TRD skid plate problem

I was trying to get my knock off TRD pro style plate on today when I was doing the fluid film for the year.

I couldn't seem to get the middle bolts in. Like they weren't long enough and the rear bolt holes just didn't seem to line up right. In the end I had to give up because it started to rain.
I am thinking mine came with the bolts and spacers already attached to the front and middle. Now that Im probably done for the day I'm thinking that they have the things pre assembled wrong.
Do the longest bolts go in the front or middle? They have the longest in the front. With shorter ones in the center holes and no spacer in the back.

Can anyone please tell me how it goes together correctly?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/trd-pro-skid-plate-install-directions.514918/

 

Just take it off and put the bolts through the holes to determine how much exposed thread will be engaging.

 

It can be a bear to get the bolts started. I lay on my back and hold the skid with my knees. I start with the two center bolts.

 

I happen to have my skid plate off right now. The front bolts are 74mm long, including the head, and the front spacers are 31mm. Hope this helps.

The middle bolts are captive and hard to measure, but they are longer than these items.

front bolts:



front spacers:

 

Front bolt and spacer on left side of photos. Middle bolt and spacer shown captive.

 

The faux trd skid plate comes with the bolts in the wrong location. The longer bolts and spacers go in the middle and the shorter bolts and spacers at the front. Reuse your stock OEM bolts for the rear or as provided. Sorry OP!

 

I had to use a scissor jack to bend the rear of my plate into position. Just took a bit of trial and error to start getting the bolts in the threads and making sure I wasn't cross - threading them. So i attached the front, then middle, then bent up the rear, loosened the front, worked in the rear bolts, re-tightened the front. Long bolts in middle, medium in front, reused the small rear ones

 

This leaves me to believe what I thought after I packed it up for the day.

See front bolt is longer than middle



Middle

 

Yep just have to switch them and you’re good to go. Same thing happened to me when I had one of those skids

 

Thanks man
Exactly what I thought too bad I struggled with it so long and got caught in the rain.
Oh well another day and now I have the answer to my problem.

 

Yeah I totally feel your pain on that. Luckily it’s an easy solution

 

Yep. Those are backwards.

 

Yep i can fix that just not today now. Sucks the thing sat in my basement for months.
Maybe I can get a helper next time too.. who knows. It was a little bit difficult but i was able to hold it up with my knees.

 

Yeah in the past I had to find a box that filled the void between the plate and the mounting location. I have never had a helper for any of my installs so many times I’ve had to use my knees, feet, stomach and at times resorted to using my face to hold things up lol
Good luck. You’ll get it this second time no problem!

 

I installed the OEM skids for my truck solo as well and I agree that it's difficult, but not impossible. It was a workout for sure. A jack would've helped.

 

I did my TRD skid plate in the driveway. Have to be a bit of a contortionist and have all your tools within reach. I didn't jack up my truck (luckily I still fit under my truck..lol).


Glad you got it sorted out!

 

Today victory is mine. I swapped the middle band front bolts around and was able prop it up with my knees and get a middle bolt started then the other side then the front. With a little Zac brown band going I got it done. Even did the AC drain mod and finished the fluid film job. Just need to clean the greasy hand prints.