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Skid plate really necessary?

Discussion in '2nd Gen Tundras (2007-2013)' started by bleach, Feb 18, 2020.

  1. Feb 18, 2020 at 7:28 AM
    #1
    bleach

    bleach [OP] MEME Fiend

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    I didn't put the skid plate back after pulling it to do the timing belt. I don't plan to do any off roading with the truck. It's going to be a pain to R&R it every time I change the oil and filter. I don't want to cut a hole in it just to access the oil filter like some have because I know I'll butcher it in the process. Is it fine to drive the truck without it in normal situations?
     
  2. Feb 18, 2020 at 7:30 AM
    #2
    Pinay

    Pinay New Member

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    Hazards come up on the road, whether local streets or highways. Better for prevention than have major damage.
     
  3. Feb 18, 2020 at 7:38 AM
    #3
    bleach

    bleach [OP] MEME Fiend

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    I used to drive a Benz with a very vulnerable oil pan and I never hit anything hard enough the damage it. I found a very rare skid plate for it but I never used it. I ended up selling it and made some decent profit from it.
     
  4. Feb 18, 2020 at 7:45 AM
    #4
    MistrRoboto

    MistrRoboto '17 MGM SR5 TRD CrewMax

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    I'm not saying its ideal, but mine has been off for the past 50k miles. I'm not sure why I didn't put it back on after doing a diff drop, but just... didn't.
     
  5. Feb 18, 2020 at 7:45 AM
    #5
    Zebruaj

    Zebruaj New Member

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    Do you need it? Nah. But its there for all the what if's.

    A couple extra bolts and 5 more mins of your time for each oil change. I'm ok with that. I've had worse filter locations on other cars. I'll take a skid plate any day.
     
    EBenke, Gnslngr, 15whtrd and 2 others like this.
  6. Feb 18, 2020 at 7:50 AM
    #6
    bleach

    bleach [OP] MEME Fiend

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    It was easy to remove but putting it back looks like a pain when trying to hold it up while trying to line up the bolt holes and threading the bolts back in.
     
  7. Feb 18, 2020 at 7:51 AM
    #7
    Pinay

    Pinay New Member

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    Then keep it off! :thumbsup: Problem solved!
     
    RitcheyRch likes this.
  8. Feb 18, 2020 at 7:51 AM
    #8
    Danimal86

    Danimal86 Looks clean even when its dirty!

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    Or you could get an rci skid plate that has the oil drain door
     
  9. Feb 18, 2020 at 7:53 AM
    #9
    Zebruaj

    Zebruaj New Member

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    Did someone fold the 2 hooks in the front of the skid plate?

    Just hook it into the intended holes, install bolts from rear to front. Easy peasy.
     
  10. Feb 18, 2020 at 7:53 AM
    #10
    bleach

    bleach [OP] MEME Fiend

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    Hmm, I didn't notice the hooks. It's still sitting against the wall in my garage after I took it off.
    I'm trying to get feedback if there's other 2nd gen owners leaving it off.
     
  11. Feb 18, 2020 at 7:56 AM
    #11
    Zebruaj

    Zebruaj New Member

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    Be happy you have the option to keep it off.

    Everyone now and then someone will ask if they are supposed to have a skid plate. Previous owner or lube shop "misplaced" it.
     
    bleach[OP] likes this.
  12. Feb 18, 2020 at 7:56 AM
    #12
    MistrRoboto

    MistrRoboto '17 MGM SR5 TRD CrewMax

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    The hooks make the re-install very easy. Again, I didn't reinstall mine, lol, but I should :) Maybe you have inspired me to do it tonight.
     
  13. Feb 18, 2020 at 8:01 AM
    #13
    bleach

    bleach [OP] MEME Fiend

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    I'll check out if it has the hooks and try messing with it when I come around to changing it's oil & filter. The RCI skid plate looks nice but $550 will buy some nicer accessories
     
  14. Feb 18, 2020 at 8:03 AM
    #14
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    I floor jack is your friend.
     
    D4x4TRD and bleach[QUOTED][OP] like this.
  15. Feb 18, 2020 at 8:03 AM
    #15
    snivilous

    snivilous snivspeedshop.com

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    I didn't install mine a few oil changes back. Thing was annoying and pretty flimsy too. Not like I'm going crawling all the time, it'll be fine.
     
    RitcheyRch and bleach[OP] like this.
  16. Feb 18, 2020 at 8:28 AM
    #16
    bleach

    bleach [OP] MEME Fiend

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    I looked at the plate and it does have a bunch of hooks on the leading edge. I'll see how it cleans up and then consider putting it back. I think the PO may have tried changing the filter with it on. It has a lot of oily grime on the inside.
    I do have a very good floor jack that I use on my daily driver when changing the oil.
     
