Skid Plate

[blaze17]

It seems like the rear section of the factory skid plate doesn't do much and I'd like to remove it. Opinions?

 

[JayRolla]

All skid plates are there for a purpose. If it wasnt than the Toyota would not have put it on there.

 

[Nashvegas34]

It's your truck. The rear plate is pretty flimsy, but it would offer at least a little protection for your oil pan. If you don't off-road, though, then you could probably survive without it. Why do you want to remove it, though? Is it in your way? The grill doesn't do much either, but people leave that on.

 

[3rd gen king]

It's your truck. The rear plate is pretty flimsy, but it would offer at least a little protection for your oil pan. If you don't off-road, though, then you could probably survive without it. Why do you want to remove it, though? Is it in your way? The grill doesn't do much either, but people leave that on.

Windows also have been prone to breaking which is unsafe, remove them too.

Jk just busting your chops, leave it it could only help.

 

[brian2sun]

I took mine off after the 1st oil change because it's in the way and never put it back on (of course now I have aftermarket skids). The stock one doesn't protect much, especially if you don't off road. I took it off my Taco too.

 

[jspagna1]

I still have mine on my 97. But I know a lot of people take them off because after awhile the bolts get stripped and they just leave them off. They also don't go off roading either.
I feel safer with them on. And I do go off roading with my truck occasionally.

 

[JayRolla]

I took mine off after the 1st oil change because it's in the way and never put it back on (of course now I have aftermarket skids). The stock one doesn't protect much, especially if you don't off road. I took it off my Taco too.

Hows it in the way for oil change, there is a hole for the bolt.

 

[Doug18]

It is flimsy although it may stop sticks from damaging things much more than that and its done for

 

[brian2sun]

Hows it in the way for oil change, there is a hole for the bolt.

the oil isn't going to drain straight through that hole, it gets all over the place.

 

[Nashvegas34]

I put this on several years ago and it works great. Drains straight down, zero mess from the drain (the oil filter is another story). The hose isn't even needed, just the valve.

Amazon.com: Fram SD2 SureDrain Fast Access Oil Change Drain Plug System: Automotive

I can't remember if this is actually the right one because I don't remember the size of our oil drain plug. There are 5 sizes (SD1-SD5). Amazon currently has them all except the SD2.

 

[gannonrt]

Leave it on. If you are in the rust belt then some road spray hits it instead of other components you care about more. I took mine off for a few months and components that were free from rust started to develop some. I offroad moderately hard (see avatar) and encounter rocks during every trip. If you have to you can slide along an unavoidable rock. I'd much rather do that with a crappy skid plate than none at all. Remember that it is a skid plate though and not a "crash down on a pointed rock" plate though and it will still be useful to you.

 

[Chris_Harby]

Anytime I have Changed the oil in my 98, the skid plate has never been an issue for me, just when you take the filter out it runs out of the back of it and can make a small puddle. as long as you put a drain pan or rags down near the back of the plate it's not a big deal.

 

[smithj33]

It literally takes 3 min to remove the plates for a oil change and another 5 to put it back on. 8 min every few months is worth the extra protection.