Skid Plate Conundrum - Enjoy and be Kind

My Dumb-Assery for the year I wanted to share:

Well I sure was proud of myself; finally going to get my newly modified stock front skid plate re-installed. Referencing other members front skid plate cutout pics, I measured several times, cutting a nice square hole in my front skid plate to access the oil filter in the future without removing it. I spent some time filing the new edges; sand blasted at work, primered, sanded, and then applied a nice coat of matte black. Even trimmed the hole with some auto door edge trim to avoid sharp edges in the future. I ordered some new mounting hardware because I only had like three screws holding it in before. Finally after about a year of it not being in place it was time to reinstall and be proud of what I accomplished. In addition, get it out of my garage! I also posted a pic or two on here showing off my handy work.

Pulled the Tundra up on ramps. I got my creeper on wheels out. Sockets needed 10 & 13mm, check. I put some grease on the new bolts and chased the threads on the fixed nuts underneath. Grabbed the skid plate to install, rolled underneath and started to lift into place. I could see the new Aluminum canister filter through the new hole; I was going to have plenty of access to it in the future. In all this excitement, something did not seem quite right, the mounting holes were not lining up as needed. I rolled out for a second sat up to look at the plate, rolled back under to find where the hooks on the plate engage the frame underneath. As I look at the skid plate again, it needed to be rotated 180, but that cannot be right. If I rotate it, the new hole will not be under the oil filter. Then it hit me, excitement turned to crap, sure enough, I had cut the access hole on the wrong side of the plate!!! BAAAAHHH!!!




New Conundrum: Not wanting to buy another skid plate; either relocate the Oil filter, which I could not find any mod to do so or cut another hole in the skid plate. I now have a multi-hole skid plate, two matching square holes cut into it; one to access the oil filter and one to let the engine breath better I guess, or possibly drain any unwanted liquids better. I could also look at it as being more balanced and lighter, sure to help with the MPG’s.

The skid plate is surprisingly still rigid, does not feel weakened at all. It should be fine for my mostly Pavement needs, maybe a dirt road on occasion. I really want it on there to fasten the front shroud to it, instead of just letting it hang.

It is silly crazy how easy it is/was to measure/mark/cut the plate on the wrong side thinking it is right.

Laugh at myself often. It's never the end of the world. I am sure there is a "Wrong Hole" joke in there somewhere..... LOL

Measure twice or more, cut once, & MAKE SURE ORIENTATION IS CORRECT FIRST!

New pic - one of a kind Tundra front Skid Plate:

 

Humility is a virtue. At least it's symmetrical now.

 

You stole the words right out of my mouth. You have a rare, genuine double opening skid plate. Never seen before. This should go for big $$$ eventually. In all seriousness ...stuff happens. I am pretty sure you can find one at a junkyard and redo it. Or just keep that one.

 

It looks like worried robot or maybe Kyle from Southpark

 

I'm up near DFW. I'd give you my skid plate since it's just taking up room in my garage. Maybe someday you'll be up this way or vice versa.

 

Wrong side or not, that's great looking work. I'd like to copy your Edge Trim idea but my 'door' doesn't have enough room/tolerance to make it work.

 

I could see myself doing that !! When I first did my oil change on my 15 Taco went under took out the the pug to drain the engine. Nope I drain the trans instead . I said to myself why is the oil BLUE
>
. Stupid stupid !! On my behalf the the trans plug and the engine plug are very close together.

 

Wow! I thought I was the only one who did stuff like that! Maybe we’re long lost brothers!

 

Sweet, now that's extra custom, bet it would go for high $$! Nothing finer than self deprecating humor... bonds one with like minded folks...

 

I just have one big hole where a skid plate should be.

 

We've all been there, done that.

 

Thanks, I had remembered seeing yours with the door, really awesome!

I am curious how long the Edge trim will last, could see it coming off, especially the horizontal piece up front. It does have some sort of sticky stuff inside, actually heated the trim with a heat gun a bit to help get the glue sticky. We will see.

 

Doh! (My Homer voice in my head). That is funny, I am sure it wasn't then. Guessing it made for a little longer day. Thanks for sharing.

 

I trimmed the wrong end of a new door once....

 

It does seem to have a robotic look about it, Transformer like...........

Or maybe a robotic Kyle, LOL

 

Needed more ventilation anyway, right? LOL

Thicker Carpet installed in previous house, front door now dragging too much. Went to trim, had to destroy a nice metal sweep on the bottom to trim. Trimmed door, then there was 1/2'" of new light coming through. Only really needed to remove the sweep.

 

Trooper 2, rsgt and Matt

Thank you Sir. I have some of the trim with glue inside on my Tundra. Used it around the tailgate and on top of the headlights. Heating it up is about all we can do. I heat it, till it gets almost "squiggly" I'm thinking it'll hold just fine, mine's been on for several years.

 

That sucks....heh...heh..

 

You could mount it on a pole and put it in the garden to scare critters away.

 

A couple Ubolts and it may turn with the wind..... Some real yard art there.

Also starting to look like a piece of erotic female body armor......

 

By that you mean you've simply removed it for good? If so any issues from running without it on the street?
Thanks,
B

 

Not really for street drivers, is conceivable that some kind of trash could end up there, possbly damaging something, mine has been out a year. on 07 there are 3 places that front shroud bolt to skid plate that end up hanging, not fastened.

 

How does that buckle work when you use the skid plate for skidding?
I would think you would shear it off

 

Done that before, hahaha. FYI, Toyota actually calls subject item "splash guard" not skid plate, because it so thin and flimsy that it cannot function as skid plate.

 

It wasn’t on there when I bought it. Didn’t notice it for a long time. I haven’t had any issues that I’m aware of.

 

So have I

 

It was a fancy door that was going in my sister's house. Boy was she real pleased....

 

Excellent!

B

 

Hook up some rock lights above the skid holes!

 

TRD Pro look to it. Thanks for sharing.
Peace. D