What are these on Frame?

I was working on my ‘17 yesterday & noticed these black plastic inserts up by the cats where the frame is boxed on both sides.

They don’t appear to be doing anything. I know Taco frames have a tendency to rot from the inside out in these areas and was wondering if these are doing more harm than good?

Would the frame drain, flush, & breathe better if these were removed or are they helping to block water and debris from getting up into the boxed sections of the frame?

 

You can snake some wiring, hose, cable, or whatever you want through the frame.

 

Can't imagine plugging a hole would help anything drain, flush or breathe better.

I'd leave it alone in case you wanted to do what is stated above.

 

10-4. Wasn’t really thinking about plugging it, but rather removing them all together.

 

Added on 3rd Gen to help keep mud and crap out of the boxed section of the frame, along with those flat plastic inserts you find snapped over holes in the frame. They are frame rust mitigation bandaids.

 

10-4. Makes sense. They just seem like, over time, they’d have the potential to actually trap accumulated dirt and moisture. That’s why I had initially entertained the thought of removing them. However, smarter guys than me designed them, so I guess I’ll let them alone.

 

2017? That is clean!

 

Thanks! I had done some frame painting yesterday, that’s why it looks like that.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/painting-undercarriage-avoiding-overspray-on-body.774580/

 

Dealership installed those a couple years back for rust prevention. It was a service bulletin I believe