Victory 4×4 Skid Plate Install 3rd Gen Tacoma

Victory 4×4 Transfer Case Skid Plate Install on 3rd Generation Toyota Tacoma

There are many important installs for your Toyota Tacoma, and I feel that protective skid plates are right there at the top of the list. If you didn’t look under your truck when you first got it, you might not have noticed a large, gaping, unprotected hole straight up to your transfer case. I know if I did any serious wheeling that I would find myself high centered on a rock right there.

I have gone on a few small trips in my new Tacoma even though it’s bone stock I still took it off-roading. I was going down this sandy wash and came upon some small rocks. I slowly crawled over them but I did feel one hit my undercarriage. Lucky, there was no serious damage this time, but even with those simple trips, I knew I needed more protection.

I went with the Victory 4×4 Transfer Case Skid Plate that is 3/16 thick steel. They also have a 1/4 aluminum version, but I want as much protection as I can get.  It’s exactly what I need to fill that gap and cover my Transfer case from potential colliding with a rock. The Skid plate does weigh about 60 lbs but the protection is worth every ounce.

Install was performed on a 2016 TRD Offroad 3rd Gen Toyota Tacoma

Lifting the Truck off the ground wasn’t required, you can install the Victory 4×4 Transfer case skid plate with the truck on the ground. I wanted more room to move around and to get better video angles for you. Also, this install can be done by one person but having a friend to give you a hand was very helpful. All in all the install will take about one to two hours. It’s quick and straight forward. Let me show you how.

WHAT THE KIT COMES WITH:

(1)Transfer case skid plate
(1) Drop skid exhaust covers
(1) Block off plate
(6) Button Heads – 7/32” Allen
(6) 14mm Flange Nuts
(2) 19mm Bolts
(2) Large Washers
(2) 19mm Flange Nuts

TOOLS NEEDED:

• 7/32” Allen
• 12 mm deep socket or 12 mm box end
• 14 mm socket
• 14 mm box end
• 19 mm socket
• Drill – Various drill bits
• 1/2 drill bit

STEP #1 – DETERMINING WHAT SKID PLATE YOU NEED

First, you need to figure out what type of skid plate you are going to be installing. If you have factory exhaust like I do, you will need a drop skid plate. If you have an aftermarket exhaust, you will need the block-off plate.  That’s one of the great additions to this Victory 4×4 Transfer case skid plate kit. If you chose to change your exhaust down the road you can always add the block off plate.

will be talking about the drop skid, but when installing the drop skid or the block off plate, the narrow end, notch, will be going towards the front of the truck.

STEP #2 – BOLT THE DROP SKID TO THE SKID PLATE

Pushing the Button Head Bolts from the bottom up though the skid plate and drop skid lets you place the flange nuts onto the top. Using a 7/32” Allen head, tighten the six button head bolts and because the 14mm flange nuts are designed to grab and hold you don’t need to use a wrench to make sure they are tight.

STEP #3 – REMOVE THE CROSSMEMBER NUTS

Remove the four 14mm nuts from the bolts that go through the cross member. There are two on each side of the truck. Leave the bolts in the crossmember, we just need to remove the nuts. We will reuse the nuts so keep them handy.

STEP #4 – PLACE SKID PLATE ONTO BOLTS

Place the Victory 4×4 Transfer case skid plate front flange over the bolts on the crossmember (where we just removed the nuts). Once the skid plate is resting on the bolts, loosely thread a nut on both sides to ensure the skid plate will not fall.

STEP #5 – LIFT THE VICTORY 4X4 SKID PLATE TILL IT HITS THE FRAME

Lift the Victory 4×4 Transfer case skid plate till it rest against the frame. I used a floor jack.  The plate does not press tightly against the frame. Just hold it in position.

STEP #6 – TIGHTEN THE CROSSMEMBER BOLTS

With a 14 mm socket wrench and box end wrench tighten the bolts and nuts to bring the skid plate tightly against the cross member. Ensure the bolts are tight. You want to pull the crossmember towards the front of the Tacoma before you start drilling.

STEP #7 – DRILL THE TWO BACK HOLES

There are two slotted holes on the back side of the cross member where you will drill your two half-inch holes. I would advise you to start at a small bit and work your way up in size. I started with a punch to locate the position where I wanted to start drilling then I used the following drill bits, 1/8 in., 1/4 in., 3/8 in and a 1/2 in. to make it easier on myself.

Special Note: On the drivers side there is a computer module. Don’t drill into the computer module. It is easy to remove, just two 12mm nuts on the outside of the frame. You will need to use a deep socket.

STEP #8 – BOLT VICTORY 4X4 SKID PLATE TO FRAME

Place the 1/2 in. bolts (19mm hex head) with washer up through the skid plate and through the frame. Tighten the 19mm flange nut. Now your skid plate is in place.

STEP #9 – REPLACE COMPUTER MODULE

Place the two studs through the frame and use a 12mm deep socket to tighten the computer module back to into place.

Your all done!