TRD Pro Skid Plate: Read This First!!

I just finished installing my TRD skidplate, and I would like to share my experience. I was so excited to finally get it installed, that I more or less didn't really pay attention to how difficult it was to get the bolts all the way in. Almost a HUGE mistake. I spent some time today reading about all of the horror stories with broken, stripped, and cross threaded skid plate bolts. All I could think about all day was, will my bolts just snap in half when I try to take them out? I decide to invest, very wisely, in a tap,bottle of cutting oil, and a container of anit-seize. I took my skid plate off, and was very careful in threading the tap in, and cleaning the holes. There was an unbelievable amount of crap in those threads! My truck only has 2800 miles and has hardly seen any dirt, so this was not road dirt, but rather factory installed dirt and crud. Once I had all the threads cleaned, the bolts threaded all the way in with nothing more than my fingers. I put some anti-seize on all 4 bolts, and then properly torqued them. I love my truck and so far this is the only thing I have not been too thrilled about. I think perhaps the installation instructions should add a clean out the threads step. I attached a couple of pics to show the exact tap size I used. Enjoy!

 

Great idea and a good tip. I have also heard tales of breakage after dealer oil changes.

 

I did the same. The thread cutting oil isn't really necessary to just change the thread pitch a little bit. The new bolts go in super smooth now!

 

Great post, smart move, travelinscout! There are other instances as well when your approach would be very helpful. Toyota uses a lot of fine threaded bolts, and these can easily cross thread in a rusted nut. Once it breaks and is broken off in there, it is a big job to get it back out again. Some so called professional mechanics being paid on a flat rate just hope it isn’t noticed and stick it back together without troubling to fix the broken or crossed threaded bolt.

 

I had heard about these issues and was concerned when I recently installed my RSG skid plate. Man what a surprise! All of my bolts came out easily and the new ones threaded in perfectly. Guess I got lucky again.

 

1st oil change no problem. This last one, for whatever reason, took me forever to get a single bolt started. I feel like I cross threaded one of them. Any tips on fixing that issue next oil change?

 

New bolt and retap it.

 

Credit where credit is due. Thank you Cymon (2017)Saker (2014). I would also suggest grade 8 bolts for all the skid plates.

 

thanks. Do we know what size bolts they are before I dig through the parts diagram?

 

10mm 1.25 TRD plate
8mm 1.25 all the rest.

... For a 5th Gen.

 

Just an FYI - something worth mentioning is a tap is not the “correct” tool for this job. A tap is for cutting new threads and it’s very easy to damage existing threads using one because it’s not meant to follow existing threads, it’s meant to start cutting new threads at the first sign of resistance. A thread chaser is specifically for cleaning up and fixing existing threaded holes.

 

Where can you purchase the 10mm thread chaser for this application?
Is this tool the best and is it long enough?
Amazon Performance Tool W83163 Spark Plug Chaser, 10mm/14mm

 

No pics of dirty bolts?

 

I finally installed mine today. Threads were in rough shape. (Buried the runner on day 2 of ownership) On the plus side, the extra fascia on the Limited does away with the need to trim for gap coverage. Spent more time cleaning up than installing.

 

Does this hardware kit solve the problem?

Hardware Kit. Front Skid Plate.

Part Number: PT93800140AA
Supersession(s): PT938-00140-AA

 

My hardware fit fine. The threads were filled with crap. I used the tap, I am familiar with using taps and die and chaser. I sprayed penetrating fluid into each thread, lubed the tap, and carefully threaded and un threaded. Worked a treat. Patience.

 

Thank You!

 

This thread was very helpful -- no pun intended Thanks to everyone who contributed above, helped me out big time!

Had the very same problem with a 2020 with only 300 miles on it. Front bolts went in no problem. But the rear two bolts only went in half way, then I hit a wall. The bolts that come with the TRD skid plate are much longer than the bolts you have to remove from the factory when you install the skid plate.

Here's what worked for me:

1. Bought this tap (about $7)
2. Bought this T Handle (about $14)
3. Instead of thread cutting oil, I used WD-40. Worked for me an I already had it.
4. Sprayed the tap
5. Carefully screw in straight...as mentioned above, slow and careful.
6. You will feel some resistance, keep going. Screw in one turn, then back out 1/2 turn to release the debris. Repeat. Repeat.
7. I actually backed all the way out a few times to clean the tap and re-spray with WD-40.
8. As mentioned above, bolts go in by hand pretty easily now...just take your time!

Pics below of what I bought in case the links go bad..

 

joeman, Thank you for your post, I just bought a Venture 2020 myself and was looking for someone who installed it. one question though, any problem with going with suppressors like user V4runner showed which avoid taping?

Thanks

 

Not sure about that. Tapping was easy though...just take your time, use WD-40 or oil as described earlier. Bolts come out and go in easily after I did what I described above.

 

I just did my TRD Off Premium (no KDSS) last weekend. No thread issues. I used anti seize. It was, however, a pain in the ass to line up the holes and get them started as I am only one may with two arms and two legs. Thank goodness for the legs.

 

I just installed the TRD skid plate on my 21 SR5 P. You can get all that gunk out with a 9mm brass borebrush with cleaning solvent. It worked perfect for me and did not have to rethread the hole. After a thorough cleaning they went in easily.

 

Saker's life changing skid plate mod. Parts list to install threaded studs and acorn nuts to hold up the skid. Make mounting and removing the skid, almost enjoyable.