{"product_id":"high-clearance-hd-skid-plate-radiator","title":"High Clearance HD Skid Plate","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIntroducing the first and only High Clearance skid plate option for 3G4Rs \u0026amp; 1G Tacomas. With better ground clearance and gusseting than anything else on the market, Opt Offroad is raising the bar on under armor. 100% bolt-on, with Welded and DIY options available. Please read fitment requirements carefully.\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eLead Times: skid plates at 2-4wks, radiators at 1-2wks (see \u003ca title=\"High Clearance Radiator Conversion Kit (HCR) - Opt Offroad\" href=\"https:\/\/kpoffroad.com\/product\/high-clearance-radiator-conversion-hcr-3-4l-v6\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHCR menu\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e for details).\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s5\"\u003eFunction \u0026amp; Form: Engineered for Hardcore Off-Roaders, with Style in Mind\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s5\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eOpt Skids are designed, tested, and manufactured in the High Desert of CA using laser cut, CNC bent American steel. This is purpose-built armor for those who demand the most out of their rig. Whether you’re navigating the rocks, mud and sand, or simply want to upgrade your cooling system and keep it safe from damage on the trail and highway, these skid plates provide the ultimate combination of protection and performance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0246\/4425\/5791\/files\/IMG_2595_2_600x600.heic?v=1743469415\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s5\"\u003eWhy Choose Opt Skids Over the Rest?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s4\"\u003eSTRONGER\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e: More gusseting than any other production skid plate.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHIGHER: +4\" up front, +2\" underneath - that's like going from 33s to 37s!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFLATTER: No step-downs or high spots to get hung up on. \u003cem\u003eFlat bellies only.\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePLUS a radically improved approach angle \u0026amp; increased cooling performance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0246\/4425\/5791\/files\/IMG_2414_2_600x600.jpg?v=1737158602\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s5\"\u003eKEY FEATURES:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCrafted with American steel- 3\/16” plates; 1\/4\" gussets front to back\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntegrated into diff mounts for stronger contact points (vs steering)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvailable as \u003cspan\u003eFully Welded\u003c\/span\u003e or DIY (weld gussets into place, that's it)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e100% bolt-on, with high strength zinc coated hardware included\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConvenient CV axle changes, with access to CV joint pry points\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s4\"\u003eConvenient oil changes, with a r\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eeinforced oil drain access hole\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes stainless steel logo plate for front skid (leave it raw!)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShips bare, ready to paint the coating \/ color of your choice\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNOT diff drop compatible, high clearance radiator required\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0246\/4425\/5791\/files\/IMG_4538_600x600.jpg?v=1755730840\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003ePACKAGE OPTIONS: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e1. Vehicle \/ Drivetrain Options:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e96-02 4Runner or 95-04 Tacoma.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e4WD or 2WD (\u003c\/span\u003e2WD kit includes diff bolt spacers).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2a. Skid Plate Package Options:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStandard (protects radiator, front differential, and engine oil pan)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEngine\/Trans (all that plus steering and transmission)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFully Belly (all that plus catalytic converter and transfer case. Goes all the way to the front edge of your gas tank. Not compatible with Tacomas or 2WD 4Runners).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2b. Skid Plate Assembly Options:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFully Welded (ready to bolt on) or DIY (weld on the gussets, ~1hr per skid).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3. Radiator Upgrade Options: (check out the \u003ca title=\"High Clearance Radiator Kit (HCR) - Opt Offroad\" href=\"https:\/\/kpoffroad.com\/product\/high-clearance-radiator-conversion-hcr-3-4l-v6\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHCR Menu\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e for more info)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNone: If your current radiator does not hang below the frame, and you're happy with its performance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh Clearance Upgrade Pkg: If your current radiator hangs BELOW your frame rails, or if you simply want more cooling performance! Choice of a Premium OE or High Performance package.