5th Gen 4Runner TRD Front Skid Plate With & Without KDSS

5th Gen 4Runner TRD Front Skid Plate

TRD Pro Skid Plate Mods for Non-KDSS & KDSS 4Runners

The TRD skid plate is a solid option for protecting your 4Runner’s undercarriage, whether it came stock on a TRD Pro or you’re adding it to an SR5 or Off-Road model. Made from powder-coated aluminum, it shields your vehicle from general trail damage. However, if you have KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System), be aware that special modifications are required for proper fitment. If you’re not comfortable making these modifications, this may not be the best choice for you.

Part Number & Ordering:

KDSS Equipped

Stock 5th Gen 4Runner Skid Plate

Stock Skid Plate (SR5)

If you have a Trail or Off-Road model with KDSS, you’ll need special modifications to mount the TRD skid plate. However, if you have an SR5, installation is straightforward—just remove a few bolts and brackets, and you’re set.

Non-KDSS

TRD Pro Skid Plate (TRD Pro Model)

The skid plate mounted above is on a 2017 Cement TRD Pro without KDSS. Note the difference between the newer 4Runners.

The TRD Off-Road is equipped with KDSS and does not come with the TRD Pro skid.

The TRD Pro does not come with KDSS and is equipped with a skid.

Modified Skid

5th Gen 4Runner TRD Skid Plate KDSS Cut Options

Because the KDSS stabilizer bars cross directly through the TRD skid, you need to cut both sides with a sawzall or grinder in order for the KDSS bars to pass through.

There’s no set template for cutting the TRD skid plate for KDSS—it’s more about finding the right fit. You can cut straight down and across or make a U-shape to allow the bars to pass through. After some trail use, we noticed slight rubbing from the KDSS stabilizer bar, so we ended up cutting the plate all the way down to prevent it.

Other Skid Plate Options

The TRD Pro skid plate is affordable and looks great, but it may not be the most durable option. When choosing between aluminum and steel skids, aluminum is lighter and slides easier across rocks, while steel offers more durability and better protection for the undercarriage. If you’re not off-roading frequently, aluminum might be a better choice due to its lighter weight and resistance to rust. However, for more serious wheeling, steel provides the toughness needed, though both will eventually wear out with use. Aluminum tends to be more popular for daily drivers and occasional off-roaders.

Top Brands

  1. TRD Pro
  2. RCI Metal Works
  3. ARB
  4. Shrockworks
  5. Procomp
  6. Smittybilt
  7. C4 Fabrication
  8. Budbuilt
  9. CBI Off-Road

Well-known brands like TRD, CBI, RCI, and ARB dominate the skid plate market. If you’re an occasional wheeler (80% road/20% off-road), the TRD skid plate is a budget-friendly option that offers adequate protection. However, if you’re a serious off-roader, investing in a high-quality set from brands like CBI, RCI, or ARB, ranging from $500-$2000+, will provide superior durability and full-length protection. These aftermarket steel skids are designed for those who spend a lot of time off-road and need heavy-duty protection.

TRD PRO Look

2017 TRD Pro Cement TRD Skid Plate

TRD Pro Skid Plate (TRD Pro Model)

The TRD Pro skid has to be one of the most affordable armor mods for us. We just bought one for under $300 so just about anyone who can pay 35-40K for a 4Runner can spend another $300 for a skid plate.

We will be installing the TRD skid soon, so stay tuned and check back to see what happens when we attempt to cut apart the skid to accommodate KDSS.

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Clint
Clint
2 years ago

I own a 2015 Trail Premium. What would I need to instal the TRD skid plate?

Fleiman
Fleiman
3 years ago

Does anyone know if the Tacoma’s TRD skid plate will fit the Tacoma? The Tacoma skid plate seems to have a better cut for the 4Runners with KDSS.

Brian Gerard Sweeney
Brian Gerard Sweeney
3 years ago

Sounds like the TRD skid will fit the TRD ORP (’18) if it does not have the KDSS without any trimming? Just want to be sure.

Thanks!

John Rich
John Rich
3 years ago

…is there a TRD skid plate with a factory access hole for oil changes? Just got truck serviced and tech says the bolts are “rough coming out and going back in”. Doesn’t Toyota make a skid plate that has a factory hole??

Jensen
Nomad
3 years ago
Reply to  John Rich

They do but not for the 4Runner. If they are having a hard time installing the bolts you might want to run a M10x1.25 tap thru all the holes. Also I find using anti seize helps but reduce your torque by 15%.

kevin
kevin
4 years ago

You all used a product to color roof rack rails black called Plasti-Dip. Would that product work on the Skid Plate or would the heat from the engine adversely affect the product. I was thinking about adding the skid plate but wanted to paint it black since it only seems to come in white color.

OSBBQ
OSBBQ
3 years ago
Reply to  kevin

I Plasti-Dipped my roof rails and I live in Miami, FL. No defect to the look and feel of the finish after 1 summer.

Durango Max
Durango Max
5 years ago

Great information but wondering if anyone has fit the TRD or other skid plate with a differential drop? I am lifting my 2016 with KDSS 2.5″ and adding a 1″ differential drop to mitigate the change in the CV angle. Once I complete the suspension mods I will have a better idea of how that might impact a skid plate but was wondering if anyone else had encountered this already. Cheers

Rick Bowers
Rick Bowers
5 years ago

Great article – great site. Thanks for all the amazing information here!
I’ve got a question on the TRD install and wondered if you or anyone else ran into this problem.
I installed a TRD Skid Plate (PT938-00140/PTR60-89190) this past weekend on my ’18 SR5 4WD (obviously non-KDSS).
The plate comes with 1″ bolts for the rear of the plate which bolt into the member braces. I absolutely could not get those to fit – they were too long. I re-used the 1/2″ bolts that came out of the member braces.
Anyone else have this issue with this install or know if it will cause issues?

