First gen Tacoma's don't see much love from the fabricators these days. It's understandable, really - these trucks are getting older and there aren't as many out there as 2nd and 3rd gen Tacoma's. Plus, those of us that own 1st gens are cheap - that's part of why we're still running these older trucks!
Knowing that this was the case even a few years ago, I eagerly awaited a sale to purchase a rear diff skid from Jerry @JLee and the good folks over at Bay Area Metal Fabrication (BAMF). One came along for Black Friday, and despite the several-hundred-buckaroo-even-with-a-discount price, I scooped one up - because I knew it wouldn't be around much longer, I knew it'd be a quality part, and I liked the idea of supporting BAMF.
It arrived, and it was beautiful. I put it in the living room awaiting installation. And that was two years ago.
I held off on the installation for a couple of reasons, but the only one that really matters is that I didn't feel like there were any trips that would require it, or that would put my rear diff at risk. However, this fall we have a group trip to Colorado in the works, and knowing how these trips trips go, I wanted a little extra protection, so to speak.
Plus, the Tacoma is getting old, and we all know that when you get old it's not uncommon to start wearing a (diff) diaper. 
Installation looked straight forward enough. Jerry sent the skid with three brackets and six bolts - everything I'd need to get it installed.
Figuring it'd only take a few minutes to install, I got started by holding it in place and loosely threading in the bolts for the two brackets that secure the skid to the axle housing. One of these required bending a bit of brake line to get the bracket to clear, but otherwise went off without a hitch.
The last thing to do - before tightening everything down - was to position the front bracket. This one is supposed to fit over a rectangular casting on the 3rd member, but for some reason mine seemed to be positioned a little too far forward, the bracket contacting the 3rd member right around the pinion seal. It would probably be OK, but I didn't love it.
The solution required a small modification of the skid plate, but wasn't hard by any means. All I needed to do was to partially cut off the nuts into which the bolts that secured the front bracket threaded, bend/tilt them back slightly on the skid plate, and re-weld them into place. I did much of the welding with the skid plate on the truck, just to ensure that whatever alignment I ended up with would fit my configuration correctly.
A bit of paint - which on a skid like this will probably need to be refreshed each year - and everything was good to go. I still won't run this skid all the time - there's no point in hauling it's beefy, badass, ¼" steel self around - but it sure is nice to know that I have it if I need it!
Update March 2024 - The BAMF rear diff skid has been amazing. Worth every dollar I spent on it, and it's so cool that Jerry still sells these things two decades after these trucks ceased manufacturing.
To that end, my skid is now in the lucky hands of another 1st gen Tacoma owner. I no longer needed it after installing a New Diamond Axle Housing from Front Range Off Road, which is made of significantly thicker steel. I still probably would have kept the skid if it fit, but I'm happy it continues to serve the community!
Awesome. No one made them years ago even when 1st gens were the new thing. I built my own with some inspiration from another member on the TTORA forum back in the day. I love not worrying about dragging the diff over stuff or backing into a rock. https://www.ttora.com/threads/e-locker-diff-skid.105137/?post_id=1285921&nested_view=1#post-1285921