A couple notes made during first oil change: 5th Gen 4 Runner TRD Off Road premium

[Ruby Khan]

Hi,
I found lots of info about changing the oil on the 5th gen 4 Runner and appreciated all the good info.

The oil filter assembly and the filter drain were new to me so it was good to have some info available before I started.

At first glance, with my old-timey vision and the black-on-black color scheme, I was not sure what bolts to unscrew to remove the skid plate. I also fumbled when it was time to slide the skid plate forward and off. I got hung up on the hooks and could not see the hangup until I removed the small air dam completely. Then it worked out fine.

I made these pictures to remind me of these details the next time I change the oil. I am posting the pictures here in case they may be helpful to some other 4 Runner first-timers.

Thank you.

 

[kenwilliams0803]

Before I put an RCI skid on, I simplified that skid plate removal by grinding the ends of the tongues off of it the first time I changed the oil. It came down and went back on much easier after that.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

 

[Golfpilot]

In some howto thread i had once read about the metal pin on the oil filter. it should indicate the correct position for tightening the filter case. Provided one remembers the position before loosening.
Correct me if I'm wrong.

Yes, here it is:https://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/119040-metal-indicator-tab-plastic-oil-filter-housing;.html#post1109369

Greetings from switzerland
soon a 2019 4 runner will be mine :thumb3:

 

[Ruby Khan]

Before I put an RCI skid on, I simplified that skid plate removal by grinding the ends of the tongues off of it the first time I changed the oil. It came down and went back on much easier after that.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Thanks. I too was thinking about the possibility of grinding back the horns a bit. Now that I have a better understanding of what the hooks look like I am curious to learn if I will develop a technique for pulling them off efficiently or if I will eventually grind them.

Thank you.

 

[djeepin]

those hooks designed that way so the skid will hang on them if shop/dealership changing oil lifting 4Runner and skid will not fall down. They don't design them to change oil on driveway require complete removal of skid that's the difference

 

[Ruby Khan]

Hi,
That makes sense. If the 4 Runner was on a lift and you were standing under it the plate could rotate far enough down to stay out of the way during the filter change.
Thank you.

 

[DougR]

Thanks. I too was thinking about the possibility of grinding back the horns a bit. Now that I have a better understanding of what the hooks look like I am curious to learn if I will develop a technique for pulling them off efficiently or if I will eventually grind them. Thank you.

Grinding is permanent. I bent the "tongue" about 45 degrees to make it easier to remove/install the skid plate with the front wheels on a 7.5 inch solid wood ramp.

 

[02SE]

I have a 2-post lift. The first time I changed the oil on my TRD ORP, I had another vehicle on the lift for some mods, so I did the first oil change with the 4Runner just parked on the concrete in another garage bay. Not on ramps or jacked up at all.

I had no trouble taking the skid plate off with the tabs in question unmodified, and reinstalling was not an issue either. Subsequent oil changes have been no problem either.

I fail to see the need for modifying the skid plate tabs.

 

[Ruby Khan]

Yes,
I think getting a chance to see and understand what the tabs look like, and how they work, makes it a lot easier to use them as they were intended.

Thank you.