CarTrimHome TRD Skid install for KDSS

[Pedro367]

I got delivered today my TRD skid from CarTrimHome for my 18 TRDOR W/KDSS. Seems like there are a lot of positive/negative reviews about installing these, especially on the KDSS ones, so thought I'd make a thread on what worked for me.

I went initially off this from Trail4R for the install, but he was installing on an SR5. I like his reviews and page, but not sure why he was installing that skid on a non-KDSS version. Because of that, his install was different than what I did and you can see from the comments that people had trouble, especially with the support bars and if you can install with them. With that said, CTH is no help on the install either. It came with no instructions, no links to correct installs, which hardware/spacers to use where, etc. Delivery took a week.

https://trail4runner.com/2021/07/23/car-trim-home-trd-skid-plate-5th-gen-4runner/

The skid seems very similar to the OEM one, same thickness, color, etc. Only difference is the TRD logo which is a little smaller. Nobody would be able to tell without looking up close. Big bonus to the CTH one is the oil filter door, so looking forward to that next time I change the oil.

CTH does offer a discount code for 7% off that I got for reaching out to them on Facebook: Kingsev7.

Otherwise, it was a really straightforward install.

1: remove OE skid/plastic splash shield
2: Remove the frame supports. This is where Trail4R differs. This would not fit otherwise. But, the skid now offers that support whereas the previous one did not. I'm not super concerned without having them as a lot of the aftermarket skids/bumpers remove them.
3: Longer bolts and big spacers go on the front and shorter bolts and just a set of washers go in the back. This was another point of contention. They screw into the frame support holes, NOT the original skid holes.
4: Push in TRD logo letters

Took about 25 minutes beginning to end. Overall happy with the look, ease of install, and what quality it seems to have for a price <$250 to my door. No issues yet hitting the KDSS, but I haven't done more than a quick rip around town. The pistons seem to be spaced enough.

 

[RK1679]

Nice and accurate review. I just installed this skid on my 2022 TRD ORP. Nice fit and finish, but the real reason for buying the CTH is the oil filter access panel. The TRD pro plate on my previous 2018 did not have the access panel and the dealership rarely got it installed properly after oil changes. We'll see how this goes. Mine shipped and arrived within a week. Hardware included 2 sets of spacers. I used the longer ones up front and initially used the shorter ones in the back...nope, no spacers needed in the back.

Easy install and visibly the same quality as the TRD pro skid. Won't be long and it'll have some dings/scratches like my TRP pro skid did. Oh yeah, email CTH and he'll send you a 7% off coupon code.

 

[Axix23]

I just want to add that you don’t need to remove the black splash plastic cover to install this. Your able to tuck black splash shield and use the longer bolts provided to put it back on. Makes it for a more Oem look.

 

[Pedro367]

Nice and accurate review. I just installed this skid on my 2022 TRD ORP. Nice fit and finish, but the real reason for buying the CTH is the oil filter access panel. The TRD pro plate on my previous 2018 did not have the access panel and the dealership rarely got it installed properly after oil changes. We'll see how this goes. Mine shipped and arrived within a week. Hardware included 2 sets of spacers. I used the longer ones up front and initially used the shorter ones in the back...nope, no spacers needed in the back.

Easy install and visibly the same quality as the TRD pro skid. Won't be long and it'll have some dings/scratches like my TRP pro skid did. Oh yeah, email CTH and he'll send you a 7% off coupon code.

Good call on the discount code. I used it as well and added it to my post. Weird yours came with two sets of spacers as mine only had the one. Was yours the KDSS skid as well? The rear definitely does not need spacers. Everything lines up with the other skid. Some of the comments I read were that there wasn't enough clearance for the KDSS pistons with the spacers CTH gave installing the bolts in the way I did with the longer bolts and spacers in the front. However, I feel the spacers I did get are bigger than some of the others I saw in pics. Maybe CTH has since updated it since the earlier ones and are shipping with bigger front spacers.

I just want to add that you don’t need to remove the black splash plastic cover to install this. Your able to tuck black splash shield and use the longer bolts provided to put it back on. Makes it for a more Oem look.

Good call on that and good to know. I was going to go back and try to put that back on even if I had to trim it.

 

[RK1679]

My CTH hardware package included two 1-1/2" spacers with nylon and regular washers and bolts which I used up front. Also included were two 3/4" spacers, washers and bolts which I did not use. The longer ones seem to be fine and give plenty of clearance for the KDSS. The CTH skid also integrated nicely with the new SSO slimline steel bumper and RCI integration skid plate.

 

[2021ORP]

Has anyone tried this full flex?

Nice and accurate review. I just installed this skid on my 2022 TRD ORP. Nice fit and finish, but the real reason for buying the CTH is the oil filter access panel. The TRD pro plate on my previous 2018 did not have the access panel and the dealership rarely got it installed properly after oil changes. We'll see how this goes. Mine shipped and arrived within a week. Hardware included 2 sets of spacers. I used the longer ones up front and initially used the shorter ones in the back...nope, no spacers needed in the back.

Easy install and visibly the same quality as the TRD pro skid. Won't be long and it'll have some dings/scratches like my TRP pro skid did. Oh yeah, email CTH and he'll send you a 7% off coupon code.

I just installed this on my ‘21 ORP and it went ok but a little concerned about clearance. Has anyone put it to the test on trails to see if it clears at full droop?
Thanks in advance!

 

[raleigh76]

Thanks of the review, I've been curious about this option for mine.

