What is this thing?

Hey guys,

First post here and I'll upload a pic of my taco soon. I'm stealing a picture I found on the Cali Raised cat shield thread. Can somebody help me understand what this plastic piece is all about? I came across this piece when I inspected my cat and noticed that it looked broken and can be easily removed. It does not appear to have any functional value whatsoever. If not obvious, it's located near the catalytic converter area.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

 

No idea. I took those out when I was under my truck installing my cat shields.

 

They’re supposed to help seal the holes in the frame to prevent water/salt/debris from getting in there and rusting it out. Toyota’s cheap way to get around 30 years of frame rot rather than building it out of properly treated metal.

 

It covers holes so water can drip out but also stops stuff from spraying in. It's to help the frame not rust.... (as fast)

 

Crap posted at the same time.

 

Both responses makes the explanation unanimous.

I find it weird that the part doesn't seem to have a firm fit and it's rough edges makes it seem that something broke. Nevertheless, I'll leave them 'as is'.

Thanks!

 

Yep they were added for a TSB on my 2016 and standard after 2018? 2019?
PS: Welcome to TW
2 things , the more you read the more you will think you bought a junk pile, and the more you will find to spend on the truck..

 

Thanks for the warm welcome and the credit card is already up and running. I ordered a cat shield with a bed mat and bed cover being next. I'm sure there will be more ...

 

They are located in the same spot that you lift the truck from so they usually get crushed and broken like yours. I ripped mine out when I found them broken - the way they are shaped doesn’t allow easy removal. I can see Toyotas thought by adding them, but if they are broken and collapsed like that I fear they have the potential to clog the hole and do more hard them good.

 

I snapped off one of those using a jack to do tire rotations long ago. Happened to my '09, '21, and current '22...

 

I’ve been told (by a Toyota tech on this forum) those are put there to indicate if the truck has been put on a lift.

 

Everyone always crushes them, but per Toyota lift instructions it specifically says to avoid them when placing on a lift. They're referred to in this doc as the resin components.

 

did you lose your gun in a boating accident too? It happens.

 

Most of them in the Potomac somewhere...

 

Are you able to enlighten us as to the specific purpose of them?

 

It's just a plug for the frame, its a poor design and I've seen them broken when the truck is new.

We replaced them during frame replacement and frame sprays.