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Is this skid plate aftermarket?

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Dlo_houston, Jun 16, 2025 at 7:11 PM.

  1. Jun 16, 2025 at 7:11 PM
    #1
    Dlo_houston

    Dlo_houston [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2024
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    First Name:
    Dean
    Vehicle:
    2022 Tacoma TRD Off Road Blue Crush Metallic
    none so far, just getting started!
    Trying to do my 1st transmission fluid change this past weekend on my 2022 Tacoma TRD Off Road, I have had it for about a year and finally hit the mileage marker where its time to change the transmission fluid.
    So, fully armed with the details of the procedure - measure amount of fluid that comes out, put an extra 1/2 to 1 full quart of tranny fluid back in, put the vehicle in transmission temp check mode, then open up the level check drain and close when it starts to dribble out. Got it.

    Crawled under the car and saw a skid plate cover that I didn't recall seeing in anyone else's Tacoma Trans fluid change video, but wanted to make sure it isn't some TRD Off Road option.
    If it's aftermarket, not sure why the previous owner only covered only the tranny, and left the original stock skid plates for the motor, as it doesn't appear to be that thick, but then again, neither does the stock black skid plates.

    Does anyone recognize this skid plate brand? If so can you share it so I can look up any info on it? I already noticed it has a couple of tamper proof hex bits, had to crawl under to measure them... they're not even metric, they're 7/32" hex bits (tamper proof), so I have ordered the correct size bit so I can remove it to do the trans fluid change.

    Thanks for any info if anyone recognizes this brand skid plate!

    skid_driver.jpg
    skid_passenger.jpg
    skid_tamperproof.jpg
     
  2. Jun 16, 2025 at 7:22 PM
    #2
    gudujarlson

    gudujarlson Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Minnesota
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    2020 TRD Off-Road DCSB 6MT
    Kings, Dakars, SPCs, 33's, Mobtown Sliders, TRD Skid
    That’s not the stock OR rear splash guard. It also doesn’t look like any aftermarket skid plate I’ve seen. And it also looks flimsy, but it’s hard to determine via the pic.
     
  3. Jun 16, 2025 at 7:27 PM
    #3
    BabyBilly

    BabyBilly Well-Known Member

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    2020 TRD
    Looks like a skid designed to impede someone from stealing your catalytic converters. Just pull it off to do your trans work. Appears to be 1/8" aluminum which is half the thickness of a standard aluminum skid so it's likely mainly for cat protection.

    When you get it pulled off use these bolts to replace the security button heads: (8) M8-1.25x40 Metric Class 10.9... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GUEOI4S?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

    I've had these on for a couple years with good results. Much more reliable to take on and off with a hex head instead of an Allen or similar.
     
    Willy Lump Lump likes this.
  4. Jun 16, 2025 at 7:35 PM
    #4
    LOLLY

    LOLLY Well-Known Member

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    '05 Tacoma DCLB TRD Sport (RIP) Now '21 TRD Off-Road
    It's a catalytic converter shield to prevent theft.
     
  5. Jun 16, 2025 at 9:31 PM
    #5
    Willy Lump Lump

    Willy Lump Lump Well-Known Member

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    This and that
    It looks like a cat shield to me. But the cat is perfectly visible.
     

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