The fuel tank is the largest flat surface under a 78- or 79-series Land Cruiser, and the easiest thing to hit when a rear wheel drops off a rock. A punctured tank in the backcountry is not only expensive — it also leaves you stranded with fuel on the ground.

6.0 mm aluminium. Rival specifies 6.0 mm aluminium sheet in silver. A wide flat area is the hardest job a skid plate gets, because the panel works along its whole length — which is why the material gauge matters here, not just the word “aluminium”.

Installation. A fitting kit is supplied with the plate.

Fitment. Toyota Land Cruiser 78 and 79 with the 4.2 l diesel engine, model years 2007-2023.

You notice this one most when the truck is loaded. The more weight you carry, the lower the suspension sits and the more often the tank finds rocks an empty vehicle would have cleared.