Done with OEM skid plate

Have you heard about good independent shops around you? You can watch the whole process and don’t have to crawl under the vehicle in your 60s. I’m half of your age and would not do it. It’s not worth my time when I can sip on a coffee and watch the guy doing it. He literally throws away the old filter front of me and walks back with the new one.

 

Copy that. Yeah I’m pretty excited about getting this. Should make oil changes a lot easier. Hopefully I’ll be able to sell the OEM skid plate as well.

 

^Since you mention Moab, beware the oil filter door can get destroyed when rock crawling, but it's replaceable. If you get the RCI 3-piece, I suggest finding a local fabrication shop to reinforce the transfer case skid crossmember. Folks in my off road club have bent it at the large drain hole RCI cut into the bottom:

 

I bench press it into place while my 11 year old son puts in the bolts haha.

 

I have all 3 RCI skids and have them off currently doing maintenance. It's gotten progressively easier each time I work with them learning tricks. Yesterday was the first easiest so far using floor jack and 2 blocks of wood supporting the skid to get bolts started. Magic to be under truck not trying to hold the skid and get the bolts started and lined up.

Another trick on the back longer bolt that has a black nylon washer. I gorilla taped the washer to frame so lined up to hole.

 

This motorcycle jack has been my ace-in-the-hole for removing and replacing RCI skid plates.

$100 VIVOHOME 1100 Lbs Steel Wide Deck Motorcycle Lift ATV Scissor Lift Jack with Dolly and Hand Crank Bikes Garage Repair Hoist Stand Black

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GCF78NN?th=1

 

if you live in the rust belt pre soak the mid M8s with Kroil or similar. I had to drill out about 5 of them. Mostly south of Trans skid plate. Mine are a mix of steel and aluminum along with rear diff and gas tank. Fitment otherwise very easy...but pre soak those bolts as they shear easily... I had to have one rebuilt with a sort of custom stick nut inside the rail area.

 

I just slide under my rig with the plate on my chest, use my legs (knees) to lift up one end of the plate so I can start one bolt, move to the opposite corner and repeat, easy peasy. It’s how I installed my front bumper. Of course I have all my vehicle service performed at the dealership

 

That’s brilliant

 

I don't use the hand chuck as the overhanging skid interferes with raising and lowering, slow and awkward. I've found a swivel socket on an extension with a drill gun works great for that.

 

I do have The Car Care Nut 5 minutes from my house. I’m blessed but I only use him for stuff I can’t do. As I mentioned previously, I only want Penzoil Ultra Platinum and OEM filter. I also want the filter torqued and the oil drain gasket replaced and not with some universal one. By the time you drive to your trusted mechanic, sit, drive home, I completed the job 30 minutes ahead of you. Plus I know it’s not some generic filter and bulk oil. My only issue is my shoulder getting that skid plate back up. I’ve solved that problem with my RCI purchase.

 

Thanks for that info. Good to know. Yes we have fun with the 4Runner. It’s a 22 but has 76k miles. We head out west annually for a 3 month trip. Every day we are off-roading. We did Utah, Colorado, Arizona and then headed to Florida just for bass fishing. No off roading in Florida. Moab was incredible it’s the gold standard. Texas is tough as well. We did the Toyota Jamboree last year and Texas doesn’t play around. That was challenging. We are doing it again this year. It just sucked because regardless of where I am I do a 5k mile oil change. Sucked doing it in Florida bc I have limited tools and did it in an oreillys parking lot 90 degrees and fighting that damn skid plate.

 

RCI skid is a great choice. I found mine on FB by a guy who bought it for his GX470 and wasn't going to use it. I think it's an older version as it's totally flat on the ground facing side. I am able to balance it on my floor jack for easy removal and installation. It takes a little practice but you'll never be lifting anything close to the full weight (approx. 45 lbs.) of the skid when you get it right. Oil change port is a gamechanger for sure.

Pro tip: now's the time to change front diff oil before putting the skid on.......

 

The part about 90 degrees made me laugh because living in south Florida I know all about that .
Where in Florida do you go ?

 

Yeah, this is time to do all of these fluid changes. I would argue do the transmission fluid if you haven't done it. I would argue this might be the last time it is worth going to the dealer, if their prices are reasonable for this work. If not, go to a local shop or see if you have the patience to DIY.

 

Great advice. I’m in the rust belt. Thank u

 

I do the trans myself. Bought a fluid pump and it’s a beyond easy process

 

I have the same. Love it. Makes it nice when you do 2 or 3 oil changes every year. Matches up perfectly with my C4 skids. I hope I can rip it off one day and be a real offroader

 

Went victory/c4. The RCI and others worth their salt, are about the same. And all are good.
I did TIG (see pic) some grade 8 nuts on the back of the skid, for the removable filter cover before putting it on, and no dif drop. Used bolt heads so i can get to them when i smash them. I had pan head. Smashed a few of them and they where rough to get out when it smeared flat. The bolt heads give me something to grab when they get smashed. I had to drill and ez out the pan/flat heads that basically smeared themselves into the pan on the bottom/flat side when thrashing. Its a shame the OEM skid didn't do a bit better job access wise, because its not horrible.



Front to back, with A arms, that i dont want or need. But ya get the idea.

 

Any concerns about this becoming a heat bucket?

 

For me no. No more than the OEM. In fact im sure its better than OEM. Cant speak for others.

 

Adding the xfer case/transmission skid traps some heat. Air flow at speed is still good with the vents in engine skid proving flow to the rear skids. Non issue for me with transmission cooler and monitoring temps but something to consider anyone not watching their temps. 100+ degrees ambient temps is when I see the most fluctuating under load.

 

While monitoring my transmission, i get more heat, way more heat, climbing a long long highway stretch in altitude, in cool temps, than out in the west desert/moab when its 112f and crawling.
The transfer case, i don't even care about. No transmission cooler here. I haven't seen why i need one for now. I don't tow. But the rig is a pig, weight wise, especially when i go for long stretches.

 

Ft Meyers.

 

Yep you’re 25 miles north of me and smack dab in the oven during the summer.

 

My RCI skid plate just arrived. Damn that thing is beefy. I had to carry it in and it had some weight to it. Thanks to everyone who recommended it

 

Enjoy mate. Youll dig it.

 

Damn. That is clean. Looks fantastic

 

Thanks buddy. Yeah won’t get it installed probably for another week. Taking it in next Wednesday to the dealership for possibly the needle bearing. Two weeks ago they replaced the front differential for that TSB but the groan is still there. Whenever I take it in I drop the skid plate. Don’t need them cross threading the bolts.

 

Bad ass. If i ever take the rig for someone else to do a oil change (yes everyone, i do that sometimes, dont lose your sit) i will take the access plate off, and leave it at home. Gives them a clear shot in to the filter, and NO reason to xthread the fastners when dude puts it back on.
I take the cover off, put a sharpie mark on the filter (so i remember and know) and drop it off. Youll dig it. Go get out, and have fun.