"Felt" engine cover swapped out

Really, Toyota?

 

I would say it’s just for ease of installation and removal. It has to come off to get to the oil filter.

 

It's for your hopes and dreams to leak out of.

 

Thanks a lot. I don’t post much, but I knew I would have benefited from this one. I had to search around quite a bit to find the answers. Hopefully it saves others some time, and provides another option.

 

Thanks again……
Was inspired, and tried ordering the part from a couple of dealers here in Houston, without success……..they tell me it’s on back order, no stock Nationwide.

 

I ordered mine online from a parts dealer. First one wouldn’t ship it saying it was fragile, but I just tried another and got it no problem.

 

Which parts dealer please

 

Toyotapartsdeal.com

 

FYI this is now listed as out of stock/discontinued at toyotapartsdeal.com.

One of my local dealers says it's indeed discontinued.

 

OP, you didn't tell us the material of the replacement "engine cover U". Is it steel, hard plastic, or what?

 

$40k truck with a felt “skid” plate.. wtf

 

Wow, it's a joke that they even bother to install that pathetic cover at all. What's it good for, maybe a year give or take? How sad corners are being cut positively everywhere. While prices continue to go up up up, and quality takes an unending liquid shit.

 

Yep, and what happens when the front fender wells (w/ the same felt composite) decompose? I suppose by then there will be aftermarket replacements. Darn, it wasn't that long ago that Toyota made improvements w/ each new version. The new upper management has certainly made its mark.

 

who all makes aftermarket skid plates now?

 

It is a hard plastic/composite. Lightweight material. I didn’t want or need a 30-50 pound skid plate.

 

CBI, RCI, Victory, Talon's Garage, NYTOP, to name a few. (In addition to the TRD & Trailhunter.)
Also, C4 and Rival 4X4 say they will make front skid plates for the 4th gen.

 

It’s a bit sad that the 1st gen Tacoma had a real engine skid and the 4th gen has a felt snuggly.

Someone should offer at least a stamped steel version, as has been on the last three generations.

 

When you search Amazon for Tacoma front skid plate you'll find many such offered for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd gens. In time, I'm sure that will happen for the 4th also, just not yet.

 

I’m sure you’re right. Difference being you didn’t need to get one from Amazon for the other gens, Toyota provided one.

 

I have the SR 4x4 6mt. I tried to order a Rival 4x4 aluminum front skid plate from Tacomabeast, and their site says "Not Compatible with TRD Sport and Limited Models." At the time, I don't recall seeing anything that it was not compatible with the SR, so I ordered it.

Then, I was told that it needs a cross member, which I lack. So, I ordered a cross member from Yotaxpedition, and just letting my Rival 4x4 order proceed. I'll update once I get it and install it.

Now, Tacomabeast's website does have a note on the Rival skid plate "Please Note: This skid plate is only for TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro, and Trailhunter"