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Rival Bash Plates for the Toyota Hilux
PPD is the exclusive Rival 4x4 distributor for Western Australia, South Australia and New Zealand, and we fit these plates at our Perth workshop regularly. This collection covers Rival's underbody protection for the 2005-2015 N70 and 2015-on N80 GUN Hilux (and the 2015-on Fortuner where the kit is shared), from a two-plate radiator/engine set through to the full five-plate underbody kit. If you're building a touring or off-road Hilux and want the vulnerable bits protected before you hit rutted tracks, rock and station gravel, this is the right starting point. For everything else on the truck, see all Toyota Hilux upgrades.
Why Choose Rival Aluminium Underbody Protection?
Rival makes aluminium underbody protection. Here's what that means on your Hilux:
- 6mm aluminium construction across the aluminium sets, lighter than typical 3mm steel plates while still taking impact.
- ADR69-compliant and airbag/sensor compatible, so the plates work with the factory safety systems rather than fighting them.
- Winch-ready with integrated recovery points built into the relevant plates, so recovery gear has proper anchor points.
- Backed by Rival's official warranty.
The sets protect the components that cost real money when a rock finds them: the radiator, engine sump, transmission, transfer case and fuel tank. On a loaded touring Hilux, those are exactly the parts you don't want to be repairing in the middle of nowhere.
Is Aluminium Better Than a Steel Bash Plate?
For most touring and off-road Hilux builds, yes. The honest trade-off is weight versus outright thickness. Here's how Rival's 6mm aluminium compares to the generic 3mm steel plate the factory or a budget option gives you:
| Factor | Rival 6mm aluminium | Typical 3mm steel |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Lighter, easier on GVM and payload | Heavier, eats into your load budget |
| Corrosion | Won't rust, good for coastal and salt-track use | Rusts where the coating chips |
| Impact protection | 6mm section absorbs and spreads impact | Thinner section, more prone to deforming |
| Airbag/sensor compatibility | Designed compatible, ADR69-compliant | Varies by maker |
The payload point matters on a Hilux. Every kilo of protection is a kilo off your GVM budget once you add a canopy, drawers, water and camping gear. Aluminium lets you protect the underbody without the weight penalty of steel. If you're chasing the absolute maximum thickness for hardcore rock work and don't care about weight, steel has its place, but for the touring and mixed off-road use most Hilux owners do, 6mm aluminium is the sensible pick.
What Does a Hilux Bash Plate Set Cover?
Rival's Hilux range runs from partial sets to full underbody coverage, so you can protect what matters for your use case. The components covered across the range:
- Radiator and engine (front sump area), the first thing a high centre or a rock finds.
- Transmission, protecting the gearbox from below.
- Transfer case, vulnerable on rutted and rocky tracks.
- Fuel tank, a big flat target hanging low at the rear.
- Lower control arms on the full-underbody kits.
Popular options include the radiator, engine and transmission set for buyers protecting the front and mid section, the radiator, engine, transmission, transfer case and fuel tank set for full driveline and tank cover, and the full set adding lower control arm protection. If you're doing serious tracks, the full underbody kit is the one; for gravel and lighter touring, a partial set covering the engine and transmission is often enough.
Which Rival Set Fits My Hilux?
Fitment is precise to year and model. The Rival sets in this collection suit the 2005-2015 N70 and 2015-on N80 GUN Hilux, and many share fitment with the 2015-on Fortuner where the underbody layout matches. Because the kits differ by how many plates they include, the key decision is coverage rather than fitment, once you've confirmed which platform you're on.
If you're on an earlier build in the current generation, check the 2015-2019 GUN Hilux parts range as well. If your Hilux is a pre-2015 model, only the N70 (2005-2015) sets suit it, so confirm the right part with us before you order rather than guessing. We hold deep Rival stock in WA and NZ and can ship from any Australian warehouse to any commercial address.
How Bash Plates Fit Into Your Hilux Build
Underbody protection is one part of a complete Hilux setup. A lift gives you the clearance so the plates aren't the first thing dragging; check Hilux N80 lift kits for the suspension side of the equation. Up front, Hilux bullbars and front-end protection handle the impact the plates can't reach, and Hilux rock sliders and side steps protect the sills and rocker panels on tight tracks. Bash plates, sliders, a bar and a sensible lift together give you protection front to back and top to bottom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are aluminium bash plates any good?
Yes. Rival's 6mm aluminium plates are lighter than typical 3mm steel, so they're easier on your Hilux's GVM and payload, and aluminium doesn't rust, which matters on coastal and salt-affected tracks. The 6mm section spreads impact, and the plates are ADR69-compliant and airbag/sensor compatible.
Are bash plates worth it and necessary?
If you drive rutted tracks, rock, or station gravel, yes. The Hilux's engine sump, transmission, transfer case and fuel tank sit low and exposed. A single strike on any of them can end a trip and cost far more than the plates. For sealed-road use only, they're less critical, but any real off-road or touring rig should run them.
How much does a Hilux bash plate cost?
It depends on how many plates you need. A partial set covering the radiator, engine and transmission costs less than the full five-plate underbody kit that adds the transfer case, fuel tank and lower control arms. Pick the coverage that suits your driving, or contact us and we'll match a set to your build.
What is the weakness of the Toyota Hilux underbody?
Standard, the Hilux leaves the engine sump, transmission, transfer case and fuel tank exposed underneath, with only thin factory covering in places. Those low-hanging components are the parts most likely to cop a hit off-road, which is exactly what a full Rival bash plate set is designed to protect.
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