it’s 3/16” steel plate and only about 1/4” lower clearance to your rear differential. (OEM: 3/4” lower)
• it has collar mount which keeps the plate not flipped / rotated when hit/slide on/to rocks (OEM: no collar mount!)

Downside is 22lbs vs. 7.5lb OEM. It is the most critical and hanging lowest one (shock mount excluded), so I need substantial protection.

I will also install the RCI aluminum skid plates for lower control arms, and update / post later
The RCI alumn. Skid plate for fuel tank coming next week ;)
View attachment 32715
View attachment 32716
View attachment 32717
Click to expand...
Why do we need skid plates and rock slider when you do “real” off-road ( more than dirt and gravel roads)
This video “may” give you some answers:
 
t3lcfe said:
RCI steel skid plate for rear differential successfully installed (by myself) ;)
I choose this steel one over Toyota oem one for couple reasons:
• it’s 3/16” steel plate and only about 1/4” lower clearance to your rear differential. (OEM: 3/4” lower)
• it has collar mount which keeps the plate not flipped / rotated when hit/slide on/to rocks (OEM: no collar mount!)

Downside is 22lbs vs. 7.5lb OEM. It is the most critical and hanging lowest one (shock mount excluded), so I need substantial protection.

I will also install the RCI aluminum skid plates for lower control arms, and update / post later
The RCI alumn. Skid plate for fuel tank coming next week ;)
View attachment 32715
View attachment 32716
View attachment 32717
Click to expand...
Here are photos of skid plates for Lower Control Arms (RCI Aluminum). Just installed them ;)
Got raw alumn., then painted them black to blend well to other stuffs

Happy LC to all
1743895809285.jpeg

1743895833054.jpeg
 
t3lcfe said:
Why do we need skid plates and rock slider when you do “real” off-road ( more than dirt and gravel roads)
This video “may” give you some answers:
Click to expand...

They lost me when they said they used ChatGPT to get their answers. I wish more people understood that ChatGPT and similar LLMs Are not designed to provide factual answers. They are designed to provide an answer that sounds plausible to a non-expert.
 
t3lcfe said:
Here are photos of skid plates for Lower Control Arms (RCI Aluminum). Just installed them ;)
Got raw alumn., then painted them black to blend well to other stuffs

Happy LC to all
View attachment 32779
View attachment 32780
Click to expand...
What paint did you use on the A arm skids? I’ve got a set of these, but don’t particularly care for the raw aluminum appearance. If the rear diff skid only decreases clearance by quarter inch, I may consider that as well. Ground clearance is the Achilles heel of the LC.
 
Rk1679 said:
What paint did you use on the A arm skids? I’ve got a set of these, but don’t particularly care for the raw aluminum appearance. If the rear diff skid only decreases clearance by quarter inch, I may consider that as well. Ground clearance is the Achilles heel of the LC.
Click to expand...
Mine can be seen obviously from front because my LC lifted (2” rear, 2.75” front). Paint not only helps for cosmetic looks, but also “let me know quickly” where the rocks hit heheh

For skid plates underneath, I just left whatever they are.
You can leave it as raw aluminum if you like.
1743900007998.jpeg
 
Purely
t3lcfe said:
Mine can be seen obviously from front because my LC lifted (2” rear, 2.75” front). Paint not only helps for cosmetic looks, but also “let me know quickly” where the rocks hit heheh

For skid plates underneath, I just left whatever they are.
You can leave it as raw aluminum if you like.
View attachment 32789
Click to expand...
Purely aesthetic, but my OCD doesn’t particularly like the raw aluminum that’s so visible from the front ( 2” coilover lift). Mine will get painted as well. Any tricks to the diff skid install? Thanks again.
 
Rk1679 said:
Purely

Purely aesthetic, but my OCD doesn’t particularly like the raw aluminum that’s so visible from the front ( 2” coilover lift). Mine will get painted as well. Any tricks to the diff skid install? Thanks again.
Click to expand...
For rear diff. Skid plate installation:
• No need to unbolted the brake lines (even though RCI notices that you may need to do it), I was still able to slide the side collars in.
DO THIS FIRST
• Loosely bolted the half center collar bracket to the skid plate. I used floor Jack as helping hand (without effort) to position skid plate to almost exactly where it should be at the final Location
*** if you don’t have floor Jack, just use proper height carton box to do the same trick
• Connect the other half center collar mount and install all other bolts effortlessly
• And DONE 😜 😜

Good luck and have fun, bro
 
For plate install, did you guys use anti-seize?

I got some Park Tool anti-seize (usually for bicycles, steel, aluminum and titanium)

The DV8 A-Arm plates use nylon nuts, any issues using anti-seize here?

ASFIR trailing arm plates - anti seize?

CBI Rock Rails (still waiting for them to ship), use anti-Seize for the bolts/nuts?

Thank you!
 
I don’t think I’d use anti seize on nylon, but every other bolt I put on under there gets either anti-seize or loctite depending on the application. Usually anti-seize. Plus Fluid film between any mating surfaces to keep water out. And anywhere else I feel like it as long as I’m under there.
 
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