Posted by on 1/27/2012 to
Installation
Kit contents
1 – front skid plate
1 – installation guide
1 – middle skid plate
1 – fastener kit (multiple pieces)
1 – rear skid plate
1 – gas tank skid (in some kits)
Tools recommended for installation
3/8” ratchet
1/2”, 12mm, 14mm socket
Torque wrench (0-50 lb-ft)
3/8” socket extension
Hint: You will need a floor jack and a piece of wood to hold the skid plate in place during installation.
Installation procedure
Removal of stock skid plates
1.) Using a 12mm socket; Remove the OEM front engine cover by removing the 4 mounting bolts. Set the cover and bolts aside as you will not reuse them.
Note: Mounting bolt locations are identified by the red circles in Figure 1.
Figure 1
2.) Using an 12mm socket; Remove the OEM rear engine cover by removing the 4 mounting bolts. Set the cover and bolts aside as you will not reuse them.
Note: Mounting bolt locations are identified by the red circles in Figure 2.
Figure 2
3.) Remove just 1 of the 2 bolts that attach the angled tube braces to the cross member. There are two bolts in each tube brace. The inner ones are usually easier to remove but it really does not matter. All together you will remove 2 bolts.See figure 3.
Note: Do not remove the bolts from the frame end of the angled tubes; only remove one bolt from the crossmember end of the tubes.
Figure 3
Installation of BudBuilt Front skid plate
1.) Install the 2 small bolts and nuts into the front holes of the front skid plate. Make sure the nut is on the frame side of the skid plate. Make sure bolt and nut are securely fastened. See figure 4
Note: The bolts are used to hang and align the plate during installation similar to the stock skid plate setup.
Figure 4
2.) Lift the front plate into place. Slide the small bolt installed in the previous step into the holes in the front of the frame.
Figure 5
3.) Using 4 of the longer bolts and washer supplied in the install kit. Fasten the front skid plate to the stock mounting holes in the frame. See figure 6
Note: Leave the bolts loose at this point to aid in alignment of the plates in a later step.
Figure 6
Installation of BudBuilt Middle skid plate
1.) Install the small black clip in nut on the rear bracket of the front skid plate. Make sure the threaded barrel portion of the clip in nut is facing up.
Figure 7
2.) Using a floor jack and a block of wood. Lift the middle skid plate into position and install the short flat head allen bolt into the clip installed in the last step. See figure 8.
Note: Use the supplied allen wrench to align the clip in nut if required. Leave the bolts loose at this point to aid in alignment of the plates in a later step.
Figure 8
3.) Using 4 of the longer bolts and washer supplied in the install kit. Fasten the middle skid plate to the stock mounting holes in the frame. See figure 9.
Note: Leave the bolts loose at this point to aid in alignment of the plates in a later step.
Figure 9
Installation of BudBuilt Crossmember
For 4Runner owners, this is the only step that is different. The crossmember will only go on one way.
1.) Remove bolt on driver's side frame rail that holds brake line bracket. Pry bracket outward slightly ( enough to allow our crossmember to slide in there) See figure 10.
Figure 10
2.) Remove the 2 bolts that hold the muffler hanger bracket to the frame on the passenger side frame rail. See figure 11.
3.) Slide crossmember up into place. The front is narrower than the rear. Align the bolt holes in the crossmember to the ones in the frame. Install a bolt in each side to hold it up. Check the alignment of it all. See figure 11.
Figure 11
4.) Insert a gold colored bolt into the bracket on the driver's side. A flat washer will NOT fit here tho. Insert another gold colored bolt with a flat washer to the rear on the drivers side. On the passenger's side, insert 2 gold colored bolt with flatwashers thru the 2 holes in the crossmember. Use 2 washers under the top of the bracket and install the upper bolt. The washers space it out to match the thickness of the crossmember bracket. See figure 11
5.) Before tightening them all down, push the entire crossmember up tight against the frame. Then, tighten the bolts fully. See figure 11.
6.) Use the 3 longer carriage bolts at the rear edge of the 3rd skidplate, push them thru the skid, then the tube crossmember, then add the lock nuts up on top. See figure 12.
Figure 12
Installation of BudBuilt Transmission skid plate
1.) Using a floor jack and a block of wood. Lift the transmission skid plate into position. Slide the two flat metal spacer plates between the skid plate and the rear tube braces on the cross member. The longer side of it goes toward the front of the truck. Install only one long flat head bolt through skid plate, through spacer and thread into frame. Repeat for other side.
Note: Install the transmission skid plate with the front portion of the skid plate resting on top of the rear portion of the middle skid plate.
Figure 13
2.) Install the 2 longer flat head allen screws through the skid plate, then through the spacers and into the holes in the cross member. Do this on both side of the skid plate. See figure 14.
Note: Use the supplied allen wrench to align the spacer as required. Leave the bolts loose at this point to aid in alignment of the plates in a later step.
Figure 14
3.) Using the 2 carriage bolts and locking nuts, bolt the middle and transmission skid plates together. Install the carriage bolt from the bottom with the threads facing up. Install the locking nut on the top side of the skid plate. See figure 15.
4.) Use the 3 longer carriage bolts at the rear edge of the 3rd skid plate, push them thru the skid, then the tube crossmember, then add the locknuts up on top.
Note: Leave the bolts loose at this point to aid in alignment of the plates in a later step.
Figure 15
5.) Final alignment and tightening of all fasteners. Adjust the plates until you are satisfied with their location and tighten all fasteners. Make sure to double check that all fasteners are securely tightened.
Note: The factory torque setting for the stock skid plates is 21 lb-ft.
Installation of BudBuilt gas tank skid plate
1.) Remove 4 12mm head nuts and the 10mm head nut that holds the ground strap to the tank. Remove the stock plastic skid plate. The ground strap is not needed now that you have a steel skidplate.
2.) Install the gas tank skid plate with the front portion of the skid plate resting on top of the rear portion of the trans skid plate. Push the rear of the skid up until the studs stick down thru the slots in our skid. Reuse the stock nuts and install them loosely. Push 3 short carriage bolts up thru the trans skid, then the gas skid, and install a washer and locknut up on top. See figure 16.
Tighten all the nuts and go assault the rocks! :)
Thank you for your business!!!!
--Bud