Exemplary pistons and methods of making the same are disclosed. An exemplary piston may include a crown defining a combustion bowl and a ring land extending circumferentially around the combustion bowl. Exemplary pistons may further include a skirt supporting the crown. The skirt may include a pair of pin bosses defining a pin bore configured to receive a piston pin, and two opposing skirt supports defining surfaces configured to slide along a cylinder bore surface. The skirt supports each define a different radial stiffness.

A piston for assembly with a cylinder of an internal combustion engine. The piston includes a piston body having a longitudinal axis that extends from a crown to a bottom of the piston body. The piston body defines a pin opening having a piston pin axis for receipt of a piston pin. A piston skirt is assembled with and exterior to the piston body. The piston skirt includes a first skirt pocket and a second skirt pocket, wherein the first and second skirt pockets are positioned above the piston pin axis. The piston skirt includes a lower skirt positioned below the piston pin axis. Outer surfaces of the first and second skirt pockets are recessed laterally relative to an outer lower skirt surface of the lower skirt. The outer lower skirt surface of the lower skirt is longitudinally aligned with an outer surface of an upper land.

A piston for assembly with a cylinder of an internal combustion engine. The piston includes a piston body having a longitudinal axis that extends from a crown to a bottom of the piston body. The piston body defines a pin opening having a piston pin axis for receipt of a piston pin. A piston skirt is assembled with and exterior to the piston body. The piston skirt includes a first skirt pocket and a second skirt pocket, wherein the first and second skirt pockets are positioned above the piston pin axis. The piston skirt includes a lower skirt positioned below the piston pin axis. Outer surfaces of the first and second skirt pockets are recessed laterally relative to an outer lower skirt surface of the lower skirt. The outer lower skirt surface of the lower skirt is longitudinally aligned with an outer surface of an upper land.