A few weeks ago I installed a bud built skid plate on my 96 4runner and I'm wondering a few things. The back of the skid plate where it comes up behind the sway bar it sits pretty dang close to a few engine/drive train compents (around where it bolts to the frame). Is that normal? I've thought about using a few washers for a spacer. Would there be any problems with that.

The other thing that I wondering is how hard is it to do an oil change with the skid palte on. Where it's at know it seems to me that it is going to be a pain to do an oil change. Do you guys just take the skid plate off when you do an oil change, or do you use some sort of tool as to not make a mess? I'm going to be taking it down to pep boys or big-o and let them deal with it but in the future I'll be doing my own oil changes again and was wondering this.

 

I have the full skid, (IFS box and Tranny/transfercase) I have no clearence issues with anything. As for changing the oil, I'll just take it off to cut down the mess.

 

You can probably space them some if you're worried about it. As far as oil changes I pull up on something to get the truck at an angle so it runs off the side and have figured out where it runs into the pan (yours might not come together like mine do though). Mine are too mangled so they are a pain to take on and off so I had to figure out a way to do it without removing them.

 

For draining the pan, check out the Fram Suredrain. Its a quick disconnect with a tube that reduces splash/mess. You can install it and use it through the hole in the Budbuilt. I've been using one for about two years.

You'll still have to come up with something for the filter. I use the upper half of a oil bottle with a tube out the spout, inverted under the filter. Works decent.