C4 Fabrication
New member
We should have a pair off of our 15 Trail here at the shop. Send us a PM and we can figure it out.
TRD Pro Skid on '15 4Runner TE w/ KDSS
- Thread starter borfoo3
- Start date
We should have a pair off of our 15 Trail here at the shop. Send us a PM and we can figure it out.
jk24runner
Member
I may have a pair locally, but if they fall through I'll definitely hit you up
Removing support brackets?
I've read in other forms that people are remove the the support brackets to install their skid plate. The only pieces I removed were the original front engine cover/plate, the lower bumper cover, and the 4 bolts on the support bracket. See image three.
I've read in other forms that people are remove the the support brackets to install their skid plate. The only pieces I removed were the original front engine cover/plate, the lower bumper cover, and the 4 bolts on the support bracket. See image three.
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Do you have KDSS? I tried for an hour and couldn’t get my skid plate to fit over the brackets on mine. Once the brackets were off, it slipped right on.
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snowboarder_man101
New member
I've just read on this page(see below) that someone manage to leave the (2) radiator brackets in place by simply using longer(60mm) bolts on the front of the TRD skid plate. Did anyone succeed by doing the same?
I'll give it a try for sure and give a feedback when I'll have a chance.
Cheers,
https://trail4runner.com/2017/09/20/5th-gen-4runner-trd-skid-plate-install-kdss/
I'll give it a try for sure and give a feedback when I'll have a chance.
Cheers,
https://trail4runner.com/2017/09/20/5th-gen-4runner-trd-skid-plate-install-kdss/
I can confirm that 60 mm bolts will NOT remove the requirement of removing the radiator supports. Me and my 10 dollar amazon bag of bolts just tried it, and the skid plate won’t even move into the position with the supports in place. Regardless of the length of the front bolts.
The radiator supports on a KDSS model curve downwards. One would need longer spacers up front and some spacers for the rear to avoid removing the braces.
Just finished up my skid plate install. Looking back, I should have just went with another skid made for KDSS...
I haven’t seen anyone mention a few things in this thread, so I have a few suggestions.
1. Add a 10mm fender washer to each bolt on the underside of the skid. This repositions the skid at the correct height (removing the radiator brackets moves the skid up a few mm’s) and prevents stress at the rear tubular mounting points.
2. Have a warn semi hidden winch? Then you HAVE to do the above or the skid wont fit.
AS ALWAYS
3. Get a m10-1.25 tap and a t handle to go along with it. Mine was able to use a 3/8s ratchet in place of the t handle. Worked great. The rear holes are horrible, and mine were filled with rust. My truck is just 1 year old.
4. I do not recommend using the supplied rear bolts for this skid if you have KDSS. Just use the stock bolts. Works fine, with plenty of thread engagement.
5. Finally, good luck not jacking up the powder coating while jig sawing the relief cuts. I will have to do some touch ups with some spray paint when I find a good match.
Again, I wish I would have just went with the RCI skid now. Over three hours of work went into this, along with several trips to Lowe’s for supplies. The red TRD letters do look good though.
I haven’t seen anyone mention a few things in this thread, so I have a few suggestions.
1. Add a 10mm fender washer to each bolt on the underside of the skid. This repositions the skid at the correct height (removing the radiator brackets moves the skid up a few mm’s) and prevents stress at the rear tubular mounting points.
2. Have a warn semi hidden winch? Then you HAVE to do the above or the skid wont fit.
AS ALWAYS
3. Get a m10-1.25 tap and a t handle to go along with it. Mine was able to use a 3/8s ratchet in place of the t handle. Worked great. The rear holes are horrible, and mine were filled with rust. My truck is just 1 year old.
4. I do not recommend using the supplied rear bolts for this skid if you have KDSS. Just use the stock bolts. Works fine, with plenty of thread engagement.
5. Finally, good luck not jacking up the powder coating while jig sawing the relief cuts. I will have to do some touch ups with some spray paint when I find a good match.
Again, I wish I would have just went with the RCI skid now. Over three hours of work went into this, along with several trips to Lowe’s for supplies. The red TRD letters do look good though.
Blue109
New member
I spent more time drawing in my cut lines than I did cutting and installing the skid? Think I put one small scratch in the powdercoat when the jigsaw snagged but that was me getting impatient. Im happy with it. For $215 on the TRD sale I dont have any regrets.
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Thanks for all the info and cut out template on this thread. Got mine on today. Wasn't a bad deal. Go slow and careful on the cuts. Definitely use the thread tap to clean out the rears. I had my rear skid off due to diff oil change so I ended up cleaning those threads up(those use M8 - 1.25). I will keep an eye on my KDSS to make sure no rubbing occurs.
Since I get my Pro wheels tomorrow and I don't have a real TRD Pro, I had to change the color on the skid lettering just to make it obvious to others that I am an impostor! Taping off those letters for spray paint took forever. Wish the TufSkinz letters were a touch cheaper......but I am a cheap guy.
Since I get my Pro wheels tomorrow and I don't have a real TRD Pro, I had to change the color on the skid lettering just to make it obvious to others that I am an impostor! Taping off those letters for spray paint took forever. Wish the TufSkinz letters were a touch cheaper......but I am a cheap guy.
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thanks for the template. made the cuts with a jigsaw. filed the edges. painted any damaged colours and installed.
(1) the radiator support brackets needed to be removed
(2) i used all four bolts that came with the TRD skid to install. they went in without any resistance and i torqued them to specified settings (22lbs/ft)
looks great. so far kdss cylinder has not hit the plate.
(1) the radiator support brackets needed to be removed
(2) i used all four bolts that came with the TRD skid to install. they went in without any resistance and i torqued them to specified settings (22lbs/ft)
looks great. so far kdss cylinder has not hit the plate.
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My KDSS sway bar hits when I articulate my front end past a certain point. What’s odd is that it hits in front of the sway bar, not below where you would think it would make contact.
What color paint did you use for touch ups? I still need to touch mine up.
this was the closest match i could find. sticks well and looks good
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/tr...n-silver-340-g-aerosol-spray-paint/1000156543
the US homedepot should have the same
Just curious. Your mods looks a little different and way better than others I've seen. Did you take out the two support brackets? It also looks like you added spacers at the front other than what is already provided in the kit as well as spacers at the back mount. I also see you mounted the bumper liner which I was not able to do in my mod. How did you do that? Thanks.
