I know I'm a couple years late but how did they hold up? Are they worth it or would you recommend going with something thicker? I keep going back and forth on it and worried they are too thin
They are holding up really well. I have been on several rock crawling trips and the skids have helped protect the transmission and transfer case from pesky rocks. For the most part the paint is still good and no major rust. A little bit of a pain to change the oil but not too bad. Thinking of installing a Fumoto drain valve so that I can drain without removing the shield.
I really don't know. I think it should fit the 4Runner since both vehicles are so similar, but not sure about KDSS since I don't have them. You could call them to find out.
I have a 2012 TTSE and bought this same skid plate set. I am glad i came across this vid. I know I have to get rid of my diff drop. Looks like a pain every 10K miles to change the cartridge? Gotta drop the skid? I had to do that with the tin skids but these are more of a pain.thanks for the vid. Going to paint my front skid red to match.
yeah, I hear you. They are a little heavier and not looking forward to removing them either, but that is part of the fun on working on your FJ. Good idea on color matching. Thanks for the comment.
Great Video! You wouldn't happen to have a diagram of which bolts you used and where they go? I have the instructions (not that great), but I don't recall which bolts I re-used from the original skid plate. When I got an oil change they took off the skid plates and now I am missing 2 bolts in the front panel rear and 1 bolt in the middle panel front. I am not sure if they lost them or they were never installed. Even a hand drawing would be awesome. Thanks in advance.
Sorry, I don't have anything at this time. I plan on installing one of these next oil change to keep from removing the plates every time. I will take notes next time and get back to you. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D9FCRWM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I did an oil change yesterday, you comment was very timely :) It looks like I used bolts that came with the kit on the first two plates (all 8 were 1/2" with washers). doesn't look like I reused any stock bolts. Not sure what I was thinking when I made the video. Sorry for he confusion. I guess you could take one off and check HomeDepot for a replacement. Sorry I don't know the thread pitch. Also, installed the quick drain plug I mentioned earlier. Hopefully now I just have to remove the first plate to get to the oil filter.
So I have a 2010 FJ and when I was trying to install the transfer case plate I ended up snapping two bolts in the transfer case. Should I be concerned? Do I need to get these replaced? I gave up on the install after the second bolt broke. Just looking for some advice. Thanks!
They snapped as you were removing? That is weird because I think the transfer case is aluminum and should not have rusted. I guess it is possible for a leak to develop in time. Also, I don't remember the torque on it being that high on those bolts. You can ask a mechanic, or just keep an eye on it and see if it begins to drip. Yeah, I didn't like that design too much. Keep us informed.
@@FJCruiserChannel So this turned into a way bigger ordeal than I expected. I took it to 2 different mechanics who both recommended fixing and referred me to who they use for tricky bolt removal. Both of the bolt removal people did not want to touch it. One mentioned using a torch would ruin the gasket and figured that he would just make it worse. The other individual laughed and said good luck. I called my preferred mechanic back and he mentioned just drilling the bolts out and putting a nut on the backside but that would require grinding down the housing. The "best" advice of all was my call to Toyota where the service manager told me I needed a new transfer case. Fed up with all the running around I finally enlisted the help of my father, who is an engineer with a knack for fixing anything. We made a bushing with a small hole in the center that fit inside the bolt hole. This allowed us to drill perfect in the center of the broken bolt. First we tried an easy out with no luck. We slowly moved up in drill sizes until we could get a tap inside and that pushed out the remainder of the broken bolt. The second bolt we were successful with the easy out which make me feel much better that at least one of two holes still had perfect threads. I installed some new bolts from ACE and that was it! Total repair time was around 4 hours not including the time my dad took making the bushings. In the end it paid off to be patient but it was not easy and definitely frustrating.
@@matthewdietz6344 Wow, good thing you had the right help. Thanks for sharing your experience. The bushing idea is a really great one! I will have to store that in my bag of tricks. In the end, these are great life lessons and very rewarding when you complete a tough task such as this. But very frustrating and stressful at the onset. Did you give up on installing the transfer plate? I don't blame you if you did. Glad it all worked out in the end for you.
FJ Cruiser Channel as of right now the stock skid plate is on. My plan is to cut off the other two mounting points off the arb plate where I did not attempt to remove the bolts. I know it won’t be as strong butI still feel it’s an upgrade over stock. I do not want to attempt the removal of any additional t case bolts.
I'm thinking of adding this ARB skid plate on my GX470, but I have a 1" diff drop to help with the stock angle of the drive axle from a 2.5" lift. Now that you mentioned the ARB skid plate won't install right with the diff drop spacer, I'm a bit hesitant. How is your experience so far without the diff drop spacers?
