How Critical is this Part? (Splash Shield)

[Unner]

Alright, I've got a fairly simple question. How important is that plastic fibery cover thing that goes under the fuel filter and fuel lines under the driver side seat? It mounts to the frame with three bolts. Is it just a splash shield, or what is it?

When I got the truck it had a crack in it and was missing a chunk. It got stuck on a branch or something one day out wheeling and it tore the rest of the way through. I went and patched it back together using some zip ties and it seemed really solid. That was until I went snow wheeling here the other day and it broke again. The zip ties weren't the weak spot, it actually tore in another new place... The entire thing had snow and ice packed on top of it between it and the fuel filter. I pulled it off for the time being. I will try and find an undamaged one in a junkyard, but there aren't many 3rd gens in yards near me.

Anyone running without there's? Any issues if I run without mine?

Thanks in advance!

 

[awpsome]

Not that critical.
Actually pre 99s did not have this plastic shield guard thing.
So technically it can still run without it.

I forget what its purpose was, there is a purpose for it though.

 

[4x4runner2002]

mine broke a long time ago and i never put one on. ive been through some pretty good stuff and never any problems.

 

[Brique]

I assume it's to protect your fuel line and filter from road debris. If i lost mine i wouldn't panic but I'd definitely be keeping an eye on the pull it yards for a replacement.

 

[Unner]

Not that critical.
Actually pre 99s did not have this plastic shield guard thing.
So technically it can still run without it.

I forget what its purpose was, there is a purpose for it though.

Alright, that's good to here. There is a small oval shaped hole in it that is labeled Jack Up Point or something along those lines.

mine broke a long time ago and i never put one on. ive been through some pretty good stuff and never any problems.

That's also good to hear. I figure it is OK to run without it, I don't do anything too crazy with mine either since it is still mostly stock.

I assume it's to protect your fuel line and filter from road debris. If i lost mine i wouldn't panic but I'd definitely be keeping an eye on the pull it yards for a replacement.

Yeah, I plan to keep an eye out for one. I don't want to pay a whole bunch for a new one either because of the chance it gets ripped off again... That's the only thing that I could figure it would be for. That's really the only thing over there is the fuel filter and fuel lines.

 

[repo]

Toyota calls it a transmission cover. Maybe its supposed to keep crud off the shifter linkage and electric connectors.

 

[Unner]

Toyota calls it a transmission cover. Maybe its supposed to keep crud off the shifter linkage and electric connectors.

This actually makes sense. I was having an issue while I was out in the deeper snow, ~9", with it getting packed up around the shift linkage and causing it to get stuck in drive where I couldn't go forward with the shifter without really working it back and forth breaking my way through the snow/ice that had gotten up there.