Dealer Maintenance with Aftermarket Skid Plates

[pull4adv]

Im planning to get the Full RCI Skidplate package, but I still go to the dealer for service.

Does anyone have experience with Full skids on and still go to the dealer for service?

I know you have to remove the OEM front skid to do oil changes, but will they give me trouble when trying to service my vehicle with aftermarket skids? The RCI has the access hole for the filter so I would assume they will be ok with it?

Can anyone shed some light on this?

 

[T4R_Canuck]

Im planning to get the Full RCI Skidplate package, but I still go to the dealer for service.

Does anyone have experience with Full skids on and still go to the dealer for service?

I know you have to remove the OEM front skid to do oil changes, but will they give me trouble when trying to service my vehicle with aftermarket skids? The RCI has the access hole for the filter so I would assume they will be ok with it?

Can anyone shed some light on this?

Well it's not technically a problem, but i'm sure you'll find a lot of guys who will just remove the skid plate, or at the very least the oil access door themselves before going to the dealer, just to make sure the dealer doesn't cross thread or lose a bunch of your bolts.

I'm sure experience will vary by dealership though, based on the person working on your vehicle that day. My personal level of trust for dealers is pretty low (long story), so the more work done in my own garage, the better.

 

[whododat1]

I have the same complete distrust of dealer service dept's. I do my own now and have a RCI engine skid. I can tell you at a minimum, pull it off yourself before letting them change the oil. They will never clean up like they should and they would probably get a ton of oil on the top of the skid plate. You would never know until it makes it's way onto your garage floor or driveway.
I installed the fumoto valve to make it easier but I would still not trust them.

 

[CajunMikeR]

After the freebies were done, I do all maintenance myself. I also have full RCI skids and they make it a breeze. I also have trust issues with quality of work out of most dealerships, so I prefer to do most things myself. With common sense, some patience, and just a little mechanical ability, anyone can do all the typical maintenance on their vehicles.

Granted, I am a mechanic by trade (industrial, offshore, oil & gas industry) that works on everything from small pumps to $5M turbine engines, so I'm not afraid to tear into things on a 4Runner.

 

[CutthroatSlam]

After the freebies were done, I do all maintenance myself. I also have full RCI skids and they make it a breeze. I also have trust issues with quality of work out of most dealerships, so I prefer to do most things myself. With common sense, some patience, and just a little mechanical ability, anyone can do all the typical maintenance on their vehicles.

Granted, I am a mechanic by trade (industrial, offshore, oil & gas industry) that works on everything from small pumps to $5M turbine engines, so I'm not afraid to tear into things on a 4Runner.

Same here done all the maintenance and limited repairs since the freebie oil changes and we’re closing in on 290K miles. I am a self taught mechanic and there is not much I will not work on. I would spend more time taking the vehicle to and from the dealer than it takes me to do an oil change or any other service, not to mention the time waiting for them to work on the vehicle. My work is better. I know what’s going into my vehicle. My time is valuable.

 

[Humble Leader]

just wanted to throw it out there that not every dealer is incompetent and will destroy your vehicle. for every bad dealer you find I can find you one shoddy DIY mechanic. My rig has been taken to the dealer for 10 years for oil changes and service and never a misplaced clip or damaged bolt - and yes I frequently get under my vehicle a few times a year to make sure everything looks good and check bolts for tightness here and there (I'd notice a stripped or missing bolt...)

most of the folks on this forum are advanced level DIY mechanics when compared to the average person. there's a natural aversion to dealer maintenance on this forum. An aftermarket skid plate should be no problem for a toyota dealer to service, especially if it doesn't need to come off entirely. aftermarket parts can be a grey area depending on what it is (entire suspension rebuild with aftermarket vs non oem skid plate are different)

you can always call the dealer and see what they say

 

[JAXJeremy]

I've got the RCI front skid and just finished the last of my complimentary dealer oil changes. First time I went in with the aftermarket skid I mentioned it to the service guy and he said it wasn't a problem..Never had any issues at my dealer, but I plan to do subsequent oil changes myself.

 

[lewdog998]

just wanted to throw it out there that not every dealer is incompetent and will destroy your vehicle. for every bad dealer you find I can find you one shoddy DIY mechanic. My rig has been taken to the dealer for 10 years for oil changes and service and never a misplaced clip or damaged bolt - and yes I frequently get under my vehicle a few times a year to make sure everything looks good and check bolts for tightness here and there (I'd notice a stripped or missing bolt...)

most of the folks on this forum are advanced level DIY mechanics when compared to the average person. there's a natural aversion to dealer maintenance on this forum. An aftermarket skid plate should be no problem for a toyota dealer to service, especially if it doesn't need to come off entirely. aftermarket parts can be a grey area depending on what it is (entire suspension rebuild with aftermarket vs non oem skid plate are different)

you can always call the dealer and see what they say

agreed that not all are bad.....but it think you have gotten lucky.