I havent noticed any issue so far, however I replaced the clamshell needle bearing with a ECGS bushing. That bearing was starting to make noise even with the diff drop.
There is a hole that you can access the oil drain bolt. It is a tight space to work with, so I'm going to install this quick release oil drain valve for quicker and cleaner oil changes. This in conjunction with a drain hose will make easy and clean method to drain the oil. www.amazon.com/dp/B07D9FCRWM/?coliid=IDNL1T2K04Y5D&colid=2S9X2WIJGH73G&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
I added the quick drain yesterday. There is plenty of room for it with the skids. I think it is going to work fine, will know on the next oil change. Hopefully now I only have to remove the first plate to get to the oil filter. Still going to be a small pain in the butt, but not as bad as before.
What year is your FJ? A buddy installed these and said he had some issues with mounting and things lining up, but his is an 07. I've got an 11 and I'm considering these skids, wondered if maybe something changed for the 10+ and that's why he had issues?
Mine is a '14. The only piece was most difficult was the last section on the transmission. It would be easier with two people, but just thread the bolts a few turns and get them all in place before you tighten them. It all pulls together that way. You can still get $30 off today with Morris4x4, but I'm sure there will some 4th deals around. Good luck.
No, I have not had any issues. Just did a tire rotation, and I inspected the front end and it all looks fine. Going to continue to run this way for a while longer.
Great video found an fj and setting my build schedule thank you very much
Thanks for the video! I could not have correctly done this install on my GX460 without the camera shots & commentary.
Glad I could help!
I know I'm a couple years late but how did they hold up? Are they worth it or would you recommend going with something thicker? I keep going back and forth on it and worried they are too thin
They are holding up really well. I have been on several rock crawling trips and the skids have helped protect the transmission and transfer case from pesky rocks. For the most part the paint is still good and no major rust. A little bit of a pain to change the oil but not too bad. Thinking of installing a Fumoto drain valve so that I can drain without removing the shield.
Thanks, looks like that will work well. I would like to do the same thing. I do overland but not hard core stuff, but could use the protection.👍
This has literally save my bottom a few times! LOL...
Do you know if they fit a 5th gen 4Runner with kdss?
I really don't know. I think it should fit the 4Runner since both vehicles are so similar, but not sure about KDSS since I don't have them. You could call them to find out.
Well done sir!
Thanks very much! 👍
I have a 2012 TTSE and bought this same skid plate set. I am glad i came across this vid. I know I have to get rid of my diff drop. Looks like a pain every 10K miles to change the cartridge? Gotta drop the skid? I had to do that with the tin skids but these are more of a pain.thanks for the vid. Going to paint my front skid red to match.
yeah, I hear you. They are a little heavier and not looking forward to removing them either, but that is part of the fun on working on your FJ. Good idea on color matching. Thanks for the comment.
Great Video! You wouldn't happen to have a diagram of which bolts you used and where they go? I have the instructions (not that great), but I don't recall which bolts I re-used from the original skid plate. When I got an oil change they took off the skid plates and now I am missing 2 bolts in the front panel rear and 1 bolt in the middle panel front. I am not sure if they lost them or they were never installed. Even a hand drawing would be awesome. Thanks in advance.
Sorry, I don't have anything at this time. I plan on installing one of these next oil change to keep from removing the plates every time. I will take notes next time and get back to you.
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D9FCRWM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I did an oil change yesterday, you comment was very timely :)
It looks like I used bolts that came with the kit on the first two plates (all 8 were 1/2" with washers). doesn't look like I reused any stock bolts. Not sure what I was thinking when I made the video. Sorry for he confusion. I guess you could take one off and check HomeDepot for a replacement. Sorry I don't know the thread pitch.
Also, installed the quick drain plug I mentioned earlier. Hopefully now I just have to remove the first plate to get to the oil filter.
So I have a 2010 FJ and when I was trying to install the transfer case plate I ended up snapping two bolts in the transfer case. Should I be concerned? Do I need to get these replaced? I gave up on the install after the second bolt broke. Just looking for some advice. Thanks!
They snapped as you were removing? That is weird because I think the transfer case is aluminum and should not have rusted. I guess it is possible for a leak to develop in time. Also, I don't remember the torque on it being that high on those bolts. You can ask a mechanic, or just keep an eye on it and see if it begins to drip. Yeah, I didn't like that design too much. Keep us informed.