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eINSTALL HELP\u003c\/strong\u003e: Watch this YouTube video for install tips: \u003ca title=\"Opt Offroad High Clearance Skid Plate Install!!!\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/DciiRXt_3qk?si=dBRaUeilBJcmHk55\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTAP HERE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFITMENT REQUIREMENTS: (all those gains in your approach angle \u0026amp; ground clearance come with a *little* extra work initially. It is WELL worth it though!)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s5\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1. High Clearance Radiator Swap:\u003c\/strong\u003e [\u003cem\u003eTLDR: it's required in order to install Opt Skids on most vehicles, but it's a really easy swap and will have you wondering why you didn't do it sooner. It was just plain dumb for Toyota to use a radiator that hangs past the frame in the first place. We're simply fixing that mistake.\u003c\/em\u003e] \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eTo unlock the full potential of your front end ground clearance, Opt Skids have been designed around 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 your existing one hangs below the frame. NO that does not mean less cooling capacity, in fact the opposite! The aluminum radiator in our kit actually INCREASES fluid capacity and cooling performance over the factory radiator, by a lot. It is a very high quality unit sourced from Champion Cooling here in Southern CA, r\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eated for up to 550HP, and provides a lot of bang for the buck as the lowest priced full-aluminum option out there (excluding the no-name brands).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eHaven't done the high clearance radiator swap yet? It's easy! Simply add the High Clearance Radiator option to your skid plate package, and you will get the correct radiator and lower hose for the swap. It all bolts in place with nothing else needed, aside from some minor trimming to the shroud and fresh Ethylene-based coolant \u0026amp; distilled water. For more info, check out our \u003ca title=\"High Clearance Radiator Swap (HCR) - Opt Offroad\" href=\"https:\/\/kpoffroad.com\/product\/high-clearance-radiator-conversion-hcr-3-4l-v6\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHigh Clearance Radiator Swap\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e page.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2. No Differential Drop:\u003c\/strong\u003e [\u003cem\u003eTLDR: the juice isn't worth the squeeze, and we aren't interested in sacrificing ground clearance for something so ineffective and potentially harmful\u003c\/em\u003e.] \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eDiff drops are a popular but misunderstood mod. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eLet me start by saying that they are perfectly acceptable (even recommended) on many applications. The goal of this diff drop is to prevent premature wear on the CV joints and boots after a lift, by lowering the differential down (usually an inch) which \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003edecreases the CV angles at ride height. The problem: on our trucks, the front diff mounts are very far forward compared to where the CV axles connect. So when you install a diff drop, you are sacrificing an inch of ground clearance at the diff mounts, for only ~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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eAlignment Cam Notes: [\u003cem\u003eTLDR: believe me we tried, it just wasn't worth the trade-off in ground clearance. Buy a \u003ca title=\"KD Crossmember Reinforcement - Opt Offroad\" href=\"https:\/\/kpoffroad.com\/product\/best-alignment-cam-upgrade-kit-cam-eliminator\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKPOffroad Alignment Kit\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e and problem solved!\u003c\/em\u003e] \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eYes, 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: the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/kpoffroad.com\/product\/best-alignment-cam-upgrade-kit-cam-eliminator\"\u003eKPOffroad Alignment Kit\u003c\/a\u003e and it provides all the added strength needed, without any of the sacrifices!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eFront Crossmember Notes: We recommend checking your factory front skid plate crossmember (located right below your radiator, where the front skid bolts up) for damage, as it is very lightweight and prone to bending\/cracking. Consider upgrading to our \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca title=\"HD Skid Plate Crossmember\" href=\"https:\/\/kpoffroad.com\/product\/hd-skid-plate-crossmember\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eHD Skid Plate Crossmember\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e for a much stronger point of contact for your skids!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opt Offroad","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48002055864494,"sku":null,"price":295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0741\/8734\/1998\/files\/2138f352-FullSizeRender_800x800_0c8d5b9e-dc57-4e16-a6ad-95dcbe35bcb7.webp?v=1781929717","url":"https:\/\/kpoffroad.com\/products\/high-clearance-hd-skid-plate-radiator","provider":"KPOffroad","version":"1.0","type":"link"}