TRD skid plate bolt sizes?

If you replace the factory skid plate on TRDOR with the upgraded TRD skid plate, does it use larger bolts and different bolt holes provided in the frame? In other words, there must be alternate threaded holes provided in the frame already?

 

It uses the same mounting holes. The TRD skid plate comes with longer bolts, spacers and retaining washers. Do yourself a huge favor and clean out those mounting holes- use a spray cleaner to get the gunk out and then chase the threads with the appropriate tap. Use anti-seize on the bolts because you have to remove the skid every time you change the oil. There is also the stud mounting method, which really makes it much easier.

 

So when you are chasing the threads you are NOT cutting new threads because you are in the existing threads. I’m guessing not much resistance. I was under the impression the factory (black) skid plate uses smaller diameter holes (I believe 12 mm hex heads). I remember on my 2016 Tacoma removing some bolts that attach existing braces to the lower radiator support. They were larger diameter bolt shanks with 14mm hex heads, I believe. Then attaching the TRD skid with longer bolts supplied by Toyota. I was hoping the 4 Runner was the same. One thing I liked about the Tacoma TRD skid was the factory supplied removable plate to access the oil filter. I don’t understand why the 4 Runner TRD skid is not the same. I was looking at the CarTrimHome TRD skid plate. It looks geometrically the same but has the oil filter access plate.

 

I really need to convert to studs, I bent one side slightly so the front driver is a bit hard to get in..not crazy overtorque it hard, just a little stiff. I still worry it will eventually snap that welded nut though.

 

I had a CTH skid for a short while. It uses the same bolt holes as the oem skid. Just longer bolts.

 

Ok, wow. If I am not mistaken the Toyota TRD skid plate does NOT use the same bolt holes as the black steel (thin) skid plate? When I had my 2016 Tacoma TRDOR, I replaced the OEM black steel skid plate with the TRD skid plate. It used the larger diameter bolt holes that attach those braces to the lower radiator support. There were 3 bolts per brace and you removed 2 of them and installed the longer provided bolts in those holes. That left the smaller diameter bolt holes for the OEM black steel skid plate unused. I was thinking the 4 Runner was the same?

 

Did you like the CTH skid plate?

 

I just installed one on my 4runner and it is the same. The TRD skid plate uses the radiator support bolt locations, not the original skid plate locations. I was kinda forced to install the TRD one because of the different mounting locations. The previous owner really screwed up the original bolts/nuts and I had to cut the dam thing off...

 

Good to know. I am thinking of doing what you just did. I can’t understand why the 4 Runner TRD skid doesn’t have the oil filter access plate that the Tacoma TRD skid does? Removing the heavier TRD skid for oil changes is more difficult than removing the black ORM skid because it is much heavier and cumbersome to do. The black OEM skid has those tabs to support the front edge when installing and removing

 

I liked the oil filter access plate and the overall fit and quality. The thing I didn’t like about it is it required the removal of the two radiator braces to install, so I sold it.

 

Really? Is your 4 Runner KDSS equipped? Is that why the radiator braces needed to be removed? Or does the CTH skid require removing those braces even if not KDSS equipped? I would not want to remove those braces either.

 

My 4R does have KDSS. Whether those are specific to KDSS-equipped vehicles or not, I'm not sure. I only know that it would not fit without removing those, as it used two of the bolt holes the braces used, and without removing them the bolts supplied were not long enough. I did not want to eliminate those braces, as you don't either. I went with an RCI aluminum skid - more money, but a far superior skid.

 

Does anyone know whether the RCI skidplate uses same holes as OEM? Or at least existing holes?

 

It does use the existing bolt holes used for the oem skid(s). I don't think it uses all the bolt holes for the two-piece oem skid, but does use some of them. No new holes are needed.

I was also able to reuse the plastic air dam between the skid and the front bumper with no modifications.

 

I think that plastic air dam will keep water, mud and debris out of radiator and is a good idea to use if the that opening is not covered by an added skid plate.