JAOS Skid Plate Problems

[Noloc]

Anyone else having or had trouble fitting the JAOS Skid Plate on the 4Runner? I get every mounting point to fit except the two front screws together. I tried everything. I even tried removing all of the screws and bolts and just mounting the front two screws. They just don't line up with the holes at all. See pics.

 

[Noloc]

Pic #2

 

[Noloc]

What you see is that the right screw sits in perfectly. The left screw won't even thread in b/c there isn't enough space between the holes. That's why it's sitting at an angle.

 

[truckhigh]

i didn't have that problem. I also noticed mine was a some what an oval hole. Your gonna have to take a dremel to it and widen that hole. from side to side. I don't recomend enlarging it to a bigger hole.

 

[Noloc]

I paid a lot of money to dremel that skid plate. I'm working with Burtman to see if we can find a resolution before I resort to that solution. Thanks for the advice though.

 

[live4swell]

I just ordered this skid plate, I liked how it looked...those that have it do you like it? Seems heavy duty enough to protect the undercarriage. I hope I don't have this fitment problem.

 

[Kmvreter]

I just ordered this skid plate, I liked how it looked...those that have it do you like it? Seems heavy duty enough to protect the undercarriage. I hope I don't have this fitment problem.

Noloc (or others),
I might also be interested in this skid. Can you take a few pics of the plate from various angles/views with it not mounted on the truck? Wondering how big it is (how much coverage/protection does it give the front rad underside?)
Thanks.

 

[Noloc]

I would post some pictures of it mounted but it won't mount so the only thing I can provide you with is a description of the coverage.

Picture your stock skid plate. It essentially covers from the stock skid plate up to the front bumper mounting points. There's normally a gap between the front bumper and the radiator. This skid plate covers that gap and fits on top of the existing skid plate. When I was able to mount to most of the mounting points it looked really nice.

 

[Noloc]

I just ordered this skid plate, I liked how it looked...those that have it do you like it? Seems heavy duty enough to protect the undercarriage. I hope I don't have this fitment problem.

When you get your skid plate, let me know if you run into problems mounting it. The problem I had was with the front two mounting points. One fit and didn't allow enough space for the other to fit or even clear the hole.

 

[Kmvreter]

Picture your stock skid plate. It essentially covers from the stock skid plate up to the front bumper mounting points. There's normally a gap between the front bumper and the radiator. This skid plate covers that gap and fits on top of the existing skid plate. When I was able to mount to most of the mounting points it looked really nice.

Thanks for the info. Covering the lower rad gap is just what I'm looking to do.

 

[Falls]

Noloc ,

Anything gettting resolved with that situation ?

Would'nt mind getting that plate myself.

 

[Noloc]

So here's the situation, Burtman has been in contact with JAOS USA and they have been in contact with JAOS Japan. Here's the solution JAOS has come up with:

"They said according to their experiences, Toyota does have some tolerances on the factory front bumper and the tolerance is 4mm (less than 1/4 of an inch) and for those customer who are so lucky (or so unlucky) to have those bumpers, they need to file the holes a bit to make it perfect."

Files the holes. That's there solution !@%!@# :wtf: Based on this I'm never going to buy another JAOS product again. And for those of you thinking about it, all I can say is think twice before you decide. You may just be one of those "lucky" ones. JAOS has completely lost my business.


As a side note, this is in no way reflective of how Burtman does business. He was more than professional in dealing with the situation and even offered to take it back.

And for those of you wondering... yeah I'll file the damn hole anyway. But, that's just not the point.



:goinposta J A O S

 

[steyely]

ya, i feel you...jaos equipment is very expensive in regards to others. im sure the skid is durable and dependable, but its so expensive the first thing you are going to hop out and check everytime you hit a bump is going to be that plate. for serious off-roaders i would go with something thats less eyecandy and more replaceable if needed.