SR5 post airdamectomy: exposed oil and intercoolers?

Hello all, new member, posted this Question on another forum, did not get much traction. Maybe my brothers here are as anal as I am? Reading the other posts, I thankfully think so. I am considering an SR5. Like most, I would remove the air dam. I have been looking at pics of the front end after it has been removed and it seems the oil cooler and intercooler are very exposed once the dam is off. Not they were particularly well shielded before the removal, but still...Anyone have any issue with debris/ ice / slush / gravel whatever causing damage to these components post damectomy? Or is there nothing to worry about??
Thanks for any insight!!
Rich

 

That looks more like a splash plate than an air dam. Why do people remove it anyway? It doesn't help cooling to remove it, doesn't change the aesthetics, it just allows the belly of the beast to get muddy and take damage from rocks and stuff. Air dams fit where the front edge of that corrugated surface is and are meant to deflect air around the front of the vehicle instead of under it, reducing aerodynamic lift at high speeds, something a pickup truck needs like a pink paint job.

 

Hi, yes, in the pic the air dam has been removed already, allowing a full frontal of the "splash guard". The issue is that now that there is no air dam , there are those huge gaps between the splash guard and plastic piece to which it is affixed. Looks wide open for road debris, gravel whatever, but maybe it is not an issue.....just asking.

 

Yea see radiator fins in the gap and potential. Quick thought is to cut the air dam enough to be able to reinstall to close the gap?

 

Trimming vs. removing seems to be the most viable option to avoid that open area.

 

A lot are installing a skid plate as there is zero protection under there. Hitting a raccoon on the highway may cause significant damage! Shop around, there are a few different options out there, surely one will suit your needs and budget. Sucks that Toyota went the route of not including better protection under our trucks.

 

I have a SR5 and installed a Skidplate and Cross Member.
Installing just the Crossmember and reinstalling the felt splash guard will give you better protection than stock.
Crossmembers are cheap.

 

Indeed. There is virtually no protection under my SR5. A piece of metal kicked up on the interstate could do a lot of damage; not to mention what off-roading could do. A full set of skids should be one of the first real add-ons to consider.

 

Great comments everyone thank you. Interestingly, even with the skid in place , the gap between the lip of the skid and the front edge of the plastic bumper thing (see image from Smellme's truck) seems to still remains. However, obviously it is waaaaaay better . I guess it be what it be. Is there a thread on how to stop worrying about things? Maybe I should hang out there LOL.

 

The picture looks like an off-road, which doesn't come with an air dam.

Edit: or is that the "felt" cover that people complain about.

 

First of all, that's your A/C condenser...

The remaining gap is about the same as 4Runner and FJ when modified, hasn't been an issue over the past 20 years:

 

My SR5 with the XP package has the true air dam under the front bumper. I really like that it's easily removeable. Nine bolts and it slips right off. I'm liking the idea that I can have it on for long hwy trips from GA to VA to see my family and get better fuel economy, but easily remove it for when I am wanting to do some trail or leave it off for looks while tooling around town. I always carry an impact drill with me in my truck, and it's easy to crawl under there to remove the 4 bolts on the underside, two on each end of the dam. The 5 bolts on the front, just barely "under" can be reached kneeling down. 5 minutes or so to remove or reinstall.

I haven't taken the plunge to get skid plates yet, but when I do I'll probably have to forgo the air dam. I'll try to get jiggy with it and make it fit around whatever engine skid I get.

 

I’ll post my normal post about this:

Good luck tearing the dam off during off-roading. Everyone hypothesizes about it, and I think only one or two people on this forum ever actually succeeded on the 3rd gen., as it is plastic and flexes. I’ve smashed my 2017 dam and undercarriage into all sorts of stuff, and the dam is just more scuffed now. I dropped one side of the truck into a ditch. It bent some of the gimpy OEM brush plates, but the dam just flexed several inches and back it went. I get it’s the aesthetics thing, I guess…

 

Thanks everyone, and for pointing out we are looking at AC condenser, not oil cooler. If something gets damaged, better that than the oil cooler I guess.

 

Thanks for that, I'll be leaving that baby on until further notice then...

 

Doubt the dam provides substantial protection and the sound of it scraping curbs and rocks would drive me crazy. I have an SR5 coming and it's the first thing I'll remove, the "mud flaps" are likely next. Nytop makes a "hybrid bumper" that looks like it covers that gap: https://nytop.com/toyota-tacoma-accessories-store/p/2024-current-toyota-tacoma-front-hybrid-bumper. It looks great but way too expensive for me. I'm installing a Trailhunter skid plate and will just roll the dice on that gap.