plasma cutter near seattle
 

My TJM bumper/winch has made it impossible to remove my front budbuilt skidplate.
(92 4runner). Therefore, it's impossible to do an oil change. Not good. Deathcougar recommends that I need a plasma cutter to burn 2 holes (not in the TJM bumper, just next to the holes that are already in the stock frame) Deathcougar I am sure you can explain this better than I can! If you see this thead...thanks!
But, to make a long story short, I have to change my oil before the end of the month. If anyone near Seattle can help me with a plama cutter to get the skid off withOUT destroying it that would be great. I would prefer that there be neat access holes so the skid can be removed anytime, with no loss of strength...

Where are you trying to cut holes??

I can change my oil with my BudBuilt skid on no problems. Do you have a 3.0?

The budbuilt by itself is fine. My problem is that I have the older BB skid w/o oil change holes, and that the tjm bumper blocks the upper bolt acccess so I'd have to remove the bumper and winch in order to change oil (out of the question!). Apparently 2 little access holes (not in the tjm) will make everything better. still looking for someone near seattle w/plasma. help! must change the oil before the end of the month.

if you go slow not to heat up a hole saw drill bit you can drill the holes out just make sure to get a bi metal bit and go slow with the drilling. if you get the bit hot it will change the temper and the bit will be toast.

pics of where I need holes cut
 

This post is useless without pics, so I took some yesterday to give you guys an idea of where I need the 2 holes punched so the skidplate can be removed. It looks like it's the TJM bumper mount that's in the way of the top budbuild bolts. There are already a series of holes punched in this mount, it would be a continuation of these holes on each side (one additional hole needed on the left, one on the right). Would this weaken the bumper configuation in your opinion to have an additional hole in there? It looks like it should be OK.
The budbuilt skid is trapped under that TJM mount, therefore no oil changes.

Here goes.

[IMG]http://img.skitch.com/20090719-myyww...5s.preview.jpg
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[IMG]http://img.skitch.com/20090719-f5miu...qe.preview.jpg
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[IMG]http://img.skitch.com/20090719-mjt4s...39.preview.jpg
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[IMG]http://img.skitch.com/20090719-d56cn...s5.preview.jpg
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[IMG]http://img.skitch.com/20090719-mq91n...kq.preview.jpg
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I could torch holes for ya but they wont look as purty as the ones already there

x2 on the hole saw. the bumper is thin, the hole saw will leave you with nice looking and round hole. plasma won't be much cleaner than a torch, the powder coat on those bumpers is nasty and a great insulator.

I got it taken care of! You guys were right, plasma torch was not the best way. I got put in touch with Machinists Inc. in the industrial district. They are a big operation, and open evenings, until 1am which was very convenient. They were very cool, for those near Seattle they are an excellent resource and can make/do anything. They used a carbide hole saw as you predicted cymon and rivercat and I think they did a very clean job, hope to hear your thoughts. They matched it to the socket to make sure that it could be removed. Since then I got the skid off and had the oil/filter changed, problem solved, thanks so much for your help everybody.

[IMG]http://img.skitch.com/20090728-k5end...mr.preview.jpg
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[IMG]http://img.skitch.com/20090728-f8m12...qx.preview.jpg
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x2 - a lot easier than dealing with trying to get the skid all lined up again.

How do you guys change the oil with your budbuilt skids on? I don't have any hole for the oil change on mine...