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Missing bolts - 2003 4wd

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by coffeybean, Apr 2, 2020.

  1. Apr 2, 2020 at 7:32 PM
    #1
    coffeybean

    coffeybean [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Tundra Front disk brakes, Recarro bucket seats, the switchback blinker/running light mod, sound insulation and new speakers. 2023 - New Bilstein 4600s, new center bearing and clutch pack.
    I have this terrible rattle under the front of my 2003 4wd Xtra Cab. Underneath I find 2 of the 7 bolts that hold the bash shields under the engine and tranny are missing. Anybody have an idea what size they are?
     
  2. Apr 2, 2020 at 7:42 PM
    #2
    CSC

    CSC Well-Known Member

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  3. Apr 2, 2020 at 7:46 PM
    #3
    04Pre_Runner

    04Pre_Runner Well-Known Member

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    This is what ultimately sent me down a path of doing 100% of the maintenance on my vehicles. Some shop cross threaded some random bolts into my skid plate after losing the hardware during an oil change.
     
    MountainPassing, jammer and Kiloyard like this.
  4. Apr 2, 2020 at 7:54 PM
    #4
    willie64

    willie64 Willie64

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    BEND OR
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    ^^^this^^^^
    I had a shop work on my '05runner aaaaaand they cross threaded almost every single bolt. Over time those had backed out/ fell out tho the point the plates just rattled all the time. I spent a lot of time retapping all the holes.
     
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  5. Apr 2, 2020 at 7:56 PM
    #5
    JKO1998

    JKO1998 Well-Known Member

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    Wonder why they even took the skid off.
    Newbs
     
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  6. Apr 2, 2020 at 8:10 PM
    #6
    kosmo332001

    kosmo332001 Member

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    The bolts are self tapping which makes it easy to F them up. I finally chased the threads and got bolts from Lowe’s. That was 10 years ago and since then always did my own maintenance and never had an issue again. As for them removing the skid plate, they probably figure it’s easier than going through the wheel well.
     
    BillsSR5 likes this.
  7. Apr 3, 2020 at 4:08 AM
    #7
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    The first time I dropped a $60.00 ratchet down there and could not fish it out with a Magnet the tool catchers got tossed in the scrap.

    They are in no way skid plates
     
  8. Apr 3, 2020 at 9:34 AM
    #8
    MountainPassing

    MountainPassing Well-Known Member

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    In my area these plates are essential as we have thick roots, branches, and bushes that can and will poke into and tear up belts, sensors, wires,and hoses.
    I guess your statement makes more sense for Wyoming but id rather go for a ride on that "kind-of" skid plate than have a jagged rock eat onto my oil pan.
     
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  9. Apr 3, 2020 at 9:37 AM
    #9
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    If you plan on it stopping jagged rocks more power to you.

    If your terrain is that rough go with real skid plates that protect things simple to make
     
  10. Apr 3, 2020 at 11:08 AM
    #10
    MountainPassing

    MountainPassing Well-Known Member

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    I m sayin ill take something over nothin and it has mass uses. Yes it'll help for the odd jagged rock and everything else i described where as nothing aint stopping nothin.
    My tacoma is a light duty mountain rig and if i need heavy i take my land cruiser , just sayin not everyone wants to bolt a bunch of steel onto a non-rock crawling general purpose rig. Which is why toyota designed a general purpose shield up in there that is definitely not useless.
    If your goin heavy duty rut trails and rocks then heavy steel makes good sense.
     
    Black DOG Lila, skeezix and TWJLee like this.
  11. Apr 5, 2020 at 10:25 AM
    #11
    coffeybean

    coffeybean [OP] Well-Known Member

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    2003 Tacoma 2.7L 5 speed
    Tundra Front disk brakes, Recarro bucket seats, the switchback blinker/running light mod, sound insulation and new speakers. 2023 - New Bilstein 4600s, new center bearing and clutch pack.
    Parts on order. I will have to keep an eye on my oil change place. I have had this strange buzzing rattle which is also the skid plates. Thanks for all the help.
     
    MountainPassing likes this.
  12. Aug 1, 2020 at 5:46 PM
    #12
    coffeybean

    coffeybean [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Clarkston WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 Tacoma 2.7L 5 speed
    Tundra Front disk brakes, Recarro bucket seats, the switchback blinker/running light mod, sound insulation and new speakers. 2023 - New Bilstein 4600s, new center bearing and clutch pack.
    To wrap up this thread. The front mounts on the front skid plate were bent. Took my rig to a metal shop, Some heat, some pressure and now 6 of the 7 bolts are installed. I did not bother with the middle bolt in the front. The buzzing was the clip that snaps the back plate into the front. Now that everything lines up and is tight the noise is gone.
     
    Black DOG Lila likes this.
  13. Aug 1, 2020 at 6:23 PM
    #13
    Dylwhit

    Dylwhit Well-Known Member

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    Bash shields, I like it. I also have a few missing bolts, but no rattle. Thanks for the links
     
    Black DOG Lila likes this.

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