TRD Pro skid plate install notes

Dig the bed liner on your knockoff plate. I’m curious about your front shackles? Are they mounted diy or is there a part you need to order? Thanks

 

Thanks! For the shackles, I bought these mounts.

All Sales 88711 2009-20 Toyota Tacoma Demon Bracket

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07PGLK9CD?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title You just need to remove the bolts and plate holding the factory tie down. I also bought the autobot shackles from Amazon here

$26 AUTOBOTS Shackles 3/4" (2 Pack), D Ring Shackle 45000Ib Max Break Strength with 7/8" Pin & Isolator Washers Heavy Duty Clevis Tow Shackle for Tow Strap Jeep Vehicle Off Road Recovery Blue-Black

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08DXYBDXR?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

It’s only one bolt that attaches to the frame, but it is sturdy. I wouldn’t try to pull a vehicle with them, but for pulling logs out around the farm it’s perfect.

 

Thanks gbailey814

 

I still feel like there are mixed answers being thrown around. So if I'm installing tomorrow on my '17 Sport, I should or shouldn't remove that small OEM skid plate first?

Is anti-seize what everyone used on the bolts?

Will I be ok without a torque wrench? I'm not sure I'm able to get exactly x ft/lbs. but I can tighten them to the max.

 

You won't be able to Install with oem skid in place. Need to remove it + 2 bolts.

 

You have to remove the OEM skid plate bc the other one you put in will go where the OEM goes. Highly recommend using anti-seize. A little goes a long way, so you definitely don’t need to coat the screw. As far as the torque wrench, I did the same, but erred on the side of potentially too loose vs too tight. I cranked it down, but definitely didn’t apply my full force. It felt very sturdy and secure, so I left it at that. I drove for a week then checked them again. The bolts hadn’t loosened and the plate didn’t shift at all with me grabbing it and trying to jerk on it. I’ll give it another month and then check the bolts again. If they are still just as tight, I’ll be confident.

 

Is there a different mount point for Sports? I just removed my old plate, and the front bolts don't line up on the new skid plate. Directions say it fits a Sport but I have to remove the air dam which I did years ago. Anyone know what I'm not seeing here? Thanks for all the tips!

Edit: By front bolts I mean the front of the truck. middle and back (toward the rear of the truck) appear to line up perfectly.

 

My truck is a 2021 Sport. I don’t think there’s any difference between the models as far as mounting points. Can you post a picture as to how they aren’t lining up? Also, what brand skid plate do you have?

 

Same one you got I believe. Faux Skid from Amazon

$189 KUAFU Front Skid Plate Compatible with 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma Off-Road TRD PRO Sport SR5 Replacement for PTR60-35190 PTR60-35160 Protection Aluminum

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08LK1V9NR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

It's about an 1.5-2" off. I did have to switch the middle and front bolts like you said. Just weird

 

Regarding getting this skid plate to work with a differential drop.
Yes, you can get it to work. You just have to buy longer bolts. I don't recall the exact size but I basically just bought grade 8 bolts that were an inch longer for the front and middle and 1/2" longer for the 2 in the rear and it worked fine. Regarding the spacers, I stacked several to make up for the extra inch. I would probably find some sort of spacer online next time.

 

So I went ahead and lightly threaded the middle and back bolts:

1. the front bolts are now nowhere close to the holes where the old front bolts went.

2. The middle (and front) bolts on the new plate are way too thick. Which sounds like this has been answered above in buying new bolts/spacers.

I have no problem buying new hardware. Just starting to think I got the wrong plate for a 17 Sport 4x4 with those fronts being so far off. As you can see in the pic they’re slightly wider but so far off when mounted

 

Oh that was not for me. Sorry haha. Still scratching my head over here. If I’m not going off road any time soon am I ok with neither skid plate on until I figure this out?

The worst part is I’ve painted it. I’m an idiot for doing so before knowing it fit bc now Amazon won’t take it back. I just trusted everyone that it fit and didn’t want to take it back off just to paint.

 

Dang, just looking at your picture, I think they made it wrong. The bolts in mine were all evenly spaced apart. It’s the front right screw in your picture that is the one that’s off.

 

Which frame holes are you aligning with?
Here is a pic for a reference.
Your skid looks fine. My pic is the driver’s sides. Locate the towing shackle. Go to the left and remove 2nd bold from the frame. Thats is your hole for the front bolt.
Do the same on the pax side

 

gbailey814 - Did you buy the KUAFU skid plate from Amazon for $283 with free shipping? It seems CherokeeCajun bought that one and had issues with the front mount locations. I am considering purchasing one. There are only 4 reviews and they all say it's fine except for some spacers in the wrong location, but easy to change. Thanks in advance.

 

Yeah that’s the one. The only issue I had was changing the spacer location as you mentioned.

 

My issue was mixed with some user error. Check the length of your bolts and spacers. As long as you get those in the correct spot you’re good! And remember you aren’t using the mount points from the old skid plate. That’s where my hiccup came from

 

Thanks CherokeeCajun and gbailey814.