Diff Drop spacer on stock skid plate
#1
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Diff Drop spacer on stock skid plate
Hey gang,
Question for those with diff drop and OEM skid plate:
Does the addition of spacers cause any grief when you take your truck in for an oil change? In other words, when the guy pulls the plate, do the spacers fall off the bolts and get lost? How do you handle this.... just tell the tech to watch for the spacers and remember to replace?
I'll have my drop installed on Friday.
Merry Christmas to you all.
Bruce in Vancouver
A2B in a TLC
Question for those with diff drop and OEM skid plate:
Does the addition of spacers cause any grief when you take your truck in for an oil change? In other words, when the guy pulls the plate, do the spacers fall off the bolts and get lost? How do you handle this.... just tell the tech to watch for the spacers and remember to replace?
I'll have my drop installed on Friday.
Merry Christmas to you all.
Bruce in Vancouver
A2B in a TLC
#4
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Will have some spacers under one end of the skid plate that would not be there stock. Might be able to use some good adhesive or tack weld them to the back of the skid plate to avoid loosing them at the oil change place. Or else just pull the skid plate off before taking it into the shop.
#5
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Just buy a quick drain valve (with nipple), stick 6" of clear hose on it, and never worry about having to pull that skidplate again.
http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/
http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/
#6
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I like the quick drain. May go for it.
I have done many, many oil changes over the years. Not always practical or cheaper than a Mr Lube, etc.
Bruce
A2B in a TLC
I have done many, many oil changes over the years. Not always practical or cheaper than a Mr Lube, etc.
Bruce
A2B in a TLC
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right here Teuf
http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/Pr...ductCode=F103N
http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/Pr...ductCode=F103N
#10
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right here Teuf
http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/Pr...ductCode=F103N
http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/Pr...ductCode=F103N
#11
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the diff drop spacer is attached to the bolts holding the front diff and is being held in place by those two bolts. These two bolts are bolted to the frame to keep the differential in place. The skid plate is bolted to the frame using six bolts that are independent of the two bolts holding the diff drop. hence, the diff drop doesn't drop off when you remove the skid plate.
Last edited by KZN185W; 12-23-2010 at 05:24 AM.
#12
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the diff drop spacer is attached to the bolts holding the front diff and is being held in place by those two bolts. These two bolts are bolted to the frame to keep the differential in place. The skid plate is bolted to the frame using six bolts that are independent of the two bolts holding the diff drop. hence, the diff drop doesn't drop off when you remove the skid plate.
And thats what the OP is referring to being lost
#13
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I used a diff drop with my stock skid.
I did not use any spacers to lower the skid.
Here is how I did it.
*mark where the diff bolts/mounts hit the skid
*cut the bracing off the back of the skid
*test fit
*if you still need more room, lay the skid in the grass and pound on those two spots with a big hammer till it fits
I did not use any spacers to lower the skid.
Here is how I did it.
*mark where the diff bolts/mounts hit the skid
*cut the bracing off the back of the skid
*test fit
*if you still need more room, lay the skid in the grass and pound on those two spots with a big hammer till it fits
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Thanks for all the suggestions.
Diff drop installed. Kind of generic; ordered by the alignment shop.
This all started when I went to get an alignment after 1" top plate spacer installed, had other suspension issues, and asked them to do the diff drop at the same time while the plate was off. Spacers looked to be about 2 cm plus the washers.
In the end, there was no problem with elongating the holes on the OEM skid plate. And to the point - the install did not require spacers for the plate.
BTW, liftwise I am now at 37 1/4" to the wheel well rim front & rear. 23 1/2" front hub centre to wheel well rim.
Merry Christmas,
Bruce
Diff drop installed. Kind of generic; ordered by the alignment shop.
This all started when I went to get an alignment after 1" top plate spacer installed, had other suspension issues, and asked them to do the diff drop at the same time while the plate was off. Spacers looked to be about 2 cm plus the washers.
In the end, there was no problem with elongating the holes on the OEM skid plate. And to the point - the install did not require spacers for the plate.
BTW, liftwise I am now at 37 1/4" to the wheel well rim front & rear. 23 1/2" front hub centre to wheel well rim.
Merry Christmas,
Bruce
#16
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Just buy a quick drain valve (with nipple), stick 6" of clear hose on it, and never worry about having to pull that skidplate again.
http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/
http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/
Last edited by survivorman97; 12-24-2010 at 12:44 PM.
#17
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If I had a stock skid, maybe.
But even then, the impact would have to be so great that it bends that 1/8" stock skid back far enough to bend it as well as far enough to contact the quick drain. And then you'd be dealing with the copper drain valve bending or even shearing, as well as the trying to make the oil pan give up its grip on the plug.
That would be a worst case scenario that I couldn't see happening unless you just suck at driving.
#18
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To answer the original question, yes it is a pain.
However, since you only need to change your oil a minimum of 3,000 miles its not that big of a deal.
I installed the Toytec diff-drop and it came with 2 spacers for the factory skids. I ended up notching the factory skid, using the 2 supplied spacers and made 2 more out of some metal sleeve I had laying around.
I pull the skids anyway when I change my oil otherwise it makes a mess when I pull the filter. Last time I tried to leave the rear one on and I layed the front one underneath it after I removed it. This actually made more of a mess cause the oil from the filter drained on the rear skid then dripped down on the front one underneath it. Oops.
Anyways, it takes me an extra 5 minutes to make sure all the spacers are in place when mounting the skids so its still pretty easy. That and I dont drive much so I only change the oil twice a year.
Oh, and since the signature isnt showing up I have a 3rd gen 4runner, the 85' is long gone.
However, since you only need to change your oil a minimum of 3,000 miles its not that big of a deal.
I installed the Toytec diff-drop and it came with 2 spacers for the factory skids. I ended up notching the factory skid, using the 2 supplied spacers and made 2 more out of some metal sleeve I had laying around.
I pull the skids anyway when I change my oil otherwise it makes a mess when I pull the filter. Last time I tried to leave the rear one on and I layed the front one underneath it after I removed it. This actually made more of a mess cause the oil from the filter drained on the rear skid then dripped down on the front one underneath it. Oops.
Anyways, it takes me an extra 5 minutes to make sure all the spacers are in place when mounting the skids so its still pretty easy. That and I dont drive much so I only change the oil twice a year.
Oh, and since the signature isnt showing up I have a 3rd gen 4runner, the 85' is long gone.
Last edited by 85 PICKUP; 12-25-2010 at 08:01 AM.
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I would suggest doing your own maintenance, you will save money, and never be talked into replacing or fixing something that is completely fine. Glad you got the diff drop in. I had one from fat bobs garage on my 97 runner.
#20
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With my heavy duty skid row skidplate, no.
If I had a stock skid, maybe.
But even then, the impact would have to be so great that it bends that 1/8" stock skid back far enough to bend it as well as far enough to contact the quick drain. And then you'd be dealing with the copper drain valve bending or even shearing, as well as the trying to make the oil pan give up its grip on the plug.
That would be a worst case scenario that I couldn't see happening unless you just suck at driving.
If I had a stock skid, maybe.
But even then, the impact would have to be so great that it bends that 1/8" stock skid back far enough to bend it as well as far enough to contact the quick drain. And then you'd be dealing with the copper drain valve bending or even shearing, as well as the trying to make the oil pan give up its grip on the plug.
That would be a worst case scenario that I couldn't see happening unless you just suck at driving.
http://www.amazon.com/Fumoto-S-Type-...f=pd_rhf_p_t_4