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Factory Skid Plate Question

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by Wpg07TRD, Feb 18, 2015.

  1. Feb 18, 2015 at 8:05 AM
    #1
    Wpg07TRD

    Wpg07TRD [OP] Canadian Member

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    '07 TRD Sport, DCLB
    5100s and 885x coils, Trail Gear Add-A-Leafs/5125s, interior light LED swap, rcbs204 illuminated 4x4 switch
    I purchased my 2007 DCLB TRD Sport in November. It's damn cold here in November and as a result I didn't crawl underneath it to check things out before I bought it. I just installed a set of 5100s with OME 885x coils and while installing the Diff drop spacers using instructions from a thread on here, I noticed that the rear skid plate that should be covering the front differential is no longer there. I have no reason to believe that it simply fell off, as there appears to be no damage under there, but there is no skid plate behind the front one.

    My question is, should I be worried about the fact that it is not there? This truck is not my daily driver, nor is it something that will see rough off road use. It is driven on road 95% of the time and is pretty much just a utility truck for work around the house and pulling our small camper trailer.

    I have looked around online and on TW and haven't been able to even find a picture of exactly what this missing skid plate looks like. If it is something that I should be replacing, does anyone have a suggestion as to where I could try finding one, other than the dealership?

    Thanks in advance for the help!

    :cheers: :canada:
     
  2. Feb 18, 2015 at 8:10 AM
    #2
    Taco Dan

    Taco Dan Well-Known Member

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    Snorkel, Cooper ST Maxx 255/80/17, diff breather relocate, Cobra ultra III cb radio set up Warrior Products front bumper
    I know the TRD OR has the secondary skid plate. im not sure if the TRD Sport comes with them. my SR5 did not have it either. i found one from a 2005 4runner in a junk yard that fits perfectly to put under mine.
     
    Last edited: Feb 18, 2015
  3. Feb 18, 2015 at 8:27 AM
    #3
    Westside

    Westside Southbound

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    My "12 SPORT did not have one
     
  4. Feb 18, 2015 at 8:40 AM
    #4
    Taco Dan

    Taco Dan Well-Known Member

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    ^x2, please research why on this site op. it can lead to catastrophic failure if hit right.
     
  5. Feb 18, 2015 at 9:00 AM
    #5
    Westside

    Westside Southbound

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    Not all factory Tacoma's have both
     
  6. Feb 18, 2015 at 9:05 AM
    #6
    geekhouse23

    geekhouse23 The "Liftman" - @DrFunker

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  7. Feb 18, 2015 at 9:31 AM
    #7
    Taco Dan

    Taco Dan Well-Known Member

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    I can't say for certain because i got my truck used. Westside, did you purchase your truck new? this sheds interesting light.
     
  8. Feb 18, 2015 at 9:39 AM
    #8
    Westside

    Westside Southbound

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    LOL. Yeah I've been under my truck a time or two. One front, thin stamped metal"splash pan" forward. Nothing, nada, zero covering the front diff. It's totally exposed. Truck was brand new off the lot this way... That's why I'm saying that.
     
  9. Feb 18, 2015 at 9:46 AM
    #9
    Taco Dan

    Taco Dan Well-Known Member

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    so TRD OR and Reg cab Base 4x4s have the front diff splash guard.
    now we know which trucks Toyota holds at a higher value lol.
     
  10. Feb 18, 2015 at 9:57 AM
    #10
    Westside

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    I think Toyota never expects TRD Sport owners to take their trucks off road
     
  11. Feb 18, 2015 at 10:03 AM
    #11
    Foihdzas

    Foihdzas VA7PTZ

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    I have seen two other tacos plus mine. they all have ONE splash pan. all 4x4 sport trucks
     
  12. Feb 18, 2015 at 7:08 PM
    #12
    bjmoose

    bjmoose Bullwinkle J. Moose

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    I deleted every post I made on this thread because the more I think about it - the less I'm sure exactly how that factory splash pan was originally configured on my truck.