@@FJCruiserChannel So this turned into a way bigger ordeal than I expected. I took it to 2 different mechanics who both recommended fixing and referred me to who they use for tricky bolt removal. Both of the bolt removal people did not want to touch it. One mentioned using a torch would ruin the gasket and figured that he would just make it worse. The other individual laughed and said good luck. I called my preferred mechanic back and he mentioned just drilling the bolts out and putting a nut on the backside but that would require grinding down the housing. The "best" advice of all was my call to Toyota where the service manager told me I needed a new transfer case.
Fed up with all the running around I finally enlisted the help of my father, who is an engineer with a knack for fixing anything. We made a bushing with a small hole in the center that fit inside the bolt hole. This allowed us to drill perfect in the center of the broken bolt. First we tried an easy out with no luck. We slowly moved up in drill sizes until we could get a tap inside and that pushed out the remainder of the broken bolt. The second bolt we were successful with the easy out which make me feel much better that at least one of two holes still had perfect threads.
I installed some new bolts from ACE and that was it! Total repair time was around 4 hours not including the time my dad took making the bushings.
In the end it paid off to be patient but it was not easy and definitely frustrating.
@@matthewdietz6344 Wow, good thing you had the right help. Thanks for sharing your experience. The bushing idea is a really great one! I will have to store that in my bag of tricks. In the end, these are great life lessons and very rewarding when you complete a tough task such as this. But very frustrating and stressful at the onset. Did you give up on installing the transfer plate? I don't blame you if you did. Glad it all worked out in the end for you.
FJ Cruiser Channel as of right now the stock skid plate is on. My plan is to cut off the other two mounting points off the arb plate where I did not attempt to remove the bolts. I know it won’t be as strong butI still feel it’s an upgrade over stock. I do not want to attempt the removal of any additional t case bolts.
Did you put locktite or anything on the tcase bolts putting them back in?
Yeah, I believe I did. I usually locktite everything haha! thanks.
Appreciate the video! Do you know how much the total system weighs? I'm trying to decide between this or an aluminum plate setup.
I'm not really sure. If I had to guess I would say 50lbs max?
I would also suggest some protection for the rear differential. Whack that good on a rock and that's a whole lot of trouble.....
I'm thinking of adding this ARB skid plate on my GX470, but I have a 1" diff drop to help with the stock angle of the drive axle from a 2.5" lift. Now that you mentioned the ARB skid plate won't install right with the diff drop spacer, I'm a bit hesitant. How is your experience so far without the diff drop spacers?
I havent noticed any issue so far, however I replaced the clamshell needle bearing with a ECGS bushing. That bearing was starting to make noise even with the diff drop.
is there a port for effortless oil change or does one need to remove the panels for it?
There is a hole that you can access the oil drain bolt. It is a tight space to work with, so I'm going to install this quick release oil drain valve for quicker and cleaner oil changes. This in conjunction with a drain hose will make easy and clean method to drain the oil. www.amazon.com/dp/B07D9FCRWM/?coliid=IDNL1T2K04Y5D&colid=2S9X2WIJGH73G&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
I added the quick drain yesterday. There is plenty of room for it with the skids. I think it is going to work fine, will know on the next oil change. Hopefully now I only have to remove the first plate to get to the oil filter. Still going to be a small pain in the butt, but not as bad as before.
@@FJCruiserChannel oh a 2010 and later? Oil filter on the bottom
Is the arb steel or aluminum?
Steel.
Will this work with non arb after market bumper?
I have an non-arb aftermarket front bumper. It fits just fine.
What year is your FJ? A buddy installed these and said he had some issues with mounting and things lining up, but his is an 07. I've got an 11 and I'm considering these skids, wondered if maybe something changed for the 10+ and that's why he had issues?
Mine is a '14. The only piece was most difficult was the last section on the transmission. It would be easier with two people, but just thread the bolts a few turns and get them all in place before you tighten them. It all pulls together that way. You can still get $30 off today with Morris4x4, but I'm sure there will some 4th deals around. Good luck.
How did your buddy fit it? I just got these thinking it would work with the 07 but not even the front plate fits
What website did you buy them?
Sorry don't remember now... I believe that I said it in the video. BTW, they are still in good condition after several rock crawlings.
Any issues since you removed your front diff spacers?
No, I have not had any issues. Just did a tire rotation, and I inspected the front end and it all looks fine. Going to continue to run this way for a while longer.
FJ Cruiser Channel awesome, thank you!
How much weight does it add?
I could not find the weight of the plates on their website. I would guess about 50 to 60 lbs.
3:45 boltholes
Everyone knows a bolthole.
👍👍👍
Coupon doesn’t work
It worked at the time. Maybe see if they have a new one. They frequently have a deal going on.
dude, can you try speaking in complete sentences? your speech pattern gives me a migraine.
Its a year later. Have you grown up any or still giving people shit for no reason?