OEM skid plate install

Question about the Toyota Accessory skid plate - thinking of adding one to my 11.

1. Can anyone post a PDF of the install instructions?
2. Does it affect access to the drain plug? (or anything else I should know about?)
3. Is it trivial to install? Can it be done without lifting the truck?
4. Do you recommend it?

 

Takes 5 minutes to install. No lifting required. Cant go wrong.

 

Thanks for the info everyone!

 

For anyone who finds this thread later - I am totally stock (not lifted) and it was easy to do. No need to jack the truck or anything like that. All you do is remove two bolts and loosen two others, and it slides in, torque to spec. Took me maybe 20 minutes.

 

It's only about an eighth inch thick, it isn't for serious OR obviously, but it feels a little stronger than I expected from the photos. I think it would provide some protection from your garden variety road debris like a limb that's down in the road, or whatever crazy item is spilled on the highway today that you can't avoid.

One bonus is that because of the holes you can still access the recovery hook, which on my truck is on the right side (as you face the truck)

 

How much difference is there between the stock one and the accessory skid plate? From looking at pictures I didn't really a whole lot...besides finish.

 

its textured alum. not the thickest but it looks good. Compared to the black plate that comes stock. its better than nothing. the stock one is like a foil can, very light and flimsy. upon install you can adjust the brackets to set the edge of the plate a certain distance from your bumper. Mine is about one inch away i think since. ftw you install this right over the stock one.

 

I like having both. The oem black one curves up on the sides to keep shit out and the TRD silver one adds a bit of strength and aero and changes the look. I flatened out the ridges on the black oem bolt holes up front and went without the longer spacer bolts to minimze the space between the front edge of the skid and the bumper. I didn't like that gap and how it looked lower to the ground with the spacers. Here's the gap on mine............



Just enough so the back of the bracket bolts doesn't touch the painted bumper. The TRD towhook still fits too.

 

I thought about that myself, but then I also thought that if I hit something small or medium sized, I wanted the gap there to hopefully keep the skid plate from gashing the bumper and cracking it.

It's not out of the question here that I could try to traverse a mound of snow in the winter only to find out that underneath it's a lot harder than you expected (that's what she said), old snow piled up and iced, then covered with new snow, whatever. I don't know if the gap would be helpful, but because my bumper is black it's not too noticeable anyway.

 

If you go back to your manual it states not to use the hook on the driver's side as a recovery point. I know alot of guys here will tell you they use it all the time, but the manual says to use the Factory tow hook (if equipped) or the "towing eyelet" which mounts in the same place as the tow hook on the passenger side of the truck.

 

I don't know but I find it look better black then silver mine is stock and starting to rust I'll have to fix that but dose it really make it worth having the other one?

 

Looks good. I am going to have to add one.

 

Is that so, I didn't notice anything over there.

So what's the hook for, if not for recovery?

 

Tie down point when shipping?

 

Tie downs should be holes in the frame, 2 in the front, 2 in the back.

 

I installed the add-on skid plate on mine because i scuffed up the lower bumper on my tundra going through a dry creek bed and bottomed out. the plate would have prevented that.
I bought one off ebay but they sent me one for a 1st generation taco. had to remove the passenger side recovery hook and turn it upside down. then it hangs too low for comfort. have removed it and am returning it for a refund. it also was postioned too far from the painted bumper. I jury-rigged it to fit closer and then glued a couple of peices of hard rubber to it to use as buffers in the event something slammed it up against the bumper. Hopefully the 2nd generation design will fit better.

 

I believe the manual highlights the front 2 tie down locations as the tow hook/eyelet on the passenger side and the hook on the driver's side, and 2 holes in the frame towards the rear of the truck

 

Here's a pic of my OEM skid plate.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/gallery/showfull.php?photo=274044

 

I bought one of Matt's skid plates (the above link) and it's an awesome piece. Very heavy and looks great and like you said its about the same price as an OEM one.

 

Cool truck.