Victory 4x4 engine protection plate

[skag1T]

I am reposting this question here since i did not get any answer in the Official Vendors & Sponsors > Victory4x4 > Skid Plates

I bought the victory 4x4 engine protection/skid plate and the installation video for the front (engine) skid plate requires to remove 2 bracers after removig the factory skid plate (see pic) - what are these parts and is there any danger in removing them ? I am assuming they are there as reinforcement ?

Video YouTube

 

[borfoo3]

Are you sure? The TRD skid plates retain these brackets

I would keep them on there

 

[guitarsail]

The TRD skids are also pretty useless. Take em off. It’ll be fine.

 

[borfoo3]

The TRD skids are also pretty useless. Take em off. It’ll be fine.

My radiator is still in one piece because the TRD skids did their job just fine

 

[ksj0823]

I was searching for the same part yesterday. I believe that's
toyota part #5140360020 or #5140360030.

It's called BRACE SUB-ASSEMBLY with description "STABILIZER-KDSS; FRONT SUSPENSION MEMBER, LEFT; FRONT SUSPENSION MEMBER, RIGHT."



The interesting part is, A company in China recently release one of their skid plate for 4runner owner in China. The installation also required to remove this part.

This is their skid for 4runner. At this moment I don't think they will ship to US.

 

[skag1T]

I don't have KDSS on my SR5 so from the post above, it seems that is a part that can be removed safely without impacting any structure reinforcement.

My question is, why have a part that is only used for KDSS on a truck that has no KDSS installed ?

Would like input from other members.

Appreciate the responses.

 

[rayofsi]

I don't have KDSS on my SR5 so from the post above, it seems that is a part that can be removed safely without impacting any structure reinforcement.

My question is, why have a part that is only used for KDSS on a truck that has no KDSS installed ?

Would like input from other members.

Appreciate the responses.

had to remove mine for my heftyfab skids, nearly 2 years now, no issues.

it is not the part that [MENTION=164962]ksj0823[/MENTION] mentioned btw. He has it totally wrong...

 

[TrijiCog]

I don't have KDSS on my SR5 so from the post above, it seems that is a part that can be removed safely without impacting any structure reinforcement.

My question is, why have a part that is only used for KDSS on a truck that has no KDSS installed ?

Would like input from other members.

Appreciate the responses.

Its easier and cheaper to just have one assembly line for one frame type. That piece of metal probably costs $2.47

 

[skag1T]

Did some more digging on this based on the p/n that ksj0823 provided above.

On this site:

Toyota 4Runner Bracket, front suspension member, right. Body, package, interior - 5122535040 - Genuine Toyota Part

It seems that this are "suspension members", not related to KDSS.

At this point I am really questioning if it's wise to remove these "members"...

 

[Jetboy]

The skid plate acts as a replacement both for the structure of the radiator support brace and to replace the skid. Those radiator support braces are not very strong. Once you unbolt them, you'll see that they're thin wall tubing and do not have a lot of strength. Most aftermarket skids are actually stronger.

The rear ones are much more robust than the front - but also can be replaced by a skid plate's structure.

The chinese set (if it is thick steel as it appears) looks like a winner to me. I'd buy a set tomorrow if they are as they appear. Even more so if they're made in a high tensile strength steel. They'd be drool worthy to me.

 

[honda250xtitan]

The skid plate acts as a replacement both for the structure of the radiator support brace and to replace the skid. Those radiator support braces are not very strong. Once you unbolt them, you'll see that they're thin wall tubing and do not have a lot of strength. Most aftermarket skids are actually stronger.

The rear ones are much more robust than the front - but also can be replaced by a skid plate's structure.

The chinese set (if it is thick steel as it appears) looks like a winner to me. I'd buy a set tomorrow if they are as they appear. Even more so if they're made in a high tensile strength steel. They'd be drool worthy to me.

Chinese stamped steel? ehhhhh , fabricated is way more drool worthy:banana:

 

[Inv4drZm]

Those little tube braces in the first post are just cat guards. No harm in moving them.

 

[skag1T]

Those little tube braces in the first post are just cat guards. No harm in moving them.

Haha, I like it, "cat guards" !!

Okay thank you for your input guys.

 

[Inv4drZm]

Haha, I like it, "cat guards" !!

Okay thank you for your input guys.

I guess I should have been clearer. Catalytic converter guards.

 

[nb rob]

the original post is about the cross member braces.

The post with the garbagy looking chinese plate are radiator brackets. They are referenced as suspension related, but they're commonly called radiator brackets here, for ease of identifying them when they're contacting aftermarket skids.

The cross member braces hang low, but keep that cross member from fetching up hard. I've skidded over rocks on those braces a few times.
I've seen some skid plate packages that require their removal. I'm happy with the access to the front, and I've never had an issue up there.

Not uncommon for folks to remove them to accommodate aftermarket skids

 

[Jetboy]

Chinese stamped steel? ehhhhh , fabricated is way more drool worthy:banana:

It really depends on what the steel grade is. Fabricated has significant limitations. Stamped like that would be stronger than fabricated plate twice as thick. That's why Toyota makes them like they do - because they can.

Fair point about chinesium though. What it says and what it is are often very different things. I'd want to know what exact grade of steel it really is before I'd touch it. If it was made in 1/8" AR400 - I'd love to have a set.

 

[skag1T]

The skid plates that I ordered from Victory 4x4 is cut and formed from 3/16" steel. The front skid is really heavy.

I will have a full set of skid plates, front, transmission and transfer case. All made of the same material.

I was concerned that those cross member braces are there to support or reinforce something. I feel a bit better now in removing them. I believe that front skid plate will bee a very good protection for that area.