What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

New sunshade!

 

I just finished installing my non-OEM skid plate I got on Amazon for like 165 bucks. It would have been a faster install had I figured a couple things out. 1st, buy it. It's fine. 2nd remember the bolt pattern:

Front of truck gets medium bolts and smaller spacers
Middle gets large bolts and large spacers
Rear gets small bolts and no spacers.

NOTE: Mine came with 3 long spacers (instead of 2). I used that one to pound down the lock washers. I doubt that's why they included it but I'll take the win.

Go to the hardware store and bring one of the allen screws with you for the oil filter door. It doesn't ship with an allen wrench. Buy said allen wrench so you can change your oil like a boss.

Remove the OEM TWO skid plates.

Next remove 4 bolts per this picture. The instructions are B&W photocopies and you can't see the arrows:



Now for your new skid plate.

When you put the lock washers on over the spacers, knock them down about 1/2 way down the threads. I smashed mine all the way to the bottom, making the bolts nearly impossible to screw in because there was no slack. If you knock them half way down you'll be set. Seriously, this made my install suck. I'm still a little angry about it to be honest.

Use a floor jack to hold it.

When you go to mount the skid plate, finger tighten the front bolts first, JUST enough to catch a few threads. Move to the middle and finger tighten those. I would leave the rears off at this point.

GRADUALLY screw in each bolt a little and move to the next one. You want the plate to go straight up and level. When the plate gets closer to the frame, finger tighten the rear bolts. Once all bolts are in, keep tightening each bolt a little and move on to the next bolt. Keep doing this all the way around. Eventually you'll have it on.

I'd say the install took me an hour and half or so by myself and I did it while working from home so I would do a little, go in the house and check my email, do some work and come back to it. I also did it in the rain.

This is the one I ordered. When I placed the order a few days ago they were running a 10% off sale on it so it was $172 with tax and free shipping.

ECOTRIC Aluminum Front Skid Plate Protection Compatible with 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma Off-Road Pro Sport SR5 Replacement for PTR60-35190, PTR60-35160

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LKQ6FVW?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

The instructions that come with it are B&W photocopies of the OEM skid plate. They are fine with the exception of the picture I posted above.



ANYWAY, I got the knock off skid plate installed today. Hard Tonneau Cover arrives tomorrow and I'll do it when I get home from work.

 

Thank you soooooo munch for that detailed explanation. I’m going to order mine tomorrow. Really appreciate the help and the time you took explaining the pitfalls!

 

My pleasure.

When I thought I was done I stood back to admire my handy work and the skid plate wasn't level. It hung down too far to the right in the front. And I cranked down all the bolts so that was weird. I had to unscrew all the bolts until the thing was hanging loose and retighten. My bolt heads are a little rounded from how much I tightened and loosened them but it seems to be good now. I'll check them in a month or so as the truck gets driven a little and everything settles.

Hit me up if you have any questions but it's seriously a good kit and a pretty easy install. It's not fast, but it's not difficult.

 

I like that TRD down in the lower corner. Nice touch.

 

I feel your pain. Had the same issues this time of year with my white 2004...maddening.

 

I use these flexible funnels for the 2.7 filter i have a front trd skid so the 2 pack works great with no mess i also have that valvomax drain i love it

Nayciiy Silica Gel Flexible Funnel Flexible Draining Oil Funnel Tool Foldable Form a Funnel Free Oil Filter Reusable General Funnel Tool - Flexible Funnel for Oil Change (Green-1)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BW8ZBF58?smid=A1O43JZ4KHHA37&th=1

 

Awesome, thanks brother. Nice looking truck. Are those DuraTacs?

 

ohh man...

Not rubbing it in but we actually had an 80 degree day.. shorts and tshirts this afternoon... I'm not looking forward to the cold.

 

Dont forget to contribute to the app as well. The more people posting alerts, the better it is

 

Love it

 

Shoot at this point any day the high is over 40 is a good day here…

 

Yeah, within just a few weeks, we went from 80's to 50's with it dipping down to 29 degrees on Saturday night... And... my furnace decided to die. I get to spend an unexpected $7K tomorrow to have it replaced. I was planning to upgrade sometime soon, just not tomorrow. If I could just dial back all the adulting going on, that'd be great. Yeah...

 

i tore off 3 or 4 of the ones i have. they dont hold up well off roading but are great around the city.

I currently run Husky long johns

 

Yessir and thanks. They are Duratracs.

 

So a few days ago I found a pair of Diode Dynamics SS3 Max fog lights for $200 I figured there might be a problem with them for that price but it turns out they work just fine!

Also got a used 3 gallon roto can with the mount for around $100 all in and a DIY loop (

$11 Glarks 36Pcs 304 Stainless Steel M6 Male Thread Machinery Shoulder Lifting Ring Eye Bolt with Lock Nuts/Lock Washers/Flat Washers Set

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G2SQTLL) and carabiner for the molle panel to hold my recovery rope off the bed.

 

The easy way to install fogs is opening the hood and reaching down between the grille and radiator. I went through the fender the first time too.

 

I found ripping through the fender lining super easy, just the 4-5 bolts out and ripped it back lol

 

That sucks!

There never really is an ideal time to be kicked squarely in the nuts......and pay for it....