Jim
Jim
5 years ago
Reply to  Rick Bowers

It is most likely debris in the threads. Run a tap through to clean them out.

Jon
Jon
5 years ago

I just wanted to jump in here real quick and give some additional feedback. I installed this plate on my 2019 Off Road with KDSS. When I got the plate I trimmed the whole side wall down to about 1/2″.

Ran with that for about 5000 miles, and just recently started to notice that the clamp around the KDSS Stabilizer joint rubber boot was starting to come off. Turns out that even the 1/2″ remaining on the skid plate can cause a little bit of rub on the KDSS stabilizer. I would highly recommend complete cut off of the sidewalls for all of you fellow KDSS people!

Thadd
Thadd
5 years ago

A little hint when installing, You’ll need to re-use the spacers for the back two holes (the front two spacers come with the skid plate. Also, start the back two bolts first. It’ll make it easier. I’ve had mine on and off a couple of times.

OSBBQ
OSBBQ
3 years ago
Reply to  Thadd

Using the tap to clean out the rear two holes before installation will resolve any installation issues. I installed my skid plate today on 2018 SR5 and had decent amount of gunk on all four holes.

Kent
Kent
5 years ago

The RCI looks like a plug-n-play option for the KDSS equipped Trail (2015). A little boxy, but I’m not tooled up for cutting. What could possibly go wrong, right?

Q: Is it easier to install a skid plate after having a lift kit installed; or does it not matter?

hugo p torres
hugo p torres
5 years ago

Will TRD PRO be customizing skid plates for 4 Runner with KDSS.or is someone else is making them.

/

Magi
Magi
6 years ago

About a month away from driving our 2018 SR5 home from Colorado and keep “discovering” awesome things the salesman told us about but we are now actually using!! Moved from a 2005 VW Golf TDI, 2005 Jeep trail rated diesel and 2013 Eco Chevy Cruz-traded them all for this Big Blue Bear! I am sure the hubs can write something for you as he is a Master Tech and former NAPA tech of the year! He writes for automotive technical journals, formerly wrote curriculum for our state college automotive tech programs.
Looking forward to driving this SR5 on the interstates and getting on some dirt roads!

Rob
Rob
6 years ago

I really like the look of the TRD pro skid, is there another one that is already modified for KDSS that looks similar?

Scott Pringle
Scott Pringle
5 years ago
Reply to  Rob

I have the same question, and hope there is someone who can supply an answer. Love the look of the TRD front skid, but not sure I want to attempt the modifications to put it on my TRD Off Road Premium with KDSS.

Tinydancer
Tinydancer
6 years ago

TRD skid on 2018 SR5 was a super easy install, I am OK mechanically, don’t go much deeper than changing light bulbs and simply stiff on my cars, definitely don’t change my own oil and I was able to do the install in about 30-mins.

Bill
Bill
6 years ago

Curious, does the TRD Skid Plate model on Amazon you listed “Genuine Toyota (PT938-00140) Skid Plate, Front” fit the 2018 TRD Off Road model (besides having to make the necessary adjustments to the fit the KDSS)? On Amazon when I select my 4Runner year it says it does not fit. Just wanted to confirm before ordering.

Ray
Ray
5 years ago
Reply to  Brenan Greene

Bought a TRD skid plate for my 2016 KDSS equipped Trail Edition. Will be cutting it to make it fit. Your post on how to install/mod the skid plate says to remove and discard the two support members. Is that a good idea since they seem to have a structural mandate with regards to supporting the radiator? Thank you

Kevin S.
Kevin S.
6 years ago

You mentioned that people have mounted the TRD plate to 10-13′ SR5’s, do you know if mods were needed to make that happen or if a diffdrop or swaybar relocate kit will cause issues?

Josh
Josh
5 years ago
Reply to  Kevin S.

Did you ever figure out the skid with a diff drop? I’m trying to find out as well

Jon
Jon
6 years ago

I have a 2016 Trail model with Kdss, went with the Trd front plate because i got it for a great deal new and it looks better than most aftermarket front skids in my opinion also seemed solid enough for my needs the rest went i went with RCI skids. Performed the necessary cutouts no problem’s with the actual swaybar contacting the Trd skidplate. Contact comes from the front mounting bolt on the hydraulic side of the kdss swaybar mount. Literally the head of the bolt makes contact with the skidplate, even adding thick washers on top of the aluminum spacers on the two front bolts of the Trd skidplate. There will still be contact. Mind you this is on rougher trails. Mostly when the front tires are on uneven rocky or rutted sections. You will notice the contact from the banging noise on out on the trail and visually notice it when you remove the plate for an oil change. After adding additional washers I did spray paint that section black just to see if there would be contact next time out there was fresh bolt shaped gouging in the plate etc. I’m no rock crawler or avid offroader this is my hunting truck. Just going where other hunters wont usually means jacked up trails. Eventually ordered the Rci front skid. KDSS models should go with another option. I’d post up pics of the contact but not sure if I can on a reply.

Bill Strumfels
Bill Strumfels
6 years ago

What is the bottom line on this skid plate fitting 2010 and up trail 4 runners. One or two places says yes many say 2014 to 2017 only

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