83

Anyone have the specs for the front bolts of the front skid plate? The ones that attach under the front bumper. Mine somehow all rattled out. I guess I'd need bolt size and thread pitch info.

It's sure nice already having it off when I go to change my oil...but I figure I should probably have it on.

Malcolm99

M8 x 1.25 i believe, probably 20mm, not quite sure of the length, very common pitch and thread used in the automotive industry, you could pull another bolt from somewhere and go in to match it up to be sure is best. Surprised they would have rattled out unless the where left loose.

Nervo19

Nearly every body bolt I've had to buy for my Tacomas and 4Runners have been 8 x 1.25 so I'd try those. I have never had to buy those particular bolts though.

83

Alright, thanks! The ones that attach the front skid plate to the rear plate are a smaller size, so there's some variation, but I'll bet you're basically right.

When I bought the truck, it was missing one of them. That seems to have allowed enough vibration, especially with all the dirt & washboard road I drive, to slowly loosen the other bolts. One by one, they've all fallen out...Every now and then when I'd change the oil, I'd notice another gone. There might have been some amount of me not tightening them enough, but I think the movement that missing one of the bolts allowed was the biggest cause of the others rattling out. Either way, I'll be sure to tighten them a lot from now on.

Malcolm99

Never had an issue with bolts coming loose on my 3 4R's, had one bolt broke off by the PO, 2 bolts held the skid in place on rough roads, off road, side roads, never an issue, and I always use so much anti-seize I look like the tin man afterwards, so vote for another grunt when you tighten things up. I take the skids off in one piece annually for there check up, it makes it easier to install, they should all be the same type thread, I have buckets of bolts salvaged from other projects on hand so I have never had to shop for metric stuff..

83

Guess I just need to be tougher!

I wouldn't even take them off, except I don't like all the oil they end up catching when I drain it.

83

Bolts worked, thanks for the input.

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

Mine came off first oil change then thrown out in the scrap .

Malcolm99

Most people don't remove the skid for oil changes, you reach through the fender well... The skid plate keeps a lot of trash from getting on your pulleys and tensioners, especially during winter and water crossings, its 5 bolts and you drop both skid plates at once and leave them together, takes 10 mins to take it off and put it back on, Toyota even provided hooks at the front to assist you on install so you can do it alone. Never throw Good hardware away, the stuff is expensive at 1.50 each and an hour drive away.