BudBuilt TE skids and sliders
- Thread starter Intruder
- Start date
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Congratulations! Well .. almost since your diff skid is still AWOL.
Same with my BudBuilt skid plate order .. all I received were installation instructions for the FJC. For the most part, the FJC installation instructions will translate directly to the 4Runner. I did do a bit of headscratching regarding the big spacer plates that are supposed to sit sandwiched between the cross member and the transmission skid. First I thought they were missing, then I discovered that they were packaged with my fuel tank skid plate. Also, I couldn't initially determine from the instructions if the fuel tank skid plate brackets were supposed to sit inside the skid plate or outside. Bud's son was good enough to send me some additional pictures which might make the installation more self-evident. Send me a PM if you'd like me to send them to you.
harper7
Senior Member
For the skids......mine were the first ones on a 5th and they are 2010 FJ skid plates except the gas tank skid was from a 4th Gen. They are almost exactly the same as they use the but he had to modify a couple things here and there to fit. The crossmember was a little different as our frames have doublers in the middle.Should be the same to install as the FJ.
skid tip......put them on rear to front as that's the way they overlap. Just put all the bolts in loosely until you get them all started and then tighten them up.
Intruder
New member
This is a relief to know. All my hardware bags have "FJ" written on them and crossed out and "4Runner" added on. I was starting to get worried that I'd gotten the wrong pallet and hence the missing diff skid.
Good to know. Is it easier if the skids go on before the sliders or vice versa?
harper7
Senior Member
Not sure as I already had my SW sliders on already when Bud put them on the first time.
Just to clarify as my tip statement sounds confusing even to me.lol
The front one overlaps over the second one and the second over the third and so on back to the gas tank skid so they can't catch on rocks. But when you put them on you put the gas tank one on first and work forward. You should be obvious to you when you get under there. I used a floor jack and balanced them on it and jacked them up into place and started the bolts.
Another thing,the aft inboard carriage bolt ,in the gas tank skid that attaches to the bracket needs to point outward ......or else the driveshaft flange will hit it when the rear is flexed at an angle. Don't ask me how I know!lol Makes a awful grinding sound!
STLDAVE
Member
Just to clarify...When you say the carriage bolt "needs to point outward" do you mean outward from the center of the skid, or outward from the center of the truck? I haven't had a problem yet, but want to make sure I don't in the future either.
Intruder
New member
It seems like the fuel tank brackets would have to sit inside the skid otherwise you wouldn't be able to tighten the nuts after you mount it. The problem I ran into is that it seems the brackets are too short. The skid is right up against the gas tank but there's two inches left for the brackets to reach.
453030
New member
Hmmm.... Bud either sent the wrong pieces or you have them in the wrong spots. They are all different sizes if I recall, and mine fit perfectly. I reversed the outboard support by the rear tire to pull the hole skid that direction as I still had the driveshaft problem despite mounting that other support in the best manner.
Maybe this picture helps sort things out ...
The brackets do indeed need to bolted up so they sit inside the lip of the fuel tank skid plate.
I dunno why your fuel tank skid plate brackets are sitting 2 inches short of where they bolt up to the truck. At the risk of asking the obvious, are the fuel tank straps holding the fuel tank up properly? Did you need to detach the forward fuel tank strap in order to bolt up your BudBuilt sliders?
The brackets do indeed need to bolted up so they sit inside the lip of the fuel tank skid plate.
I dunno why your fuel tank skid plate brackets are sitting 2 inches short of where they bolt up to the truck. At the risk of asking the obvious, are the fuel tank straps holding the fuel tank up properly? Did you need to detach the forward fuel tank strap in order to bolt up your BudBuilt sliders?
Intruder
New member
Yeah, that's exactly how mine is set up. Didn't need to touch the straps at all to install the sliders - only needed to remove the oem gas tank skid. I did find a post on an FJ forum where someone was having a similar issue and he said Bud told him to make sure the gas tank was closer to empty before putting the skid on. Mine is over 3/4 full, so that may have something to do with it.
Intruder
New member
Finally managed to get the gas tank skid on. Just took a floor jack to get it in place properly.
I think he meant like this...
I think he meant like this...
453030
New member
Here is how I did the outboard side of the gas tank. It really pulled it away from the driveshaft. As Harper7 said, it makes a horrific sound if it scrapes. Even with my bolt installed on the other side the way you show Marc, it still barely scraped making hard uphill right turns (like into a parking lot). I did install my supports on the inside of the skid flange for extra bearing strength.
453030
New member
It is (rear gas skid support near back tire). I installed it backwards from the way it was meant to go in. It took a little effort to get at the upper bolt but it was worth it as it pulls the skid away from the driveshaft. Mine on the DS side is just like yours, aside from putting the support inside of that flange.
Sounds like we all had to do a little adjusting with these, but all in all I think Bud has a superb, well fitting product. I am very glad to have them.
Intruder
New member
After finishing the install last night I'll add just one thing to your suggestion - put on the crossmember before the gas tank skid. It isn't vital, but it makes things easier.
