Trim plastic radiator support air deflector to work with TRD skid plate?

Yesterday I removed the OEM skid and replaced it with the TRD skid. I know that most just discard the plastic radiator support air deflector and don’t use it with the TRD skid. I don’t like the gap left behind and think that filling the gap would help with airflow and keeping junk off the bottom of the radiator, so want to trim this piece to work with the TRD skid. I’m sure this has been done countless times, but search isn’t finding anything. If someone has a pic of how they trimmed this piece to work with the TRD skid, please share.

 

i still have mine sitting on my shelf. That's a good idea. wonder if that would be enough left to make a difference?
And secondly not having those back attachment points, wonder if it would make wind noise and flap?

 

So rather than obsess over it, I decided to just go do it. The material is really easy to cut with utility shears, it took a couple passes to get it where I wanted it, but it turned out well. It mounts back on solidly with the 3 x 10mm front screws. The TRD skid can be removed and reinstalled without removing the plastic piece again in the future. The project took about 30 min, much of that time being lowering and raising the TRD skid. Hope this helps someone going forward. Pics for reference…

Here are the cuts I made, since I wasn’t sure where it needed to end up.


The end product one cut method would look like this.


Back on the T4R, gap filled!

 

Not Trd pro skids, but I did it with my c4 skid plates

 

Good call, without that plastic piece the lower radiator, which is plastic would be exposed to rock impacts. That’s one of the reasons I’ve been turned off by aftermarket skids.

 

RCI steel skids have full coverage, FYI.

 

@ArizonaJK

Sorry I didn’t see this thread or I would have responded to your mod question. I tackled this mod back in 2014.
I may have posted it here previously, but here is the link on the other website.

 

Thank You and No worries. I guess I’m only 11 years behind the times! I knew this would be doable and turns out it was really easy. Not sure why the TRD skid plate install instructions discards this piece when it can be modified so easily.

 

True, easily done.

 

I am going to try this. Anything to make the oil changes less frustrating.
Does the new cut piece provide adequate coverage?

 

It provides adequate coverage in my case. Look at the photos.

 

Just did it. Should have done it years ago. I have the OEM plate so just to not remove the filler plate during oil changes is a relief.

 

Job done! Thank you for the idea and support.

The lopped-off piece:

Trim piece reinstalled: