Decided to make my oil changes a bit easier....

Your almost there. Now fabricate a little trap door w / hinges.

 

The RCI is nice, but overkill for my needs at $430 shipped. I’m just shielding off sticks and gravel. DIY was an easy call at $20. It is great that RCI and other fabricators are out there for users who actually need heavy duty skids.

 

Not the prettiest but who cares, serves the purpose and very sturdy

 

Bonus points for Rivnuts!

 

thanks my new favorite tool

 

smart!

 

Oh man!! This is brilliant!!!
Last time, it took me about an hour to change the oil, where the actual oil changing was 10 min, and 50 min was trying to get this stupid thing bolted back.

 

The pics look great. I went with the RCI several years ago after years of hating to have to remove the factory skidplate just to change the oil. The RCI is well-designed both for access to the filter and to the oil pan bolt. I also went with the fumoto device. Oil changes are a breeze now. I just could not abide the hassle involved with the factory set-up.

One of the best things we can do for our trucks is regularly change the oil, so a little ingenuity to make that process more likely is awesome. Great job!

 

anyone got a link to the fumota

 

Fumoto Original F103S LC-10 Lever Clip FS-Series Engine Oil Drain Valve, 1 Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D9FCRWM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_DWMK0CZTJWDDTEWQJWQ6

 

Yes, +1 on the Fumoto. I've had them on all our vehicles for the last 30 years.

 

In addition to the fumoto valve, check out the Motivx Tools Oil Filter Drain Tool for Toyota

 

+1 I recommend the full Motiv set with the socket, drain tool and nifty oil fill funnel.

 

Because of my snow plow mount, taking the skid off was real pain in butt. Had service guy cut access hole in my old '10. Really disappointed with my '21 still not having addressed this serious PIA. So now looking forward to cutting hole in my new trucks skid before new plow mount put on this summer. I like this RCI skid but 500-800$ for a piece of sheet metal? The aluminum looks nice but I feel like here in the Northeast the calcium chloride will ruin that soon.

 

My thoughts exactly. I spend a ton on extras for my truck but wasnt going to spend 500 bucks for a better looking skid plate. Just cut a hole and make a plate

 

Yup. I have the fumoto along with the full motiv set and my sanford and son skid plate. Looking forward to my oil change

 

Ordered!

But it's really only about $300
https://truckbrigade.com/products/rci-offroad-engine-skid-plate-toyota-tundra-2007

On my previous Tundra I just left the stock skid plate off and ran the truck like that for about 10 years without issues. It's such a POS it's not worth improving it.

 

I understand your thinking. Honestly if I didn't take my truck on the beach I would probably have just taken it off. I agree it is a POS but for a non hard core 4x4 driver with the hole in it, it will work fine for me.
It cost me nothing but a couple hours

 

I still have my Fumoto valve that I took off my Tundra. I've had them before on several vehicles and with this thing holding 8.5qt, it drained too slow for me. If anyone wants to send a pre-paid UPS/USPS label, I'll glad let them have it. I think the washer that goes between it and the oil pan fell in the drain pan when I removed it so you'll need a new one.

 

just FYI, there is a newer Fumoto F133 that drains much faster than the F103

https://www.tundras.com/threads/oil-drain-plug-question.84813/page-2#post-2268503

 

As far as keeping the skid plate, any skid plate for that matter, I’m looking for ideas for improving or replacing those three weak tab-screws? Seems more than finger tight will strip ‘em out.

BTW.....if your into AMSOIL they include a plastic valve with their filter element. Worked totally fine when I did the change out.

 

I have been driving my '07 around town on pavement without a skid plate for over a year... my '02 still wears one because it goes places the '07 does not. Oil & Filter changes on the '07 are quick & easy.

 

Great design!! Cleanest oil changes ever and no need to even get under the vehicle.
Stick a hose down the dipstick and suck the oil out with a pump.

For those cutting the factory plate you can buy the access cover Ford uses on their skid plates. Thick rubber that twists on to the square access holes.
https://www.oemfordpart.com/oem-parts/ford-skid-plate-cover-bl3z6c070a

 

Nice mod. I ended up ditching the skid plate on my last oil change. Up here with the salt on the roads they end up rusting so bad the bolts will eventually break off and you’ll have to sawzall it off. Ask me how I know.

 

Is RCI and TRD the only one with the door or does Ironman skid plates have the access door as well?

 

Victory, CBI, PP Engineering ... seems to be a bunch of options according to the google.

 

Valhalla has also started adding one for theirs.

 

that's cool. I f I would have seen this I would have ordered it first. then get measurements and cut to skid plate to size