Let's talk OEM skidplates

I have a 2014 PreRunner TRD Off Road ... image 1 ... as I was painting the lower valance this afternoon I thought I would hit the hooks and plate as well ... pictures later.



I have seen others with a more visible plate ... see 2 & 3 ...





Is there a reason in the different placements or is it the plates?

I prefer the less visible myself.

 

The gray plate is the optional TRD front skid plate. I bought one. The black splash shield is underneath. It is not a skid plate. The TRD plate is 1/8" aluminum. It should be sufficient to protect against groundhogs and other small furry animals.

 

Thanks ... I 'm good with that.

 

I also prefer the look of the standard splash shield, but as mshultz indicates it provides little protection when off road.

I need to do some research to find out if anyone makes a front skid plate that's not so visible as the TRD one.

 

Check out all-pro. It is low profile and bulletproof.

 

I went with the ATO 1/4".

 

Do you have to remove to service the truck?

 

I have the bullet proof skid plate. It's 1/8th inch steel and looks a lot like the OEM one just stronger. Search Matt123 skid on here to find out more information.

 

How did you mount your LED's behind the lower grill? I want to put some fogs right there and I'm researching how others did it. I have a 20" single row behind my upper grill that I mounted with a BAMF BTG bar. Works perfect and is rock solid.

 

I recently installed plates built by RCI (see link). They're very well built and sit back a bit from the front bumper. They're very substantial and should offer great protection. I'm very happy with them. They come in different colors but I just got the raw aluminum version.

http://www.rcimetalworks.com/2005-Tacoma_c14.htm

 

All Pelfreybilt skids here

Are you talking about oil changes?

 

This is for an ato after market skid only.

If you are talking about oil changes then the answer is no, at least for the four cylinder. There is a hole in the skid to access the oil pan that will work on V6 and I4. I don't know where the V6 filter is though.

Changing front diff fluid requires removal of the skid. The front drive shaft can be greased with the skid on.

If you go with transmission and transfer skids then they have to be removed to drain those.

ETA: You have to remove the oem skid to service the front diff.

 

Also, even if you have a skid with a service port for the oil, you can buy one of these:

http://www.fumotousa.com/index.php

 

That's pretty cool.

 

Still have to put mine on I got my last free stealership oil change and have to change weights (10W to 5W for the winter). Can't wait to put this on! I will actually look forward to changing my oil now! No more mess!!

can't say I have heard that one before.