Skid plate hole

Anyone just cut a hole in the engine skid plate to access oil filter. I never go off road.

 

No, but I off-road.

Prepare yourself, you’ll probably get about 20-30 replies stating OE skids are junk and you MUST upgrade to aftermarket skids with a filter access hole to be worthy on this forum.

 

It’s easy enough to remove. Just unbolt it.

 

I've thought about removing my skid plate, cutting the hole, & putting it back on. I might do that this spring.

 

After you do it a few times it only takes about 3 minutes. Besides, it gives you an opportunity to look at other parts that can't be seen from the top.

 

If nothing particularly soft is exposed I’d consider just getting rid of the front plate you’re talking about.

You’ll still have the oil pan skid too.

 

I wonder if trouble of cutting is worth vs spending 260-300 bucks for an aftermarket skid plate with maintenance removable plate?

 

Idk. Cutting a hole is free.

I was considering cutting a couple holes in my RCI skid to make transmission and transfer case fluid changes easier
The RCI skids make engine oil changes easy. But everything else requires dropping the skids, which is a huge pita.

 

Meh. Every 30K. Averages every 2-3 years for most people. It's a good trade off.

 

I have c4 skids. Has holes. I stopped screwing the cover plate back on for those holes.

 

I just bought a $120 eBay knockoff aluminum skid. Still 4 bolts, but lighter and easier to handle. Removing the skid lets me remove the whole cap without fiddling with the snap-in drain spigot. As the saying goes, choose your "hard".

 

That's true for most people. But I change my transmission fluid every time it goes over 250F. Which is every summer in Texas.
Two simple drain holes would make this a lot easier of a job.

One day, I'll stop complaining and just cut the damn holes... and add a transmission cooler.

 

What about greasing drive shafts? Are you only doing that every 30k? That's the main hassle I have needing to drop the skids more frequently.

 

^Do you remove your skids before each winter to touch up rock scars? Just grease the driveshafts then.

 

I lube the driveshafts and UCA with a few pumps every oil change. So easy other than my skid remove and replace.

Yes on the touch up of sliders but my front skids are RCI aluminum so nothing to touch up.

 

Glad we don't use horses anymore for transportation.

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm gonna cut the hole.

 

Don't be an ass

 

I think new Sequoia has fiberpaper front skid protection from highway debris only. weight reduction.

 

It’s 4 bolts. I wouldn’t cut a hole. Plus when I drop it I just do a visual inspection.

 

Nope. Doing it every 5K with oil changes. I have had good success with a needle attachment and whip hose on my grease gun. Granted, the drive shafts need to be perfectly set, but it's totally possible. I have full RCI skids.

 

Having a access hole is tempting, but I would worry about something like a stick jamming up in there. If filter access is a priority without pulling the skid then I would fabricate a cover plate.

 

On my 2021 Tacoma, the Toyota service department left that cover plate off after an oil change. I went back and made them find it & the screws but I didn't waste an hour letting them put it back on for me. I never did put it back on either.

 

Skid plate hole. lol

 

You realize next time you off-road, a big branch is going to go straight into that opening and punch a hole clean through the oil pan…right?

Ok, the chances are pretty low that would ever happen….unless it does

 

Yeah or get caught on a rock and stop my car instantly

 

https://youtu.be/-fINyjTwtPo?si=-yQ-4dWROwPh_pAF

 

I decided to remove the front skid for access and left off.engine skid is still on and will stay on. It seems the filter is now easy to change and well tucked up behind the radiator. Shop told me they usually leave them off unless the customers insist they put back on. Most say leave off and has never had a customer have a road trash or rock damage it.