  17. Feb 18, 2020 at 8:44 AM
    #17
    smokey0810

    smokey0810 New Member

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    Not sure where the 2nd gen oil filters are located, but on my ‘03, it’s in a pretty easy location to get tagged by road debris, so I leave it on.
     
    bleach[OP] likes this.
  18. Feb 18, 2020 at 8:48 AM
    #18
    bleach

    bleach [OP] MEME Fiend

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    I haven't done a visual looking straight at the truck from the front to see if the filter is visible. I can reach down to it easily from the top.
     
  19. Feb 18, 2020 at 8:58 AM
    #19
    smokey0810

    smokey0810 New Member

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    If you can reach it from the top, you’re probably good. I’ve driven many vehicles without skid plates and had no issue. I’d just keep it off, until u wanna go off roaring.
     
    bleach[OP] likes this.
  20. Feb 18, 2020 at 8:58 AM
    #20
    smokey0810

    smokey0810 New Member

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    Roading
     
    bleach[OP] likes this.
  21. Feb 18, 2020 at 9:06 AM
    #21
    bleach

    bleach [OP] MEME Fiend

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    Right. :thumbsup:
     
  22. Feb 18, 2020 at 9:13 AM
    #22
    Leo's first

    Leo's first TRUCK GANG

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    My 07 limited non TRD didn’t come with a skid plate
     
    bleach[OP] likes this.
  23. Feb 18, 2020 at 9:27 AM
    #23
    Jengel451

    Jengel451 Misanthropist

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    Stock skid plate is nothing more than decorative. It may or may not keep some dust/dirt out of the engine compartment. Your oil pan is stronger than the skid plate.
     
    Hbjeff and bleach[OP] like this.
  24. Feb 18, 2020 at 9:29 AM
    #24
    Black@Blue19

    Black@Blue19 Old Salt

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    To much to list:)
    Here in Texas I am glad I have one!! Never know what you will run up on. Here is an example. I leave plenty of room between me and the car up front!! I do this for three reasons, (1) so I do not rear ram the vehicle ahead of me!!, (2) it upsets the people behind that I am not riding someone’s bumper and down here if there is a place for some moron to squeeze it they will!!, and (3) so I can see stuff in the road!! The third happened not to long ago there was a ladder in the road an aluminum one, I saw it but I was boxed in and someone had to cut in front of me but when he tried he ran over the ladder!! I saw what was going to happen so my best bet was to step on it an hope like hell I would run over everything that got kicked up!! I made most of it, pieces went underneath but a couple were deflected up and I got it under the driver side headlight which then deflected up and over to the left everyone was then bumper to bumper doing 60 plus and the person to my left and a little behind ended up with a messed up passenger side. Underneath I did not have any damage except for a couple scuff marks on the skid plate!! YAY!!!!:). The End!! Lots of stuff on the roads in the Houston area because people do not really care about securing their loads!!!:)
     
    Last edited: May 31, 2020
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  25. Feb 18, 2020 at 9:54 AM
    #25
    equin

    equin Texarican Tundra

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    Mine came with no skid plate. I installed the aluminum TRD Pro skid plate, and shortly after a truck spit out a wooden block towards me while at highway speed. It made a very loud smack noise that I could actually feel through the floor board when it hit the skid plate. When I got home, I could see where it hit the plate. It didn’t dent it, but I wonder what sort of damage it could’ve done to the lower radiator support or oil pan had it not been there. Needless to say, I’m a believer in skid plates for vehicles with relatively higher front ground clearance.
     
  26. Feb 18, 2020 at 9:58 AM
    #26
    Rex Kramer

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    Less protection is best.
     
  27. Feb 18, 2020 at 10:11 AM
    #27
    Deuxlatch

    Deuxlatch AirBus

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    bleach[OP] likes this.
  28. Feb 18, 2020 at 10:14 AM
    #28
    The Californian

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  29. Feb 18, 2020 at 10:16 AM
    #29
    bleach

    bleach [OP] MEME Fiend

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    [​IMG]
     
  30. Feb 18, 2020 at 10:17 AM
    #30
    w666

    w666 D. None of the above

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    Funny you should mention it...I think it's important to have. I don't have one! Anyone have an OEM skid pan they want to part with? 04 AC V8, it it makes a difference.
     
    Last edited: Feb 18, 2020
    bleach[OP] and The Californian like this.

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