Leaving front skids off

[Brique]

Ok, did a quick search on this but didn't see it already brought up as a question, so here goes:

My front stock skids have been a pita lately, between taking them off repeatedly while working on them and the fact that the damn bolts were cross threaded so many times during its previous life. I don't wheel yet, so is there any danger in just leaving the damn things off indefinitely?

 

[Canuckrz]

The underpans of most vehicles are also designed to help direct air for cooling, on the supra for example has 10 degree lower operating temp on average with the underpan on vs off. This may or may not be the case for 4runners but food for thought.

 

[4x4runner2002]

watch out for road hazards, you will be leaving your radiator and other vitals open for that random piece of (insert stupid stuff) on the road.

 

[TheeMikeB]

Ok, did a quick search on this but didn't see it already brought up as a question, so here goes:

My front stock skids have been a pita lately, between taking them off repeatedly while working on them and the fact that the damn bolts were cross threaded so many times during its previous life. I don't wheel yet, so is there any danger in just leaving the damn things off indefinitely?

I had mine off for months while I was doing my build, until I put my budbuilts on. No more real danger than a passenger car with that thin plastic undershroud. A little bit of the lower side of the radiator is exposed but as long as you don't run over anything that's like 18" tall along the freeway you should be fine. I certainly wouldn't be nervous or have anxiety and lose sleep over it that's for sure.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

I removed mine and never looked back. Only three bolts were holding it on anymore.

All my other vehicles have managed to survive unscathed.

 

[TheDurk]

Mine has been off for probably three, maybe four, of the fourteen years. Never had a problem and temps are the same. I generally wait until going off-road before putting it back on once it's off. Just lazy...it's off now and won't go back until Spring.

I don't think the skidplate has a role in cooling on this vehicle. It might even be better with it off.

 

[Grenvilleter]

I just re-installed mine after changing out the transmission in Nov. and replacing the steering rack a couple of days ago.

I now feel confident when I go in to the woods and unplowed area's that snow and Ice will not rip off my vacuum lines to the front diff.