Is it okay to ditch the factory engine skid plate if I don't off road?

Does anyone know if the factory engine skid plate serves any structural or other important role?

I don't plan on off roading at all, so any problem if I just remove it? Thanks

 

Why would you want to remove it?

 

There's plenty on the road that can jump up and hit your oil pan. A Heep in front of me lost the fancy hitch cover that said, "Remove For Recovery" or whatever, went under my truck and made a nice clank against the Pelfrey skid I had on my Tacoma.

 

I want to do the spin-on oil filter conversion, and looks like the conversion will add length compared to the OEM cartridge filter and will not clear factory engine skid plate.

 

that's a good point, maybe I should just fork out another $400 for RCI skid even if I don't offroad but to prevent road hazard.

The TRD Pro skid looks like a PITA every time needs removal for oil change

 

My only concern would be the oil filter. If you went with the aluminum conversion, then probably ok.

If an aftermarket spin on sits a lot lower than that would concern me too.

 

I believe people use the spin on conversion with the stock skid. Personally I don't see a need for the conversion but that's me.

 

yeah, aftermarket ones come with a door panel that can be removed for oil filter access, worst case I'll just leave it open

 

baxter adapter says it won't clear factory skid on their website

I agree, there's never a need for the conversion, but just less mess and fewer procedures. I use fumoto style drain plug, and if I use spin-on filter, I can crack it loose and spin it off to a zip lock bag not a single drop on the floor

 

I use a Motivx drain tool for the housing. No mess.

 

As for the OP's question, I don't think it's a problem to go without the skid. I'm leaving it on but will take it off if/when I drive the 30 miles to the dealer and back.

 

The biggest dent I got in my factory skids was a helmet I ran over on the highway. Was trapped in the lane and it rolled over after someone else hit it…left some nasty marks and a huge dent in my gas tank factory skid. It was worse that the damage to my trd skid.

the biggest hit I took off-road was a rock….I am also pretty sure I bent the radiator support bracket I bit the front of the trd skid into with that one…still works, no cross threading, just a little stiff to tighten.

moral of the story…skids can be used anywhere.

 

It does suck the OEM plate needs to be removed for oil change. But you can change the bolts to studs which helps quite a bit. See this thread. I’ve done this.

 

I think that is an incredibly bad idea. There are many objects that can cause severe damage on road when they get tangled up under your truck.

I could also see a dealer or insurance company blaming the lack of a skid plate when processing a claim or repair.

In addition, underbody panels and skids play a large roll in underbody airflow and removing them can be detrimental to the vehicle. Not sure if this is the case with a large body on frame SUV, but it is a factor to consider and maybe a topic someone else can shed light on.

 

My biggest PITA when removing the stock skid plate was unhooking the front tabs, so I cut them off and now it's so much faster to change the oil. If you stay stock I'd highly recommend it, though just be careful to support the plate when you're removing the last couple of bolts.

 

Those front tabs were most likely designed for a shop to allow the skid to hang while they did the oil service with the truck on a lift. Pain for the DYIer, helpful for a shop.

 

When I bought mine, all the front skids were missing. I proceeded to drive around like that for close to 2 years before I finally replaced it with an RCI. I really wouldn't worry about it.

My Pontiac Firebird, which obviously sits way lower to the ground than a 4Runner, has no engine skid and driving that for 15 years I've never had a problem.

Think about most passenger cars, they don't have engine skids and they do fine. What they do have is maybe a plastic shield that is there more for aerodynamics than actual protection from anything.

 

If you're not off-roading, maybe buy the TRD skid, and just cut holes in it where you need to access the filter and drain plug?

Also, somebody posted on here recently that there's a generic version of it on Amazon for less than 200 bucks.

 

THIS ^^^

 

The 4R is the only vehicle I have ever owned that has a skid plate. Passenger cars don't come with one. No need 'cause they aren't off-roading. If you don't like it, take it off.

 

Don't do it, there's plenty of knuckleheads on the highway that don't secure their cargo. The skid may save critical engine components someday.

 

It is not skid plate but "engine under cover" made from thin sheet metal. It will protect vital components from stray road debris. By removing stock cover you'll expose lower radiator, plastic oil filter housing, A/C lines, brake lines and many other components. Why would manufacturer go trough trouble putting that cover in, knowing 99% of drivers won't take this vehicle off road.

 

I'm in the same boat as Trail Runnah. When I bought my 2015, it did not have the front plate. I have had no issues in the past year. However, if I hadn't missed the RCI tax time sale, mine would have the RCI plates on it right now. There's a lot of parts that are under that plate that I don't particularly want to have to replace. I can control where I go and what I do when I'm off road, but I can't control someone's ladder flying off their truck driving down the highway and taking out my radiator.

 

A skid plate might not be of much help if a ladder comes flying off the truck in front of you.

 

Tire chunks, medium size rock, stick, chunk of road concrete, racoon... Why do I have to define road debris hazard items?

 

I think I'd probably be much better of with a chunk of steel guarding my radiator than nothing at all, but I see your point. Now I guess I have to think of every possible hazard on and off road before I send RCI my money.

 

Huh? Do you not own skid plates? I didn't know a ladder is a skids achilles heel yet they'll support my whole truck high centered on a rock.

 

Well if a ladder flies off a truck in front of you and comes through your windshield................

 

I have hit all of the above mentioned items numerous times in over 45 yrs. of driving vehicles that did not have any under body protection what-so-ever.

A few scratches and some blood, guts, and fur were the only issues. Never a mechanical problem.

 

I would highly recommend at least some sort of plate/protection. When my RCI Alum plates arrived I removed the stock plate and then had to pause the install job. During that time I drove for a week without the front skid. When I went to finish getting the RCI up there you could tell from all the dirt, dings, road garbage etc that I had been driving without anything installed. Luckily no real damage, but I could image doing that on a full time basis over time there would be some sort of damage eventually. Amazing what a small thin metal plate can do.