[superwhite]

Here is a brief explanation on how I made an easy access door to the 5.7 oil filter.
I lowered the engine shield and inserted an extension into the filter drain plug with some wet rtv on the end. I then raised the shield up to the extension and the RTV left a mark so I had a center point. Using that I made a 5" square hole with a side grinder with a cutting wheel. I did not want to cut into the center brace so that was one of the landmarks for that side. I the took some flat aluminum strips and using a large hamer handle i gently tapped it with another hammer to match the shield's curve. I attached the aluminum strips to the piece that was cut out using stainless button head bolts. Once attached I placed it on the shield and drilled holes thru the aluminum strips and the shield. I then slipped speed nuts on and over the drilled holes and fastened the new access door with stainless bolts and flat washers. All sharp edges were sanded with a flapper sanding wheel on a Dremel. I painted the entire assembly to prevent rust and used anti seize on the bolts.

 

[wildbill23c]

Now patent that and sell it to Toyota since they were too dumb to do that in the first place.

Anyone know how much that skid plate weighs? Kind of want to do an oil change myself at least once so I know exactly how to do it in case there's a time I really need to do it myself so I can get stuff I need to do it now not try to rush and do things at the last second.

 

[Azblue]

Nice clean looking job. I don't have a skid on my 14, but my 2000 does and I got so sick of dropping it to take the filter off, I started saving old towels and rugs to put under the filter on top of the skid to absorb the oil instead of taking the skid off.

 

[Wynnded]

Anyone know how much that skid plate weighs?

Maybe what, 15 pounds?

 

[wildbill23c]

Maybe what, 15 pounds?

Going to have words with my dealer. They told me it weight close to 150 pounds LOL. Damn thing looks like its plastic...well it did when it was new, it sure dents easily for supposedly being a skid plate. Any aftermarket skid plate options that are a bit heavier and actually protect the front end components. Tons of vulnerable stuff up front that the skid plate covers.

 

[Wynnded]

Going to have words with my dealer. They told me it weight close to 150 pounds LOL. Damn thing looks like its plastic...well it did when it was new, it sure dents easily for supposedly being a skid plate. Any aftermarket skid plate options that are a bit heavier and actually protect the front end components. Tons of vulnerable stuff up front that the skid plate covers.

Your dealer may have been spending too much time huffing starting fluid.

If you're interested in a 150 pound skid system, this may be what you're looking for.

BudBuilt

 

[superwhite]

I would guess around 10 lbs? Strictly speaking it is not a skid plate, the more accurate description would be a splash shield

 

[Dace555]

Now patent that and sell it to Toyota since they were too dumb to do that in the first place.

Anyone know how much that skid plate weighs? Kind of want to do an oil change myself at least once so I know exactly how to do it in case there's a time I really need to do it myself so I can get stuff I need to do it now not try to rush and do things at the last second.

Maybe your dealer wanted to scare the DIY out of you...

I'm not a very big guy and the skid is very manageable under the truck. The annoying part, for me, is not the weight or handling issues... it's fitting it back up afterwards. Also, simply having to remove it adds time and extra tools to the job. Unnecessary...

 

[cmb]

Here is a brief explanation on how I made an easy access door to the 5.7 oil filter.
I lowered the engine shield and inserted an extension into the filter drain plug with some wet rtv on the end. I then raised the shield up to the extension and the RTV left a mark so I had a center point. Using that I made a 5" square hole with a side grinder with a cutting wheel. I did not want to cut into the center brace so that was one of the landmarks for that side. I the took some flat aluminum strips and using a large hamer handle i gently tapped it with another hammer to match the shield's curve. I attached the aluminum strips to the piece that was cut out using stainless button head bolts. Once attached I placed it on the shield and drilled holes thru the aluminum strips and the shield. I then slipped speed nuts on and over the drilled holes and fastened the new access door with stainless bolts and flat washers. All sharp edges were sanded with a flapper sanding wheel on a Dremel. I painted the entire assembly to prevent rust and used anti seize on the bolts.
View attachment 437929

Nice neat job there! Now that it's done,is 5" good to work with or would you go bigger if doing it again? I'm do for an oil-change so I'm gonna have my guys mark my filter like you did and leave the plate off. I'll take my time and do it at home,thanks for the great ideaatriot:

 

[224362]

You should buy a bunch of skids plates and do this mod and sell them.

 

[Goliathdog]

Nice jop OP. I simply cut a hole in my skid plate, sanded sharp edges, painted and that's it. I don't do any serious off-roading so that 6" hole isn't going to hurt anything... Have done this to my last two Tundras and my current Tundra.

 

[spl383]

awesome job on the access door. There was another post a while back that has good instructions on where to make your hole.
http://www.tundratalk.net/forums/tundra-general-discussion/196706-skid-plate-oil-filter-hole.html

 

[superwhite]

Thanks for the compliments! Yes I did find the 5" opening to be plenty

 

[SunsetBronze1794]

That's great work. Thanks for sharing.

 

[superwhite]

I found 5"to be adequate. Thanks for the compliments! It seems Toyota cheaped out by not installing a door from the factorort. That and using cheap construction on the dash.