BajaNomad

Trail Armor for Toyota Tacoma Question

Ken Cooke - 12-9-2005 at 07:41 PM

Ivan has a Toyota Tacoma TRD and wonders if skid plating is available for the oil pan as he will be participating in the Pole Line Trail run in late Dec.

Ivan is driving clear from Denver, CO to participate in this run, and any sort of carnage will prevent his drive home. Any suggestions???:?:


soulpatch - 12-9-2005 at 07:44 PM

Wow, that's not stock on a TRD? Go figure.
My wife's little Isuzu Rodeo has a lot of that stuff stock. It's been a good, troublefree ride for us down south. However, we have done NOTHING that looks like what you have done.

Tacoma

John M - 12-9-2005 at 08:04 PM

Get a Jeep!

John M

Ken Cooke - 12-9-2005 at 08:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by John M
Get a Jeep!

John M



Blasphemy!

The TRD made easy work of the Pole Line Rd. in April...

bajalou - 12-9-2005 at 08:33 PM

Any off road shop ought to be able to fabricate one for him - Save lots in repairs

:rolleyes:

Fab shop

John M - 12-9-2005 at 09:26 PM

In spite of my smart a$$ comment, BajaLou is right. I just got an estimate of $180 for a real cool custom fab skid plate - well worth the investment. john

ursidae69 - 12-9-2005 at 09:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Ivan has a Toyota Tacoma TRD and wonders if skid plating is available for the oil pan as he will be participating in the Pole Line Trail run in late Dec.


My TRD came with the skid plating. Maybe a dealer can order you one. there are also several fabricators at the TTORA board that could make one. Good luck.

Ken Cooke - 12-9-2005 at 11:19 PM

Does the stock TRD plating protect that vehicle's oil pan?




[Edited on 12-10-2005 by Ken Cooke]

TMW - 12-10-2005 at 10:48 AM

David is in Baja or he would be better to answer this on a Tacoma. On my 93 Toyota the oil pan sets up higher like maybe 4 or 5 inches that the front cross member and does not need a skid plate. I don't think Toyota changed the engine/frame positions on the Tacoma from the older style. Have him look under and see. If it looks like he does need one even just for peace of mind, go to a used metal shop and get a 1/4 inch piece of aluminum cut to the size he needs and just bolt it to the underframe. Cost maybe $30 with bolts. He would have to drill the holes to match the frame or use a hook type bolt.

TMW - 12-10-2005 at 10:50 AM

Ken don't forget to bring a bar of soap and Quik JB Weld for just such problems.

ursidae69 - 12-10-2005 at 12:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Does the stock TRD plating protect that vehicle's oil pan?


Yes it does. The only thing no covered well is the transfer case, but it is tucked up pretty high. The skid plates are not all that sturdy, but for a hard trail here and there they are fine.

Neal Johns - 12-10-2005 at 10:10 PM

The stock TRD skid plates are sheet metal but are reinforced on the top with welded hat sections so they are quite tough. I had trouble getting mine straight using an eight pound sledge after Marian took a detour in Utah.
She ended up with the front wheels in the ditch on the right side of the pic. Broken radiator bottom (plastic). The camper was bolted to the bed. Popped the spot welds holding the bed to the crossmember/chassis. The cabover then dented the top of the cab. Towed 30 miles by a Hummer 2. Oh, the shame!

[Edited on 12-11-2005 by Neal Johns]

TMW - 12-11-2005 at 11:39 AM

I took a look at my 93 and it's not the engine oil pan but the automatic transmission oil pan that's more open. Part of it is covered by the front diff. and drive shaft and the stablizer bar. Probably wouldn't hurt to install a cross brace just for the heck of it.

Ken Cooke - 12-11-2005 at 05:13 PM



I will put the winch to work, and just move perilous rocks out of the way of the Tacoma as needed. I figure that's what I spent the $$ for, and that's the least I can do to make sure Ivan returns home to Colorado in timely fashion...

Neal Johns - 12-11-2005 at 08:35 PM

Real Tacoma skidplates:




[Edited on 12-12-2005 by Neal Johns]

bajaxplorer - 12-12-2005 at 06:34 AM

I have the original skid plates off of my '02 D/C if he wants to swing through Phoenix on his way south. What year is his Tacoma? Which model, although I suspect the skids are the same for all models '01-'04.
BTW, the skidplates are standard issue on the TRD option in '01-'04 I'm sure. If his is an earlier model (pre '01), or '05-'06 mine would not fit.
BX

[Edited on 12-12-2005 by bajaxplorer]

David K - 12-12-2005 at 08:50 AM

Yes, skids are standard on Toyota TRD Tacoma... Just back from Baja guys!

Ken, is there a more rocky grade than 'The Widowmaker' of Mision Santa Maria, on the Pole Line Road?


David K - 12-12-2005 at 08:52 AM

Here's Fishunter's older Toyota truck coming down the Widowmaker that day in 2003...

David K - 12-12-2005 at 08:58 AM

and my stock '01 Tacoma coming up a couple days later...


Ken Cooke - 12-12-2005 at 05:50 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Yes, skids are standard on Toyota TRD Tacoma... Just back from Baja guys!

Ken, is there a more rocky grade than 'The Widowmaker' of Mision Santa Maria, on the Pole Line Road?






The Pole Line Road features what we call, "Oil Pan Wash" where sharp rocks protrude from the desert floor and have cut open a stock oil pan on a Jeep during our last run. Here, you have a Rubicon with standard 8.5" ground clearance struggling for a safe path. Of course, the Basketball Hill section is as bad as ever. Once again, several of us have winches, and will be pulling boulders out of the way to let the smaller rigs drive through.

Also, the endless arroyo crossings of Canyon Jaquegel, and the backside of Jaquegel Mtn. is literally covered in rocks. The place is a rock garden set on the side of a hill. Neal will tell you the same! :o


Ken Cooke - 12-12-2005 at 06:00 PM

Here's another picture of the backside of Jaquegel Mtn. Its in poor shape, and I bet with the recent rains, it has only degraded more since April '05. Mickey in his Ford Ranger with 35" Big O tires, and Baja Explorer follows in his heavily built Toyota Tacoma. The trail was a tough one. Just ask these guys...


bajataco - 12-14-2005 at 07:41 PM

Man, I would love to do that one some day.

Neal, I'm so sorry to hear about the carnage! :no:

As has been mentioned, the stock plates are up to a fair amount of abuse. If there will be some serious slamming and full body weight on the skid, then some good aftermarket skids are www.budbuilt.com (as Neal mentioned) and www.demello-offroad.com and www.offroadsolutions.com is on CO.

[Edited on 12-15-2005 by bajataco]

Ken Cooke - 12-14-2005 at 07:46 PM

Baja Taco,

I've reviewed your website over the past month, and I'm impressed by all of the places you have been.

Fortunately, Ivan will not be resting the entire weight of his vehicle on the stock skid plates, so I am sure the stockers will be sufficient. We will be winching the larger rocks out of everyone's way in order that there will not be any damage sustained and Ivan makes it back to Colorado in 1 piece.

David K - 12-14-2005 at 10:14 PM

Neal was right... Jeep owners ARE good trail clearers!!!

bajaxplorer - 12-15-2005 at 07:24 AM

I assume that my earlier post/offer of stock skidplates was seen and there is no interest in them.
BX

TMW - 12-15-2005 at 08:06 AM

Bajaxplorer, are you coming down to Bajalou's turkey feast?

David K - 12-15-2005 at 08:22 AM

Bajaxplorer... it was fun seeing you in Dust To Glory (standing with Coco)!

bajaxplorer - 12-15-2005 at 11:58 AM

!Ola Tomas!
No sir, we will be in Bahia for the festivities.
But, it would be nice to see you and Shirley.
Happy Holidays!!!
BX

Ken Cooke - 12-15-2005 at 05:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaxplorer
I assume that my earlier post/offer of stock skidplates was seen and there is no interest in them.
BX


I will ask Ivan this evening if he is interested in them.

TMW - 12-15-2005 at 06:19 PM

Happy Holidays to you too Mike and to all the Nomads.

bajataco - 12-18-2005 at 07:45 PM

Thanks Ken ;D

Be sure to leave at least a few of those rocks to make it interesting the next time :cool:

Have an awesome journey!!

Ken Cooke - 12-19-2005 at 07:17 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajataco
Thanks Ken ;D

Be sure to leave at least a few of those rocks to make it interesting the next time :cool:

Have an awesome journey!!



Jeepers can be lazy ppl. Plan on finding a good number of rocks at Basketball Hill to play on in future trips through that region.