limamike
New member
Buy some Shrockworks skids and all you have to do is unscrew four hex screws to remove a small panel for full access to the oil filter.
Oil Change 5th Gen: How To- LOTS of PICS!
- Thread starter Antman
- Start date
Buy some Shrockworks skids and all you have to do is unscrew four hex screws to remove a small panel for full access to the oil filter.
Blacksunshyne
New member
Buy some Shrockworks skids and all you have to do is unscrew four hex screws to remove a small panel for full access to the oil filter.
Too heavy for my needs, but they turn out some good looking stuff.
For anyone that's intrested , I installed a magnetic drain plug at my second oil change at the 10000 km mark 11 months ago . I just changed the oil again today with 17000 km on it . I was surprised how much sludge was on it. Wish I had put it in at my first oil change at 5000 KM. I will post some pics
Thanks, Antman
Best oil change, yet, on my 2010 4Runner (about the 6th), thanks to your suggestion to cut away the "hooks" on the steel panel covering the filter assembly before reinstalling. You were quite right about loving you for the suggestion. I also finally found a solidly-made 14 flute filter wrench that doesn't slip -- CTA model 2485 (from Amazon). Finally was able to do it all in under 2 hours!
Having learned most of the rest of your step-by-step the hard way (several rueful chuckles as I read through it), I heartily recommend your writeup to anyone tackling a Toyota equipped with this maintenance hostile engine.
Best oil change, yet, on my 2010 4Runner (about the 6th), thanks to your suggestion to cut away the "hooks" on the steel panel covering the filter assembly before reinstalling. You were quite right about loving you for the suggestion. I also finally found a solidly-made 14 flute filter wrench that doesn't slip -- CTA model 2485 (from Amazon). Finally was able to do it all in under 2 hours!
Having learned most of the rest of your step-by-step the hard way (several rueful chuckles as I read through it), I heartily recommend your writeup to anyone tackling a Toyota equipped with this maintenance hostile engine.
Antman
Elite Member
Thank you sir! Posts like this make the effort worth it...:biggrin2:
No, Harper 7, you have it wrong.
Whether you are a Toyota sattrap or just a sychophant, your thinking is as wrong as the bean counters who designed this retarded system with cartridge filters that went out with the 1940s. The so-called engine design improvements (which I will grant you are mostly real) are not an effective trade off against the hundreds or thousands of shortened engine lives that are resulting from dealers and third party oil changers who refuse to go through this hostile procedure, but represent otherwise to the owners. As for the environmental impact of spin on filters vs. the cartriges, if you buy that as significant, may I suggest you sip the ocean through a straw to help prevent sea level rise.
Whether you are a Toyota sattrap or just a sychophant, your thinking is as wrong as the bean counters who designed this retarded system with cartridge filters that went out with the 1940s. The so-called engine design improvements (which I will grant you are mostly real) are not an effective trade off against the hundreds or thousands of shortened engine lives that are resulting from dealers and third party oil changers who refuse to go through this hostile procedure, but represent otherwise to the owners. As for the environmental impact of spin on filters vs. the cartriges, if you buy that as significant, may I suggest you sip the ocean through a straw to help prevent sea level rise.
vicpick58
New member
I just performed my 8th oil change at 40k miles, it has become routine and I no longer even think about the extra effort due to the skid plates and filter cartridge.
Grinding off those extra tabs at the second or third change helped a lot.
However every 10k miles (like this last one) I also remove the wheels, clean the inside rims and rotate the tires. While it is up on the stands I also crawl under and grease the U-joints and drive shaft slides.
I change the engine air filter every 10k miles as well. Even at my leisurely pace it only takes a couple hours to perform all this service.
Just doing a 5k mile oil changes can be done in less than an hour.
As an added benefit it now it seems real easy whenever I do one of my other vehicles oil change.
Grinding off those extra tabs at the second or third change helped a lot.
However every 10k miles (like this last one) I also remove the wheels, clean the inside rims and rotate the tires. While it is up on the stands I also crawl under and grease the U-joints and drive shaft slides.
I change the engine air filter every 10k miles as well. Even at my leisurely pace it only takes a couple hours to perform all this service.
Just doing a 5k mile oil changes can be done in less than an hour.
As an added benefit it now it seems real easy whenever I do one of my other vehicles oil change.
surffshr
New member
This thread was perfect. I grew up with a 69 Chevy truck with a canister filter so it was like old times! Except for what I found left (or not) by my dealer service monkeys. That part of the rear skid plate that covers the oil pan? Glad Antman took pics cause I have no such part. Four bolts in the front skid? I was lucky...only three in mine. This was my first out of dealer service change, and I doubt I'll take it back to them now. The part about the skid plate under the oil pan being "missing" will get the service department a call tomorrow.
Btw, first time took me about 3 hrs and that was jamming tunes (as instructed) with a cold beer.
Thanks gentlemen
Btw, first time took me about 3 hrs and that was jamming tunes (as instructed) with a cold beer.
Thanks gentlemen
Johnny Utah
New member
Get under there and locate the oil drain cover. The bolts are 12mm, and there are 2 of them. Remove the bolts.
So should the oil drain cover NOT look like this?
I noticed something hanging down below my truck. I figured it was a piece of plastic or something. Got down below and realized it was metal, so i took it off. You guys think the dealership botched screwing that other bolt in correctly, or will it just come out on its own? This happen to anybody else?
