Lost some plating under the engine

[sundaydriver33]

Hi I own a 97 Limited with rear locking differential. I was 4 wheeling in the Tahoe National Forest this past weekend. I ended up getting stuck in some pretty thick and deep mud at Stampede Reservoir. Very deciving looking terrain, it looked dry but was anything but. It took me 5 hours to dig and move the 4 runner out but I was successful. The front end was buried up to the control arms, just shy of the axels. While I was digging her out I noticed that the plating under the engine had bent forward and it was hanging me up once I got to the drier terrain. I bent it back once out of the danger of getting stuck again. But by the time I got back to camp the plating had fallen off. I've owned this vehicle for 2 years and this was the most I've ever tested the 4WD system. I don't know a lot about the 4 Runners but I love this car and wanted to know what I lost and if it is a crucial part of the car. And if anyone knows, an estimate of the cost to replace the missing plating. Thanks for any and all help.

 

[Good Times]

Sounds like you lost your a section of your skid plate.

It'll help all of us greatly if you take some photos of the underside so we can evaluate it better.

Thanks!

Hi I own a 97 Limited with rear locking differential. I was 4 wheeling in the Tahoe National Forest this past weekend. I ended up getting stuck in some pretty thick and deep mud at Stampede Reservoir. Very deciving looking terrain, it looked dry but was anything but. It took me 5 hours to dig and move the 4 runner out but I was successful. The front end was buried up to the control arms, just shy of the axels. While I was digging her out I noticed that the plating under the engine had bent forward and it was hanging me up once I got to the drier terrain. I bent it back once out of the danger of getting stuck again. But by the time I got back to camp the plating had fallen off. I've owned this vehicle for 2 years and this was the most I've ever tested the 4WD system. I don't know a lot about the 4 Runners but I love this car and wanted to know what I lost and if it is a crucial part of the car. And if anyone knows, an estimate of the cost to replace the missing plating. Thanks for any and all help.

 

[sundaydriver33]

here is one

 

[sundaydriver33]

another

 

[sundaydriver33]

last one

 

[Thai]

Goodtimes et al can correct me...but i do believe the 3rd gen 4runner had a 2-piece skidplate in the front. The front part and then the rear part to cover the oil draining plug. Looks like you lost the rear part (flat thinner plate). Your best bet is to go to Toyota dealership and ask for the price of the front skidplate for the 3rd gen 4runner. You will probably have to buy both parts as they come together.

It's not critical part of your 4runner...but i would replace it before next off-roading trip.

Other options: aftermarket vendors and junkyard. The aftermarket plates tend to be thicker and of higher grade steel. You may want to look at this since you're taking your rig off-road.

Hopefully, Goodtimes et al. can give you some links to aftermarket vendors.

Good luck.

 

[Good Times]

If you don't plan to do any serious offroading, the stock skids will work fine. Look at some junkyard for replacements as you really don't want to hit the dealer as they'll probably charge you some insane price like $1000.00 for it (seriously!)

There are a few aftermarket skid plates floating but none are in production that I know of. You'll either want to have some offroad shop make you one from scratch (usually ends up being around a few hundred bucks) or can find a used one somehow on the classifieds either on here, yotatech or any other toyota offroad forum.

Sorry I can't be of more help but I'd say for the cheapest route, hit the junkyards since I know there's plenty of 3rd gens out there.

Good luck!

 

[sundaydriver33]

Thanks!

 

[RunnerUp]

Hey, I did the same thing to my Toyota 4Runner about a year ago, ripped the big front skid plate right off and had already dented the rest, so I went to a buddy of mine and had him build me some custom skid plates, he could prob. fab up another set from mine, or I could send you some info on them, they are 3/16" of steel and ribbed, got them all the way back for 300$ Since then I have dropped my truck HARD on rocks and hit plenty of stumps with them and they are BULLETPROOF. I never even considered replacing them with stock toyota parts, not strong enough for what I need, and looking like not strong enough for what your starting to need. Let me know if you want some pictures of what they look like!