Skirts or no skirts?

[verruckt1]

As I was doing the PHH and rad/block flush recently, I found it easier to reach into the engine area from the drivers side wheel well. In doing so, I removed the skirts and push plugs on the drivers side wheel well (items 2,3,4 & 5) in the attached picture.

The center one was ripped up pretty good. I'd prefer not to replace it if it's not necessary. Anyone take these skirts (inner seals in official Toyota lingo) off and do you see any negative side effects? Side effects like a more dirty engine area, cooling changes due to airflow differences, rocks flying up into the engine compartment, etc. I am just trying to see if there are any grossly negative effects with removing the skirts altogether. Thanks folks.

 

[medtro]

I drive mine without skirts for 9+ years. Can't comment on cooling comparison since I didn't have them to start with. I am not aware of any problem without the skirts, and keep in mind I am not a mechanic.

 

[verruckt1]

Thanks Medtro!

 

[kdxman]

Managed to remove mine the first time I took it off the pavement. Haven't had any problems so far

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I was without skirts is my early Land Cruiser years but now skirts.

 

[murf]

my drivers side is skirted and pass side missing one or two. ill get around to replacing them some day

 

[LongDuck]

Replacing them was one of the first projects I did on my LC, as the PO offered me a set of custom cut rubber skirts that he hadn't gotten around to installing. Easy enough to install, and there must be a reason why Toyota decided to manufacture the car to use them - so mine will remain.

Nothing super-secret to it, you could probably cut an innertube to the right shape and it would serve the same purpose. Maybe it's there for water crossings... but who knows?

 

[Rudster]

I prefer skirts

 

[murf]

I have noticed that the rear passenger side new skirt will rub on the hot exhaust manifold drop pipe and burn a hole on the edge. Is it just my 80 or is this seen by others?

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I dont believe there is a skirt piece for US 80 there. Only because I have never seen an 80 with one.

 

[murf]

burnt off into two pieces and fell off?

 

[verruckt1]

Thanks for all of the replies folks. I was going to replace them with rubber sheet type material. Shoppers in Chandler sells it by the foot. Then I started to wonder if the OEM ones are infused with another material to make them heat resistant and stiffer as they are within the engine compartment and I'm sure they get warm. I'll probably order up the OEM one that I trashed and go with full skirts.