Skid plate removal

Hi, I've got a 2022 DCLB TRO Sport, I want to get a TRO-style skid plate OEM or aftermarket, that allows me to change oil w/o dropping the skid, Any of them meet this requirement?

 

I think all of them do. I know the OEM does.

 

How much room does that little door give you? It looks pretty tight to me, but maybe it's all you need. Seems like they could have just as easily made it twice that size.

 

No problem accessing the oil filter through the door. My experience when draining the oil is that some oil gets on top of the skid plate when you first remove the OEM plug. I bought a quick drain to solve that problem. The Fumoto valves are very popular too.

$50 ValvoMax Quick Twist Oil Drain Valve – the Fastest, Easiest, Cleanest Way to Change Oil at Home – No Tools, No Mess, No Cleanup – for M12-1.25 – Made in USA

https://www.amazon.com/ValvoMax-Oil...-5292--11&vehicleName=2019+Toyota+Tacoma&th=1

Also, a kit with the oil canister tool and drain and a funnel are nice. The Motivx are high quality but more money. Out of the 3 items the oil filter tool is the necessary. The other two items can be gotten cheaper and some people don't even drain the canister, but with the skid plate you should or else the oil splashes and lays on top of the plate.

$30 Motivx Tools Oil Filter Wrench for Toyota Camry, Tundra, Tacoma, 4Runner, RAV4 and More - 64mm 14 Flute Precision CNC Machined Aluminum Oil Filter Removal Tool

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XTAGHU0?ie=UTF8

 

Thanks for the replies, I'm getting an ARB Summit bumper, and want everything on the front approach to have a little protection. This truck is getting' spendy!

 

While I do not normally like "threadjacking" ...

My new Tacoma has only the factory installed transmission plate. I do not intend to perform rock-crawling yet and will spend the required money if I do ... but by then I will likely have a "daily driver" that is more like a Corolla. I suspect, though am not sure, that just a front skid of sufficient quality would suffice for now as an addition.

I know RCI is a recommended name for skid plates, but a local off-road shop even recommended Toyota TRD skid plate, probably because they know I am still crawling and not running, so to speak, and Toyota knows about their own skid plate.

I see the notes about oil dripping onto the skid plate, and have read somewhere else in here (cannot recall where) about skid plates needing dropped for major maintenance cycles. As I have an apartment and dropped many tools in cross-country moves so my ability to install/remove skid plates would be a bottle jack and jackstands ($40) and would have to buy/"lease" a torque wrench ($40). Unless I pay Toyota labor rates.

So ... since I am likely to deal directly with Toyota for a while on oil changes and maintenance, either I drop the plate myself for major maintenance cycles or pay Toyota (inherently) the rates to do it.

So these questions:

Is Toyota TRD skid plate good enough for now?
Do I need to drop the plate for maintenance to save money?
Can Toyota handle the oil drain valve or do they whimper about it?

 

Recently changed the oil in my 23 pro.
Elected to remove the skid plate. Surprised how substantial it was. Particularly compared to my off road it replaced.
Not so easy (but doable) to reinstall by myself with the truck on the ground.
I am reasonably certain the dealer wouldn't remove it. Also pretty sure they would get oil all over the topside.
I'll try it w/o removal next time. Plan to place an old t-shirt above and around the holes. Will see how that works.

 

I have a used (harder to get new, given my timeline in that moment). Getting close to the 10k mile which is a maintenance mark so more major maintenance is probably on the list (I think that list is in the glove box with the manuals ... I will check). Still, eventually Toyota will need to access components. I tried crawling underneath and found it was not impossible but seemed tight.

 

The only major maintenance requiring skid plate removal is the front dif oil. I think that might be a 30K OCI. MAybe coolant replacement but that's not until 100K.

 

I will ask the dealer when they get annoyed by the skid plate. At 10k the propeller shaft, ball joints and steering linkage need to be accessible if driving off-pavement (as I have).

Still the question ... is TRD plate from Toyota enough or should I step up in protection?

 

No lube spots anywhere post 2019.

The TRD plate is very robust. It has a spot on it you can jack up the entire truck.

 

Thanks for that. I need "acceptable" protection for now on dirt with a few inclines and moguls, until I choose to take on "rockable" boulders.

 

I wound up going with the Lostar aftermarket one, very Heavy duty, just as good as OEM, and 1/2 the price. Middle bolts are a bit challenging, filter access and drain look good.

 

Trd plate is plenty unless doing heavy rock crawling. Love mine and never drop it to change oil although I did install a fumoto valve that’s held up well so far and installed the oem aluminum oil filter housing. It’s easy to get to with you an extension and ratchet after removing the door. I didnt even pull it when changed front differential oil on mine. I removed tire and used an extension and ratchet. I have rci transmission skid and I didn’t remove it to great propeller shaft zerk. You do need to pull the trd engine skid to grease the front propeller zerk though

 

@OP, I think most of the big names in armor have removable panels for the oil. My RCI's do, that's for sure.

 

The TRD-pro OEM aluminum plate is about the same price as something in aluminum from RCI or CBI or anyone else. But if you're ever planning to add a trans or other plates, it would probably make your life easier to stick with one brand for the full set.

My dealership has never complained about my skid plate [RCI]. They know how to take the little panel off... But one time they overtorqued it and strip the screws and I had to drill them out and replace 'em. So now I never forget to take the little oil-panel-thingy off before I take it in for service.

 

Op already purchased Lostar brand

op already purchased lostar brand

 

Reading the whole thread is for suckers!

 

I finally purchased RCI steel engine and transmission skip, plus aluminum cat guards were free. May not ever need the full protection they provide, but they should be easy to sell if I decide they are past use for me.

I already have the Fumoto and Motivx tools, so oil changes will be on me, and I can drop the plates if someone other than me needs to work on the parts currently covered (i.e., front differential).

 

I've been happy with my RCI skid plates (engine and trans) and their sliders. I think I may have cracked a weld on the alum engine skid plate, but that's the risk I took when I went with aluminum.