 

[2021ORP]

Decided to keep it

I got delivered today my TRD skid from CarTrimHome for my 18 TRDOR W/KDSS. Seems like there are a lot of positive/negative reviews about installing these, especially on the KDSS ones, so thought I'd make a thread on what worked for me.

I went initially off this from Trail4R for the install, but he was installing on an SR5. I like his reviews and page, but not sure why he was installing that skid on a non-KDSS version. Because of that, his install was different than what I did and you can see from the comments that people had trouble, especially with the support bars and if you can install with them. With that said, CTH is no help on the install either. It came with no instructions, no links to correct installs, which hardware/spacers to use where, etc. Delivery took a week.

Car Trim Home TRD Skid Plate Review & Install For 5th Gen 4Runner

The skid seems very similar to the OEM one, same thickness, color, etc. Only difference is the TRD logo which is a little smaller. Nobody would be able to tell without looking up close. Big bonus to the CTH one is the oil filter door, so looking forward to that next time I change the oil.

CTH does offer a discount code for 7% off that I got for reaching out to them on Facebook: Kingsev7.

Otherwise, it was a really straightforward install.

1: remove OE skid/plastic splash shield
2: Remove the frame supports. This is where Trail4R differs. This would not fit otherwise. But, the skid now offers that support whereas the previous one did not. I'm not super concerned without having them as a lot of the aftermarket skids/bumpers remove them.
3: Longer bolts and big spacers go on the front and shorter bolts and just a set of washers go in the back. This was another point of contention. They screw into the frame support holes, NOT the original skid holes.
4: Push in TRD logo letters

Took about 25 minutes beginning to end. Overall happy with the look, ease of install, and what quality it seems to have for a price <$250 to my door. No issues yet hitting the KDSS, but I haven't done more than a quick rip around town. The pistons seem to be spaced enough.

I agree with Pedro367. I have KDSS. I was concerned after reading all the posts, but for my use it should be ok. I think for some who go wheeling over huge boulders and such may want to go with heavy duty steel skids. I had two reasons for buying this 1. I wanted an oil filter door and 2. I like the look of it. Additional is that I wanted aluminum for less weight. I tried to see if I could get the sway bar to touch by jacking the right side tire. I jacked the tire to where the bottom of the tire was 12” off the ground. I stopped there because I was afraid it might fall off the jack. Please see pics before jacking and after. There are 3 strike points that I see. 1. sway bar bolts. 2. Inner Rubber where KDSS Shock mounts to the bar. 3. Outermost rubber with clamp. I noticed that the outermost rubber would hit first at the raised edge of the skid plate whereas the bolt and inner rubber would eventually strike the inside tray of the Skid plate which is about 1/2” lower than the outer edge. You will note in the 2nd pic there was only about 1/4” before the outermost rubber would hit the edge of the skid plate. While not ideal, with my limited test I was not able to make it touch. Since I only plan to use my truck around town and on trails (not wheeling) I think it wii be ok. Your driving plans may be more aggressive, and if so, you may want to pass on this and get a steel plate that has better clearance.

 

[krypto89]

always put this on the mod backburner but reading through this thread was motivating me to just do it. however, just went to the site and they are coming out with a black version. i think i will wait a little longer to see what this version will look like.

 

[hoppyjr]

Installed mine - with KDSS - last Friday. Love it. I did the black one with red letters. Would do it again without reservation.

 

[Sejin]

the convenience of the oil filter access is just too good

 

[ZWChen]

Got the new Skid plate this month, matte black style with Red TRD, absolutely love it

 

[BRO6789]

That looks really sweet. I really like the red letters on the black shield. Not sure it would look as good on my white 4Runner. But I have a little time to think about it.

 

[Canchola10]

I just want to add that you don’t need to remove the black splash plastic cover to install this. Your able to tuck black splash shield and use the longer bolts provided to put it back on. Makes it for a more Oem look.

I tried to do this today and it wouldn’t line up correctly. It would rub against the letters and not properly go in.

 

[hoppyjr]

I tried to do this today and it wouldn’t line up correctly. It would rub against the letters and not properly go in.

I had the same experience as you. I plan to trim the plastic shield and give if another go when the weather improves.

 

[Pedro367]

I had the same experience as you. I plan to trim the plastic shield and give if another go when the weather improves.

Same. Had to trim it, but it looks good now.

Also did my first oil change with the skid. Love the trap door!

 

[SurfToy]

Finally got around to installing mine (KDSS) after sitting in my garage in the box for about a year. . The hardest part was offering up the plate long enough to get the front bolts started without a helper. Mine came with the spacers for the front but all four bolts were the same length, and the two for the rear are too long for the tapped bolt holes. I may either try to reuse the bolts for the frame support arms or it's off to the hardware store for some shorter replacements. I'll be checking regularly for any interference with the swaybar.

 

[mrblah]

ok this skid was cheap enough for me to buy and try.

Mine came with 4 long bolts and 2 short bolts, and I'm glad it did.

If you are running a diff drop kit, you will need to use the 2 longer bolts and source some spacers for the rear mounting holes. This is no different than the OEM toyota TRD skid plates (requiring spacers for the rear) if you are running diff drop.

 

[like2lean]

Not sure I understand why the little oil change door is such a bonus over the stock trd plate. I think it's 4 fasteners (bolts) either way and a few more pounds for the whole skid, just not a big deal to do every 6 months or so. Same for the stud mod, I guess if you're taking it off every weekend it might be little faster, it seems pretty painless to me, jmho.

 

[mrblah]

My OEM trd skidplate is feeling kind of sad now.

Might clean it up and turn it into a piece of art wall hanger.. :bolt: