RCI 05+ steel skid plate install ... did the previous owner remove the OEM plate?

Have a 2022 ... used, but Toyota Certified. Ordered the plate, 1-2 weeks lead so they say. Kit claims to have only 2 40mm bolts and instruction say "use bolts from OEM radiator/engine skid after removal". Pictures included show no current radiator/engine skid and one plate that has no hole for the oil pan drain and ends just behind the oil filter housing.

Do I have just one from the factor that must be removed to fit the new (re-use these bolts), and then oil-pan-plug is exposed with the hold in the new plate?

 

It will get an oil change today so Toyota techs can also evaluate and maybe provide any missing bolts as a courtesy.

Still ... opinions/expertise is welcome from TW.

 

There should have been another OEM plate on the front. This video shows it within the first minute. 4 bolts on that plate and 2 get re-used.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hk_fTUm1xLQ

 

Yes ... I know that now. Should have before, but ...

The dealer that did the "certification" is different from the one who changed the oil. The oil-changer dealership offered to SELL me the bolt kit ...

The "certification" dealership has been contacted, and they owe me at least the bolts if not the OEM skid plate entirely. I will see how that works out.

Thanks for the video.

 

I have the sockets and ratchet and breaker bar. No torque wrench yet and need ramps or jackstands but those are standard.

Now ... the 4 bolts that that should have been on the vehicle.

 

Ya, you won't need ramps or stands. I put mine on with just a creeper. Didn't even need that but it did make it easier, ha.

 

The previous owner was kind enough (biting my tongue to preserve my dignity) to leave the plate behind the (missing) front skid. I wonder if those bolts are the correct ones for the front skid plate.

Well ... tomorrow I continue my search ... still have time for my skid plate to be made by RCI.

Thanks for the info about clearance.

 

Could stop by a u pull it and yank off a couple those bolts yourself off a recked 3rd gen.

 

The "certified" dealer owes me. I already do not have a backup skid plate. They can drop the 4 bolts into the mail to save me the 30 mile one-way drive.

 

It’s not a skid plate it’s a splash guard and it’s junk would not worry about it mine went in the trash. I have RCI skids and if you went that way you’re ahead of the game. I was just offering a way for you to get a correct size set of bolts that you know will fit without dealing with the dealership bullsh$@. Enjoy the truck love mine plus welcome

 

You won’t use the bolts from the OEM skid plate, but the bolts that hold the braces on (the curved C-Channel looking pieces in your first pic). The bolts that come with the RCI skid are for the back location. You should have all the hardware you need.

 

Just installed one on my 2005. Bought it used with no bolts. You are going to remove those 2 bars you see in your first photo. You’re going to reuse 2 of those bolts. Rci skid plate with come with 2 additional bolts with spacers for the rear.

 

Thanks for that suggestion on an alternate source. I am only about 4 hours into learning about the bolts and finally recognizing my OEM skid plate was missing. Too late in the day to get to a junk-yard or do much of anything else.

Assuming (and I have little doubt of the truth) of the advice to reuse the cross-bar bolts, I am set.

I am currently planning my self-built creeper to get underneath the car ... I like working with wood and take pride in building (desks, nightstands) that I need.

Maybe I will post the plans for this creeper, assuming anyone is interested.

 

If its certified and was missing when you bought it, the dealership should replace any missing parts.

 

No point to even asking about the splash guard. Enough outside activity done so I rewatched the video and heard "re-use the 17mm bolts from the crossarms", exactly as was said a few posts ago (twice). I do have all of the bolts I need.

Still ... how do you "re-certify" a TRD Off-Road while the skid plate is missing? Seems a bit obvious to those who know all (unlike me a couple of weeks back).

 

It’s good it came with the engine!

My “certified” 1st Gen needed some light bulbs for the instrument panel. The dealer and I made a deal- they gave me the entire set of new ones to replace all of them inside the truck if I did it myself. The OEM bulbs are expensive so it was really a break even deal for my time but I got to keep my truck for the weekend also.

Anyway, OP- I hope the premium price you paid for a “certified” vehicle is worth it in the long run, they owe you for their oversight. You should take a closeup video of the entire truck inside, outside, and underneath to document its condition in case something else is missing or wonky.

 

My guess would be that the person who had the truck before you probably put on an after market skid plate when they had it and took it back off when they traded the truck in and probably sold the skid plate.

 

That is my conclusion. But how did the certification person miss the splashguard?

My Corolla, many years ago, ran over something on the freeway (either I hit it or rapidly weave all over 3 lanes at 65 MPH to avoid it) and it took out the splash guard (not that I knew it at the time). Months later whe it was raining hard for days I discovered the accessory belt had rotted away from constant water exposure. It may be only "splash guard" and not "skid plate", but it serves a purpose I believe.

 

To be honest im not surprised they missed it. Inspection was probably done on a monday morning or friday afternoon and performed by someone who either didnt know it was missing or didnt care. Also did you not inspect the truck before you signed any paper work? It would just be good faith on the dealerships part to give you the bolts and skid plate because you sign a waiver saying you accept the vehicle in its current condition when you take ownership. Just my 2 cents, you keep blaming the dealership which they obviously are mostly to blame, but you also missed it as well. Due diligents goes both ways.

 

True. I did research as much as possible (so I thought) for this high priced investment. But always something to learn.

"Idiots never learn. Smart people learn from their own mistakes. Wise people learn from the mistakes of others."