High Clearance HD Skid Plates (96-02 4Runner, 95-04 Tacoma)

Opt Skid INTRO SALE is live! Discount ends when Batch One sells out.

Lead time: 2-3 weeks

Introducing the first and only High Clearance skid plate option for 3G4Rs & 1G Tacomas. With more ground clearance, approach angle, and gusseting than anything else on the market, we are raising the bar on under armor for our community. 100% bolt-on, with Welded and DIY options available. High clearance radiator required, please read carefully.

Engineered for Hardcore Off-Roaders, Built with Style in Mind. Function & Form.

Opt Skids are designed, tested, and manufactured here in the High Desert of CA using laser cut, CNC bent American steel. These skid plates are purpose-built for those who demand the most out of their rig. Whether you’re navigating the rocks, kicking up dust, or sliding through mud, Opt Skids provide the ultimate combination of protection and performance.

Why Choose Opt Skids Over the Rest?

• STRONGER: More gusseting than any other production skid plate
• HIGHER: 2" more ground clearance. That's like going from 33s to 37s
• FLATTER: No step-downs / high spots to get hung up on. Flat bellies only!
• PLUS a radically improved approach angle & several other design advantages

Key Features:

• Crafted with American steel - 3/16” plates & 1/4" gusseting front to back
• 100% bolt-on design, with Grade 8 hardware included for installation
• Integrates into diff mounts for stronger contact points (vs steering)
• Available as Fully Welded or DIY (weld gussets in place, that's it)
• Convenient CV axle changes, with access to CV joint pry points
• Convenient oil changes, with a reinforced oil drain access hole
• Includes a bolt-on stainless steel backing plate for front logo
• Ships bare, ready to paint the coating / color of your choice
• NOT diff drop compatible, requires high clearance radiator

Package Options: 

• Vehicle / Drivetrain: 96-02 4Runner or 95-04 Tacoma, 4WD or 2WD
• Note: Xtra Cab & Double Cab only, NOT compatible w/ Reg Cab
• Note: 2WD kits include additional mounting hardware
• Skid Plate Packages: Standard or Full Belly kit. 
• Standard protects your radiator, front differential, and engine oil pan.
• Fully Belly protects all that plus your steering, transmission, catalytic converter and transfer case. Goes all the way to the front edge of your gas tank. Not compatible with Tacomas or 2WD 4Runners.
• Assembly Options: Fully Welded or DIY (weld gussets in place, that's it)

Fitment Requirements: All those gains in your approach angle & ground clearance come with a *little* extra work for initial install. It is WELL worth it though, promise! Read on.

High Clearance Radiator Swap: [TLDR: it's required before installing Opt Skids on 3.4L equipped trucks, but it's really not that bad and you'll be like the rest of us, wondering why you didn't do it sooner. Hit the easy button and go to our Radiator Swap Menu (under construction, msg us).] To unlock the full potential of your front end ground clearance, Opt Skids have been designed utilizing a radiator that sits above the frame rails (this is how it should have come from the factory!). YES that means installing a shorter radiator if you have a 3.4L truck. NO that does not mean less cooling capacity, as long as you do it right. Many people have had this swap done for 10+ years with great success. Our very own shop 4Runner 'Sandy' (equipped with 37s, LT, and an extra 1k+ lbs in armor and gear) ran a standard 2.4L Napa radiator for many years in the hot CA desert with no issues whatsoever. We upgraded to a Champion 2.7L aluminum core in 2024 and that has been absolutely stellar so far. All this to say, running a high clearance radiator will not lead to any issues as long as the rest of your cooling system is in good shape.

Haven't done the high clearance radiator swap yet? It's easy! Check out our Radiator Swap Menu (under construction, msg us) for details. We’ve got you covered with a range of options to fit every budget and performance need.

Differential Drop Notes: [TLDR: the juice isn't worth the squeeze, and we aren't interested in sacrificing ground clearance for something so ineffective and potentially harmful.] Diff drops are a popular but misunderstood mod.

Let me start by saying that they are perfectly acceptable (or even recommended) on some applications. The primary goal of a diff drop kit is to decrease the angle of the CV joints and boots after a lift, by lowering the differential down (usually an inch), in order to prevent premature wear on the joints and boots. The problem: on the front end of our 3G4Rs and 1G Tacomas, the front diff mounts are very far forward, and the CV pinions are relatively far back. So when you install a diff drop, you are sacrificing an inch of ground clearance for maybe 1/3 inch of drop at the CVs. Additionally, you are potentially fluid-starving the driveshaft pinion at the rear of the diff (since it's now tilted forward) while also negatively affecting the driveshaft pinion angle as a result. The juice just isn't worth the squeeze.

Alignment Cam Notes: [TLDR: don't complain about it, believe me we tried. Buy KD Plates and problem solved!] Yes, we are well aware that Opt Skids leave the front alignment hardware open and visible. We deliberated on this for weeks! The only way to protect them with the use of a skid plate is to either lower the entire belly of the skid down 2in (NOPE), or complicate the skid design a ton (not cost effective). The good news is that we have a solution, from Freel Good Performance (the same shop that helped us design these skids): KD Crossmember Reinforcement is the answer to this problem, and it provides all the skid surface and added strength needed, without any of the sacrifices.

Front Crossmember Notes: We recommend checking your factory front skid plate crossmember (below your radiator) for damage, as they are very lightweight and prone to bending. Consider upgrading to our HD Skid Plate Crossmember for a much stronger point of contact for your skids!

Got questions or feedback? Use the Q&A feature below or send us an email / phone call!