Is there a reason why most of the IFS trucks and 4runners are missing the front skid plate? It doesn't make sense to me why someone would take it off, and leave it off, unless it got really messed up or something. I mean, without it, the aluminum front diff cover, oil pan, and steering linkages are exposed incoming objects.

 

I could be wrong about this but I don't think ALL of them came with the skid plate. I believe that the base models didnt come with them.

 

Happy 100th post, by the way

 

yeah not all come with skid plates you r right^

-matt

 

well... maybe they didn't mean to remove it. It doesn't really serve much purpose beyond decoration as its only maybe 1/16" thick and mounted with 4 rusty 8mm bolts. You're steering stuff, oil pan, and front diff are all protected pretty well by the front cross member.

 

My 1990 base model doesn't have so is it safe for me to assume that it never had one?

 

Just because it doesnt have one now doesnt mean it never had one before We are talking about 15+ year old vehicles. Those stock skids are pretty weak. I crunched the skid on my '93 in some packed snow. They do help keep stuff off the lower engine and steering, but won't stop a boulder from smashing the crap outta your IFS

AFAIK, all '86-'95 trucks/4runners came with a front skid. Where did you hear/read base models didnt?

 

Some people just may have taken them off and never put them back on, lost the bolts, thought it looked ugly (I think it looks ugly WITHOUT the IFS skid ) crunched it, etc.

 

i bent my valance after i smacked into a dumpster last year...
Took it off, hated seeing the ugly skid plate.
painted the skidplate black, still hated it, and now it's off until i either A) sell the truck, or B) do an SAS..

plus, it was really wimpy. i'll probably put it back on before winter though, just so i don't freeze up my CV boots.

 

my stock skidplate holds up to rocks. but i have a bunch of square tubing that makes it stronger. it turned out allright and it was cheaper than going and buying 1/8" plate and making a new one.

 

The 5 old Toyota's I had before this one all had skidplates, I just have a hard time figuring out why someone would take a skid plate off?

It seems like some protection is better than nothing..

 

because doing front end work, and other stuff, is alot easier with that off.

 

still mounted with 8mm bolts that are all rusty most likely.

 

I took mine of for a bit, thought it would run cooler, hates the look. So its back on. Antway the live axle set up is exposed to smacks, i think the IFS would be ok uncoverd as well, still it looks od.

 

OOOOPs meant Odd

 

Mine are certainly not rusted.

 

4x 8mm!! 4500lbs truck+ any contact with anything remotely hard and its toast.

 

well mine is not dented up or anything..and i've hit some stumps with it..LOL..

i'll probably go to the high school that i attended and "steal" (of course i'll ask first..duh) some 1/8" thick steel diamond plate..take it to a buddy and we can bend it up..cut some holes in it and such...ohh yea...bitchin..LOL wont do it to the '86 though..but i gotta go it to the '92 runner..it looks stupid without one

 

I agree the stock skid plate is just for looks. My step-father's '91 4runner didn't come with one. He got one to distract from the horrifyingly dented front valence.

 

Well, unless it's a 16lb possum at 50mph. *clang*