Susceptible to damage without a crossmember

[Deleted User 1813921]

I came very close to smashing the radiator and intercooler last Saturday while traversing a small creek entering the forest. I had a stack of firewood I was too lazy to carry. The banks of the creek were steeper then I thought and ripped back the “snow plow” and scraped the lower front bumper valance. Also the skid plate was bent upwards on the two mounting tabs. If the impact was one inch higher it would have pushed skid plate into radiator and intercooler crushing them. This would not have been a problem if crossmember was protecting by running underneath the radiator and intercooler. I do not recommend making any contact with skid plate on non crossmember Tacoma. I have removed the “snow plow” and will be ordering a crossmember and I am shopping front bumpers and skid plates. The ark full size mudguards can take serious abuse and showed no sign of being ripped off from driving in thick brush and tall growth. Very cool crossmember is available for 39.99

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[Sner]

I thought the first thing that owners of a 4G Tacoma equipped with that air dam did was remove it as soon as they got home from the dealer.

 

[Goriders]

I thought the first thing that owners of a 4G Tacoma equipped with that air dam did was remove it as soon as they got home from the dealer.

I did

 

[Deleted User 1813921]

I thought the first thing that owners of a 4G Tacoma equipped with that air dam did was remove it as soon as they got home from the dealer.

I had intended to leave “snow plow” on and was doing light off road with it but one creek crossing was a lil extreme. Toyota apparently is under the impression any one with a non crossmember model Tacoma will not be doing any off road even in the slightest. This experience opened my eyes to how exposed the radiator and Intercooler are. With an added crossmember and even the upgraded oem Toyota skid plates you would then safely be able to do light amateur ”wheeling”.

 

[Goriders]

I’m debating buying the cross member and skid plate. Just haven’t gotten around to it yet. I’m strictly pavement and graded roads so far so not super worried.

 

[Sner]

I had intended to leave “snow plow” on and was doing light off road with it but one creek crossing was a lil extreme. Toyota apparently is under the impression any one with a non crossmember model Tacoma will not be doing any off road even in the slightest. This experience opened my eyes to how exposed the radiator and Intercooler are. With an added crossmember and even the upgraded oem Toyota skid plates you would then safely be able to do light amateur ”wheeling”.

It’s interesting that Toyota feels the driver of a OR Tacoma and those of a sport Tacoma are that different

 

[WKTJR1]

Toyota is going to produce the truck to achieve a certain price point based on their marketing studies. As with all manufacturers, if you want something more capable off-road, they can provide that—at a higher price point.

 

[oxi]

I installed the Victory front skid plate on my TRD Sport 6MT. It was practically my first project, lower front protection. Some on here attacked because I had a "street" truck and did not need a front skid plate.

I have been driving Toyota trucks for over 30 years, if it is a 4x4, it is not a street truck. Bottom line, basic protection and retrieval are the first things you should mod besides better and if you seek, larger tires.

Images:

original felt thing up front...

notice bug hits underneath front cross-member...

installed Victory plate and boom, everything resolved...

 

[Sner]

Toyota is going to produce the truck to achieve a certain price point based on their marketing studies. As with all manufacturers, if you want something more capable off-road, they can provide that—at a higher price point.

Difference in price between a sport and an off road is really insignificant. One has the cross member and one doesn’t. Think the difference (if memory when I bought in
Canada) was $500.00 between the two trims with the OR being more.

 

[Deleted User 1813921]

I installed the Victory front skid plate on my TRD Sport 6MT. It was practically my first project, lower front protection. Some on here attacked because I had a "street" truck and did not need a front skid plate.

I have been driving Toyota trucks for over 30 years, if it is a 4x4, it is not a street truck. Bottom line, basic protection and retrieval are the first things you should mod besides better and if you seek, larger tires.

Images:

original felt thing up front...

notice bug hits underneath front cross-member...

installed Victory plate and boom, everything resolved...

This is a great option that does not require the crossmember. Thank you for sharing. Is yours the steel or aluminum version?

 

[Deleted User 1813921]

Here is a view after snow plow was removed and bent the tabs of skid plate down by hand. That lower valance is Rashed up! From bottom of creek bed. Also behind view of recovery points where crossmember should be. I feel lucky to not have caused more damage.

 

[bresna]

I thought the first thing that owners of a 4G Tacoma equipped with that air dam did was remove it as soon as they got home from the dealer.

I have looked at it but I'm worried that the wheel liner felt piece might get damaged if I do. I was hoping someone was going to come up with a way to protect that liner so I can do this.

 

[Sner]

I have looked at it but I'm worried that the wheel liner felt piece might get damaged if I do. I was hoping someone was going to come up with a way to protect that liner so I can do this.

Think you need to do some searches on YouTube. MANY videos of them coming off. Was the basis of my comment, that many people can’t be wrong. It’s VERY well documented 9 screw and off it comes.

 

[Deleted User 1813921]

I have looked at it but I'm worried that the wheel liner felt piece might get damaged if I do. I was hoping someone was going to come up with a way to protect that liner so I can do this.

I left the bolts that held the felt installed. I do not do any highway driving. Just mostly Grateful Dead put to town. That felt is ridiculous.

 

[oxi]

This is a great option that does not require the crossmember. Thank you for sharing. Is yours the steel or aluminum version?

Bauxite (aluminum) to keep weight down

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