Factory Front skidplate?

[gbell210]

After reading a few posts about front skidplates being removed for draining the radiator, it got me thinking. I don't have one on my 94 LC. Am I supposed to and if anyone has a picture could they show me where it mounts? I know my 88 4runner has one, so I was a little suprised that my LC didn't, I just figured it had to do something with the solid axle maybe.
But a picture would be great since I don't have a FSM and does anyone know how much it is from the dealer if I do need one?
Thanks,
Gary

 

[OGBeno]

Hey Gary:

CruisinGA and I were just talking about this today...it's not really a skid plate but more of an engine shield like thing...IIRC its got about 5 or 6 bolts you take off and that wil give you access to the drain cock of the radiator. It's literally right underneath the two frame brackets that come up into the bumper...

I'd run out and take a picture but my batteries ran out after taking pictures of my work all day long.

I'm going to be doing this job on Friday AM (along with the PHH, thermostat)...

Get the FSM from CDan...I think it runs about $70 or so...definitely worth the investment indeed...Your dealer might charge you more...eBay has them but I'm not sure they are the real thing or not. Another option is to download it from the Toy. tech website for $10 I believe...but it'll take an entire day to organize .pdfs...check out the FAQ about it in the 80's section above.

best regards.
-onur

 

[gbell210]

Thanks,
But I don't have the factory bumper either And I do plan to buy the FSM from CDAN, and any other little parts I'll be needing. Just trying to gather all of them at once instead of lots of little orders. If you could take a shot tomorrow or whenever you get batteries that would be great. If not at least let me know if it would be visible in this picture:

Also, is there supposed to be some type of skid plate mounted to these tabs too? Or what is their function (circled in red):

-Gary

 

[CruisinGA]

I do not believe you have the splash guard, Gary. Hard to tell from your angle, but I do not see the bolt heads that would be holding it to the frame.

 

[Darwood]

The splash guard is just above the steering stablizer, right behind the crossmember that the radiator is attached to. It's about as wide as the frame rails and about 8-10 inches or so long.

 

[landtank]

After reading a few posts about front skidplates being removed for draining the radiator, it got me thinking.

Who the hell does this?

The radiator is set up to drain through the frame. All you do is remove the rad cap and crack open the plug. There is a whole where the plug screrws into that faces down to allow the fluid to pass through the crossmember and into a bucket.

Crawl under there and take a look, works great!

 

[MoJ]

My 94 was missing the splash guard as well. Contact Slee. They had a few laying around when I called and sold me one for peanuts.

 

[stayalert]

mines hanging on the wall in my garage. I snapped a few of the fasteners when I removed it (when I repalced the radiator) and nevwe got round to replacing it....

 

[OGBeno]

Hey Landtank...I actually have to take mine off to get to the drain cock on the radiator. With the shield on, I can't get to the drain cock--it's not clearly visible at all. Bailey and I were trying to look for it and couldn't find it with the shield on. After Bailey left, I lowered the shield and there she was ready to have at'em...

Best.
-onur