I need to buy some more bolts to replace the lost one. What the hell do i buy? Stainless steel, 12mm bolt, with washer? How long of a bolt should i get? I guess, i could bring the bolt i have and measure with that.
Antman
Elite Member
So should the oil drain cover NOT look like this?
I noticed something hanging down below my truck. I figured it was a piece of plastic or something. Got down below and realized it was metal, so i took it off. You guys think the dealership botched screwing that other bolt in correctly, or will it just come out on its own? This happen to anybody else?
I need to buy some more bolts to replace the lost one. What the hell do i buy? Stainless steel, 12mm bolt, with washer? How long of a bolt should i get? I guess, i could bring the bolt i have and measure with that.
I noticed the EXACT same thing on Titanpat's truck while we were camping at The Cove. The Tech that changed the oil took out 1 bolt and loosened the other so he could just swing the access door out of the way.
Don't you dare buy anything!
Take it back to the dealer and show it to them. Make them replace the bolt. Then tell them the next oil change will be on their dime.
thebwlife
Senior Member
This rarely happens - I worked in an oil change bay for 5 years in HS & College only a couple times in 5 years of the 150 cars per/d we could not change their filter. Mostly due to over tightening and the metal filter would rip. Of the ones we had priblems with the owners were well aware of the situation. Sorry but "hundreds of thousands" is "retarded" to say. You are much more likely to leave the shop with the wrong oil or not filled correctly than without a filter change.
Just because it took you "2 hours" to change you oil doesnt mean its hard to do. That speaks more of your lack of mechanical skill. For those that have worked in a bay the 4runner is pretty easy...not a big deal and really only takes about an extra min if you know what your doing. Most of the Chevy or Ford trucks are a bigger pain than any of them due to the way they drain (Chevys) and the where the filter is (some 4x4 F-150's). And in Oklahoma those are probably the most common vehicles.
Also congratulations that in two posts on the site you've made it clear you're an ass.
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Whiplash Willy
New member
So should the oil drain cover NOT look like this?
I noticed something hanging down below my truck. I figured it was a piece of plastic or something. Got down below and realized it was metal, so i took it off. You guys think the dealership botched screwing that other bolt in correctly, or will it just come out on its own? This happen to anybody else?
I need to buy some more bolts to replace the lost one. What the hell do i buy? Stainless steel, 12mm bolt, with washer? How long of a bolt should i get? I guess, i could bring the bolt i have and measure with that.
I would just take that picture to them, with the receipt of your last oil change with them, and get a new bolt, and put it in yourself. They obviously can't be trusted to put a bolt in, let alone change your oil.
1000MPH
Senior Member
Put me down as one of the five I guess.
I got the old "screwdriver through the filter trick" instead of a new one on my old Acura...and I paid for the premium service.
Started smoking on the drive home. I had checked the oil level in the parking lot but wasn't looking for holes in the filter.
From the four free dealer oil changes on my 4Runner, I have this record:
1 missing skid plate bolt.
1 broken skid plate bolt.
1 1/2 qt overfill.
1 1 qt underfill.
1 paint chip (looks like it was from closing the hood on a tool)
2x extremely overtorqued filter housing.
They also broke a bumper support when doing the headlight fix.
I just pulled the trigger on a new floor jack, stands, grease gun, and supplies to do oil and diff changes. Cost me more than going to the dealer for the next 5 years but worth it!
After living in the city for years, I finally have a garage/driveway where I can do my own maintenance again. I feel empowered. :reddance:
thebwlife
Senior Member
Put me down as one of the five I guess.
I got the old "screwdriver through the filter trick" instead of a new one on my old Acura...and I paid for the premium service.
Started smoking on the drive home. I had checked the oil level in the parking lot but wasn't looking for holes in the filter.
From the four free dealer oil changes on my 4Runner, I have this record:
1 missing skid plate bolt.
1 broken skid plate bolt.
1 1/2 qt overfill.
1 1 qt underfill.
1 paint chip (looks like it was from closing the hood on a tool)
2x extremely overtorqued filter housing.
They also broke a bumper support when doing the headlight fix.
I just pulled the trigger on a new floor jack, stands, grease gun, and supplies to do oil and diff changes. Cost me more than going to the dealer for the next 5 years but worth it!
After living in the city for years, I finally have a garage/driveway where I can do my own maintenance again. I feel empowered. :reddance:
Sounds like you should be contacting the Toyota Service Rep (the one that works for Toyota not the dealer) - I will tell you as far a percentages go you are far in the minority. Remember we all read about this problems on an enthusiast forum. Normal drivers without problems don't come online to complain about problems they haven't experienced.
And remind me never to stand next to you because you're a bad luck charm!
Antman
Elite Member
Antman, The first post says 15mm drain plug.
Mine is 14mm.
Yeah- you are not the first to mention that. Next time I change my oil I'll double check and change the post and corresponding pictures if necessary.
Thanks for the heads up!
1000MPH
Senior Member
Sounds like you should be contacting the Toyota Service Rep (the one that works for Toyota not the dealer) - I will tell you as far a percentages go you are far in the minority. Remember we all read about this problems on an enthusiast forum. Normal drivers without problems don't come online to complain about problems they haven't experienced.
And remind me never to stand next to you because you're a bad luck charm!
Good thing I work in the gaming industry.
I have 3 cases with Toyota Experience. They don't give a flying F at a rolling donut, but they do sound sympathetic when you call.
I must add that I took my last truck to Walmart for $20 oil changes 3-4 times a year. In 8 years I never had any issues.
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