I have always approached dealer services (oil and lube service) with very low expectations. You must consider that the guy doing this work is the most entry level tech or (lacky) that the have (not counting sales people lol). I always check their work.....on my 4runner I have had these issues with oil service...not blaming dealer, because it is the tech that does the work.
1. Leaking filter.
1.5.... Placed spacers on the back two bolts that hold skid on, they should go in the front two. Had to show tech personally where they go.
2. missing bolt from skid plate (trd)....I asked that they replace it and they used the wrong one. I bought an OE bolt and spacer kit and did it myself.
3. installed plate without the front spacers and lost them...luckly i had the new spacer from the kit i bought last time and I fixed it.

Point is, check their work, but dont be jerk if they miss something. Make friends with your service guys. IT pays off in the end.
The last time i was in, my new TSB fox shock was defective (i was hearing a noise in the front) It was out of warranty but the dealer knew me and covered it for me on the dealer level...saved me almost a 1000 bucks. I took them a few dozen donuts the next day. I figure next time i need help they will remember that.

 

[jp.vegas]

agreed that not all are bad.....but it think you have gotten lucky.

I have always approached dealer services (oil and lube service) with very low expectations. You must consider that the guy doing this work is the most entry level tech or (lacky) that the have (not counting sales people lol). I always check their work.....on my 4runner I have had these issues with oil service...not blaming dealer, because it is the tech that does the work.
1. Leaking filter.
1.5.... Placed spacers on the back two bolts that hold skid on, they should go in the front two. Had to show tech personally where they go.
2. missing bolt from skid plate (trd)....I asked that they replace it and they used the wrong one. I bought an OE bolt and spacer kit and did it myself.
3. installed plate without the front spacers and lost them...luckly i had the new spacer from the kit i bought last time and I fixed it.

Point is, check their work, but dont be jerk if they miss something. Make friends with your service guys. IT pays off in the end.
The last time i was in, my new TSB fox shock was defective (i was hearing a noise in the front) It was out of warranty but the dealer knew me and covered it for me on the dealer level...saved me almost a 1000 bucks. I took them a few dozen donuts the next day. I figure next time i need help they will remember that.

With dealership service departments, as in all other aspects of life, relationships trump everything.

I've had good luck at my local toyota dealer since 2009 when I bought my first 4Runner there. Five vehicles later, I'm still a happy customer.

Trust but verify applies here of course.

 

[batex]

I’m just a diy kind of guy, but I know with certainty that I can change the oil myself in less time that it would take me to go to the dealer and get it done. Plus, I’m assured it’s done right. Cheaper also.

For any type of more involved maintenance or repair, I would take it to the dealer, but you can’t get much simpler than oil change.

 

[Whippersnapper02]

I just never let the dealer do my service.

 

[mbm112]

Dealers see modified vehicles all the time for various things. You wouldn't be the first person with aftermarket skids to come through.

 

[jp.vegas]

Dealers see modified vehicles all the time for various things. You wouldn't be the first person with aftermarket skids to come through.

Yep. Hell, my dealer installed my lift and recalibrated the radar sensor etc.

 

[rageandlove]

To answer the OP's original question.

1) Yes, best to remove the front skid yourself. There is a thread with a bunch of complaints about the dealer stripping bolts, etc.

2) Whether you have to remove the rest depends on the service. Oil, no, there's a hole for the drain. Things like changing diff or transfer case oil, yes. So it depends.

3) I'd apply the same logic to those other skid plates that I'd apply to the front skid. Do it yourself before taking the vehicle in so you don't have the dealer mess up something.

 

[repo]

There's only one shop in town I trust to touch my precious skid bolts (Toyo Techs), otherwise I take the skids off before I take it to the alignment shop or wherever. I also give the undercarriage a good wash out of courtesy and even wire brush and liquid wrench any annoying bolts that will be involved a couple days beforehand for them.

 

[Finslayer83]

Learn to change your own oil.

It's fun and you get to know your vehicle.

 

[pull4adv]

Thanks for all the responses!

It'll be annoying but ill probably just take it out each time

Im usually a DIY kind of guy myself but its still under warranty and its 'free' service. That way all maintenance records are all kept too.

The dealership is by my work so the courtesy shuttle is in range of the dropoff and pickup, which is nice

I guess I can clean up the undercarriage a little better while im down there lol