First 5th gen oil change - semi rant...

[Nuke]

C'mon, man!

Toyota, you screwed up. Yeah, when doing oil changes on both my '90 4Runner (2nd gen) and my '00 4Runner (3rd gen), you had to remove the skid plate to get to the oil filter which was a real PITA. Then you wised up on my '08 4Runner (4th gen) and put the filter up high on the drivers side; easy peasy. I go to do my first oil change on my '19 4runner (5th gen) and not only am I removing the skid plate but there's another plastic facade piece that has to come off, too. That's nine bolts plus a push pin just to put your hands on the filter housing. Oh, and this new style filter housing with the o-rings and plastic drain piece (never had to drain an oil housing in addition to a drain pain before). You folks are smokin' something...

Yeah, I know that my Toyota Care offers x number of free oil changes and other minor things but I've been doing my own for over 40 years and between some horror stories I've read about ALL shops phukin' up AND me not wanting to sit in a waiting area with Coronavirus patients, I'll do this myself.

Rant over. I got some wrench time on my new truck and I stayed out of my wife's hair for 2 hours so it's all good...

 

[Dillusion]

I'd be more thankful that they are protecting it.

 

[Ogre75]

I agree with the OP... stupid design. They should have put in a removable window on the factory skid to get to it, then just design for a horizontal spin on filter.

 

[mcat707]

I agree with the OP... stupid design. They should have put in a removable window on the factory skid to get to it, then just design for a horizontal spin on filter.

Any aftermarket skid plates that have a removable window for the oil filter? If not, here is something that someone or some company can come up with.

 

[LandCruiser]

Any aftermarket skid plates that have a removable window for the oil filter? If not, here is something that someone or some company can come up with.

Window is an inherent weakness. I think it's a dumb idea if your skids are actually used to skid over things.

 

[Blazephantom]

Any aftermarket skid plates that have a removable window for the oil filter? If not, here is something that someone or some company can come up with.

RCI makes one with hatches for oil changes.

Engine Skid Plate | 10-Present 4Runner – RCI Off Road

 

[08TxRunner]

Toyota had to relocate it due to the dual VVT. Compare the pre and post dual VVT engines and you'll see why it had to be moved.

 

[mcat707]

RCI makes one with hatches for oil changes.

Engine Skid Plate | 10-Present 4Runner – RCI Off Road

Nice, never really looked into other skid plate options, but I’ll keep this one in mind.

 

[BobsTrail]

It's a pain, but I got used to it after 7 years with my old 2013 TE. I take my time and deal with it.
At least we don't have to hit a bunch of grease fittings. My other ride has 11 grease points and are a pain to reach but the oil change is easy.

 

[RockyM]

Nice, never really looked into other skid plate options, but I’ll keep this one in mind.

I got the RCI aluminum skid plate mainly for the ease of oil change, and I'm ok with that. I may need the skid plate in the near future for more skid-plate-like reasons, but in the mean time it makes my oil swaps much easier. :guitar3:

 

[Dynamo]

It's a bit of a PITA to remove the plastic facade and skid plate but having a Dewalt 20V 3/8" impact makes it much easier. One of the best tools I've ever had.

 

[mcat707]

It's a bit of a PITA to remove the plastic facade and skid plate but having a Dewalt 20V 3/8" impact makes it much easier. One of the best tools I've ever had.

I use a Milwaukee cordless 3/8 ratchet when I do my oil changes. The TRD Pro skid plate is fairly lightweight but without a car lift and my aching aging body, it’s a chore to lift it up and bolt it back up while laying on the ground.

 

[JLTD]

Yeah it's a PITA for sure...but as stated you get used to it. I'm doing mine once a year or so with a high quality filter made to go the distance.

Don't forget the anti-seize on the bolts when you put it back together....

 

[HanginInUtah]

Rant over. I got some wrench time on my new truck and I stayed out of my wife's hair for 2 hours so it's all good...

I've enjoyed doing my own services, and really don't mind it so much after the first one. I use a couple of ramps to get some room. I coated the skid plate bolts with antiseize to keep them working good. I got rid of the plastic push button on the front plastic piece. I use a 1/4" DeWalt 12V gun to zip everything off, and snug back on. Added a Fumoto drain for the oil, which will take a bit longer to drain out but is much nicer than dealing with an oil drain plug. And I also have the socket and drain tool for the filter housing off Amazon from MotiveX. The drain tool threads right up in so you can drain out the oil without making a bigger mess using the plastic tool.

Yes, it's more than a quick job. But I don't mind the time spent pampering my ride, and solitude in the garage :eyebrows:

 

[Ogre75]

Any aftermarket skid plates that have a removable window for the oil filter? If not, here is something that someone or some company can come up with.

yes, several.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

This is my biggest pet peeve about the 5th gen. I owned 2 x 4th gens and got very used to removing the filter at the top of the engine bay and simply screwing on the new one. I bought an RCI skid just so I can unscrew the door to make oil changes easier. I did have bad experiences with the "Toyota doesn't care" service so I will never be going back. Otherwise I love my truck so it is what it is

 

[Generalisimo]

First of all Nuke you are correct, it’s a PIA! For the rest of you excuse makers, a crappy design is what it is! An aftermarket skid plate at your cost is not an answer to an engineering design flaw!
Subaru as an example, put the oil filter topside of the engine, easily accessible and replaced. Same with my Ford truck.
I’m not exactly sure why these excuses for design flaws keep coming up other than an inability to deal with reality, I.e. truth. Or maybe it’s shrunken nuts.

 

[JLTD]

First of all Nuke you are correct, it’s a PIA! For the rest of you excuse makers, a crappy design is what it is! An aftermarket skid plate at your cost is not an answer to an engineering design flaw!
Subaru as an example, put the oil filter topside of the engine, easily accessible and replaced. Same with my Ford truck.
I’m not exactly sure why these excuses for design flaws keep coming up other than an inability to deal with reality, I.e. truth. Or maybe it’s shrunken nuts.

I think it's just that the engine is designed to fit in a certain area, and that's all the parameters...seen it in several other vehicles on other forums, oil changes are a pain due to filter placement, clearance, or the required removal of parts prior to gaining access.

I must say that even though removing the skid plate first isn't the best plan, that access is SUPER easy once it is removed.

 

[AMLOR]

First of all Nuke you are correct, it’s a PIA! For the rest of you excuse makers, a crappy design is what it is! An aftermarket skid plate at your cost is not an answer to an engineering design flaw!
Subaru as an example, put the oil filter topside of the engine, easily accessible and replaced. Same with my Ford truck.
I’m not exactly sure why these excuses for design flaws keep coming up other than an inability to deal with reality, I.e. truth. Or maybe it’s shrunken nuts.

Ok...maybe not a design "flaw", but it is badly located, and for a cartridge filter housing, insanely over engineered. Your Subaru example is perfect or look under the hood of a Mercedes V12. Cartridge filter in the "V" right on top. less than a minute to replace.
What we need is a 90 degree spin on adapter to replace the multi piece/step cartridge housing....

 

[EZBR.]

I've done about 5 oil changes now on my runner... i HATED it the first couple times... but you get used to it and learn all the tips and tricks from experience. It's no big deal now. I don't mind it.