TRD Skid Plate

I'm sure there is a thread I should post this on rather than starting a new one...but WTF!

I recently ordered the TRD skid plate for my 2020 TRD OR. I bought it from a dealer for $340 out the door. I know some TW members got better deals than I did.

I'm past 70 years old and installation by myself was a little tricky. Drove the truck up on some ramps I've had forever, put a moving blanket under the truck and went for it. Removing the OEM plates was a breeze. Then I used a small stool covered with a towel to support the new skid plate for installation. Followed the instructions someone had posted on YouTube about removing the frame bolts and installation guide. I think he said there were 3 bolts to remove but there are actually 4. The TRD skid plate bolts (6)were a little tricky to get started at first as they have to be lined up perfectly. Tightened them by hand at first then with a socket drive. I have a beam torque wrench so I got as close to recommended specs as possible. I wish Toyota had simply left the TRD indention on the plate like the previous model and you could add letters or not. The new plates have red TRD raised letters that are inserted through holes in the plate. Looks good but I think they could easily be scraped off if trucking off-road. However, I recommend this accessory...not only looks good but is much more durable than the stock plates and I like the removable filter access door.

 

After doing my first oil change I can see where one of the TRD skid plates is helpful with the access port for the oil filter. I personally don't care if the plate was solid black with no TRD written on it at all. I was thinking of cutting out a bit of the existing plate to make my own oil filter access. I may see if there is anything else available first.

 

Damn, I'm only 67 and can't remember the last time I was up a 3:52 in the freaking morning!!

G.

 

My skid is coming in on Monday!

 

Pictures? Looking at putting the pro plate on but up in canada it’s double the price.

 

I know it's late since you already purchased, but you can still get the skid plate without the red lettering. Just be nice to a knowledgeable parts dept. guy and he'll search dead-stock for you. That is what I did about 2 months ago for my 2019 OR. There were 26 dead-stock left California, so he had one come in from S.F. and it arrived in Manhattan Beach in two days. Tried my selling dealer first, but they were idiots.

 

Wished I had known this... Oh well, the red letters look good and I don't plan to "off-road" so they will be fine. You can remove the letters but the holes would still be there. I assume the bolt pattern on the 2020 OR is the same for the 2019 OR. Hopefully some others will read this before they order one if they don't like the raised letters. Thanks for the info...

It was only 2:52 CST here

 

There are other brands on the market that fit the Tacoma and are in black and have access covers. I'm afraid if you cut out a panel in the stock plates it would weaken them almost to a point of uselessness (is that even a word?)

 

The bolt pattern for how the plate attaches to the truck won't be any different than before.