Before You OFF-ROAD Your Tacoma, Watch This FIRST!

​Is the C4 Fabrication skid plate system worth the weight and the price? In this video, we’re doing a long-term review of the C4 Fabrication 3-piece skid plate system on my 3rd Gen Toyota Tacoma after months of daily driving and hard off-road trail abuse. ​From taking hard hits on the trail to the unexpected installation quirks, I’m breaking down the pros, the cons, and whether this heavy-duty underbody armor should be your next overland upgrade. ​ Check out the full breakdown and timestamps below! ​Timestamps ​0:00 - The Reality of Off-Road Damage (That Hit!) 0:20 - C4 Fabrication Skid Plate Overview & Specs 0:59 - The Exhaust Reroute: Worth the Extra Clearance? 1:19 - The Annoying Part of Oil Changes (Service Panels) 1:32 - Pro-Tip: Hardware & Anti-Seize 1:43 - Fitment Issues with Aftermarket Rock Sliders (Cali Raised LED) 2:07 - Does Adding 160lbs Hurt Tacoma Performance & Drivability? 2:25 - Factory Skids vs. C4 Fabrication Armor 2:33 - What Tacoma Mods Should You Buy First? (SR5 vs TRD Off-Road) 2:52 - Final Verdict: Do I Regret Buying C4 Armor? ​Product Specs & Gear Mentioned: ​Armor: C4 Fabrication 3rd Gen Tacoma 3-Piece Skid Plate System (Engine, Transmission, Transfer Case) ​Material: 3/16-inch CNC-cut steel (~158 lbs) ​Finish: Powder-coated by C4 Fabrication ​Sliders: Cali Raised LED Frame-Mounted Rock Sliders ​Modifications: Exhaust reroute required for maximum flat clearance. ​Key Takeaways from a Few Months of Abuse: ​The Good: The 3/16" steel offers massive peace of mind. The flat belly pan from the exhaust reroute gives you an extra 2.5 inches of ground clearance. Plus, the extra 160 lbs didn't hurt drivability (especially if your Tacoma is regeared). ​The Bad: The service access panels for oil changes can be more tedious than just dropping the factory skid. ​The Install Hack: Swap the supplied Allen bolts for stainless hardware and use anti-seize! Also, be prepared to drill new holes if you are pairing these with certain frame-mounted rock sliders like Cali Raised. ​What should you upgrade first? If you have an SR, SR5, or TRD Sport, get full skid plates ASAP. If you have a TRD Off-Road or Pro, grab frame-mounted rock sliders first, then upgrade to full system armor. ​Join the Conversation! ​Are you running C4 Fabrication armor on your rig, or are you trying to decide which skid plate brand to go with? Drop a comment below and let me know your thoughts! ​​Subscribe to Rabbit Hole Overland for more 3rd Gen Tacoma builds, off-road gear reviews, and trail adventures. See you on the next trail!