Cutting hole in Skid Plate

Anyone done this on the OEM to allow access to oil drain bolt?

Tips? Angle grinder or hole saw?

It would be great to see a photo esp. with where you did the cut.

Thanks.

 

A step bit is what I would start with personally. I haven't done this on my truck FYI

 

I’d get a Fumoto valve with the long nipple if it clears your plate. Use a step bit just wide enough for a small hose and maybe pliers to open the valve. Otherwise you have three 10mm bolts and 5, 13mm bolts and you’ll need an extension.

 

Now that right there is a winner.

I prefer my Votex unit. Lower profile. Drains faster.

 

The drain plug isn't covered up with the factory skid plate is it? The oil filter is but I don't pull my skid plate to drain the oil.

 

It is not. I do not remove my skid plate for oil changes. Drain bolt is easily accessible. Filter can be removed and replaced from the top. I place a piece of coated cardboard (oil or air filter box works great) under the oil filter to direct the oil out the back of the skid place.

 

I never even thought about trying to get to the filter from the top. I will try that next time.

 

Removing that skid plate is not difficult. It's 5 bolts. Takes all of about 30 seconds with my Milwaukee 18V impact. It's not even that heavy once the bolts are out. I don't like all the oil that gets in it when you try to change the filter from the top. Doesn't matter if you throw rags, pigmat, or are very fast. You're still going to get oil in there.

 

Hmmm... How have I never noticed this??

 

If I can save a few minutes, it is worth it to me.

 

Could you please send a link to that part?

 

To each their own….Given it’s every 5k miles for my schedule, I choose to take off skid plate. Gives me chance to check other things and take a little of the old oil on a rag and wipe the frame I can get to. Plus it gives me time while under there to work on a plan of how to get this ole body up.

 

Ahh... You're one of those guys who doesn't even let the last drops come out of the quart. Git 'er dun!
I prefer to have the skid plate off to: A) Keep it clean. B) Have the ability to inspect all of the other things hidden by the skid plate and marvel at the beauty of the underside of the 2UZ-FE.
I've caught plenty of problems on vehicles over the years by spending an extra few minutes.

 

Yup, too many other things to take care of.

 

I'm backwards. I leave my skid off, unless I'll be out doing something that may put my goods at risk. I think of the skid as an atheltic supporter. If you don't want to get cracked in the nads, you wear it. But nobody in their right mind would walk around with a jock strap to, say, the grocery store or movies. The damn things are uncomfortable af.

Maybe that's why I get shit gas mileage, even on the interstate. But I can't imagine that skid plate provides that much relief from wind resistance.

 

Not sure on the 1GT, but on my 4Runner I drove around a while without the stock skids while I was waiting for my RCI skids to show up. There was a noticeable 2-3 MPG decrease without the skids. Negated that when I installed the RCI skids. Now, I understand the 4Runner is like a brick on wheels, but there might be something to the aerodynamics of the skid plate on the 1GT.

 

Well shit. I guess I need to clean mine out and bolt it back on this weekend, I gotta do a job 2hrs north of ATL, on the other side of Cleveland next week. It'll take the better part of a tank of gas to get there and back. I'm skeptical, but that would also explain why the fuck everyone else around here with similar lift/config gets 1-3 mpg better than me. I didn't see much change in mileage when I took it off. But I was doing mostly city driving back then.

 

Amen to that. While the oil is draining I take my light under the truck and inspect for anything amiss. Been doing that way for 25 years now. As soon as my OEM filters arrive I'll be doing it again. No fuss.

 

I think i need a ball valve type. The drain hole in my skidrow plate is just a bit too smallto fit my hand through. I dont think i could reach this.

 

It's amazing what some of our country bumpkins wear into our Wal Mart worse than jock straps

 

That is very Clean,

 

The 2.5Gen guys do this to access the cartridge filter housing.

 

I might cut the wing off the driver side portion to get to the filter. I want the skid on there to protect the rad

 

I put a Fumoto valve on my 3.4, and the filter is accessible from the topside so I don't even jack the truck up to do oil changes.

 

^^^^this right here! My brother in law never bothered to reinstall the skid plate after he did his oil changes. A large tree branch ended up piercing his radiator.

 

It takes like MAYBE 90 seconds to undo the 5 bolts for the skid plate with a cordless ratchet. Lets say another generous 90 to move it out the way. Reverse to reinstall. So o maybe, six minutes every 3k-5k miies.

BTW, I did actually did an oil change just today. Yes, it was an extra step. Not exactly time consuming or difficult.

Removing that skid plate helps you see more. For example. leaks you may not see as it's all caught and hiden by the skid plate. If you're trying to shave 6 minutes off an oil change, I really don't know that I'd want to ride in a vehicle you have wrenched on. Never mind how many oil changes it would take to get that the time back spent 'fixing' the problem.

ETA - I also did not jack the vehicle when I did the oil change, it remained tires on the ground, and I am a 'husky' chap.

 

Added bonus: If you remove/replace the skid plate a couple of times per year then you don't have to use a drill/tap to do it. It doesn't take long for those bolts to rust in place.

 

Yep, that's my method as well. But I also have time that others may not so to each his own. I like being able to see the ender side of my engine and transfer. Along with axles/CV joints, hoses etc. It's always been fine but ...... doesn't hurt to check.

 

Actually, you bring up a good point. I don't have to struggle with rust where I am, so perhaps it's a little unfair of me to say 'it just takes 90 seconds' when I'm driving a truck that spent it's entire life in the Houston area. But you also bring up the point that removing and replacing those bolts helps prevent them rusting in place.