    I can't go back and check because I've long since replace the factory pan with aftermarket skid plates. And my Chilton's doesn't show any pictures of the "splash shields" as they call them - only pictures after they've been removed to access whatever's underneath.
     
  13. Feb 19, 2015 at 6:57 AM
    #13
    Wpg07TRD

    Wpg07TRD [OP] Canadian Member

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    5100s and 885x coils, Trail Gear Add-A-Leafs/5125s, interior light LED swap, rcbs204 illuminated 4x4 switch
    WOW. I really appreciate all the input guys! So what I'm taking home from all the feedback is this;

    1- the rear splash guard, or skid plate, may never have existed and I don't need to worry too much about it, and

    2- take that Toytec diff drop kit off my truck. Now!

    That presents me with another question that hopefully someone can answer. After installing my 5100s and 885x coils my front end is up about 2.5". I installed the diff drop because I thought it would help extend the life of my actual CV joints due to the increased angled put on them by the lift. Am I to understand that the joints themselves are not in danger and that kit is only meant to help preserve the CV boots?

    Also, not that I'm playing devil's advocate here but, I will probably never have this truck in a rock crawling situation. Any off road use it will see would be mud in a camp ground or gravel roads on the way out to go quading. Does this diff drop kit actual put my truck in danger during every day on road use?

    Again, thank you all for the info and advice!

    :cheers: :canada:
     
  14. Feb 19, 2015 at 6:59 AM
    #14
    geekhouse23

    geekhouse23 The "Liftman" - @DrFunker

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    It also causes internal parts that need proper lubrication to not get properly lubbed because of the new angle after the kit is installed.
     
  15. Feb 19, 2015 at 7:29 AM
    #15
    Wpg07TRD

    Wpg07TRD [OP] Canadian Member

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    5100s and 885x coils, Trail Gear Add-A-Leafs/5125s, interior light LED swap, rcbs204 illuminated 4x4 switch
    I'm on page 8 of 13 reading the thread I was pointed too and I'm learning lots. (maybe some stuff I really didn't need to know, haha)

    So, here's what I installed, 5100s with 885x coils, Toytec diff drop kit and sway bar drop kit.

    I put the new coils in to level the truck, which as it turns out is now maybe a bit front high so I'll be putting an AAL in the back on my droopy stock leafs, but that's a whole new thread......So with the front 2.5" lift, should I be taking the diff drop and sway bar drop kits off??? If I do, is there anything else that I should be doing to my truck to accommodate the lift?? What negative side effects am I going to end up with now that I'm running this lift??

    :cheers: :canada:
     
  16. Feb 19, 2015 at 7:34 AM
    #16
    geekhouse23

    geekhouse23 The "Liftman" - @DrFunker

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    I think you mean "sway bar relocation kit" :notsure: :confused:
     
  17. Feb 19, 2015 at 7:39 AM
    #17
    Wpg07TRD

    Wpg07TRD [OP] Canadian Member

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    ^^^ Yes. My bad. Should both kits be coming off or does the sway bar relocation kit actually do something beneficial with a 2.5" lift?
     
  18. Feb 19, 2015 at 7:47 AM
    #18
    geekhouse23

    geekhouse23 The "Liftman" - @DrFunker

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    SB relocation kit prevents the sway bar from rubbing on the shock/coil assembly when off road. I run one just in case, but next time I wheel it, I'm removing the SB to test it.
     
  19. Feb 19, 2015 at 8:00 AM
    #19
    Wpg07TRD

    Wpg07TRD [OP] Canadian Member

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    5100s and 885x coils, Trail Gear Add-A-Leafs/5125s, interior light LED swap, rcbs204 illuminated 4x4 switch
    So if the SB kit is primarily beneficial for off road, I guess it can stay or go, it's not going to do any damage, right? So back to the question about any other parts after the lift...... Am I going to be fine with a 2.5" lift and no other front end modifications or additions?
     
  20. Feb 19, 2015 at 9:10 AM
    #20
    bjmoose

    bjmoose Bullwinkle J. Moose

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    You may/probably need the sway bar relocate just to avoid the swaybar hitting the coils during normal operation - including on road. It never hurts anything if present.
     

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