OEM Trailhunter steel skid plates (front, rear, transfer case) install & part numbers for 2025 4Runner Off-Road Premium ORP

[toothpaste22]

Finally got all 3 pieces OEM skid plates. These are hardened steel, thinner than the 1/4 inch aluminum TRD front plate.
I like the matching design/color scheme.

These part number are for gas model. Hybrid might be different.

Front: PT228-35240
Transfer case: PT228-35248
Rear: PT228-35245


Undercarriage video look:

Photos:

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[Joe Dirt]

Wow, those look awesome!
Are you using any type of Torx Bolt on them to detour easy removability from wandering eyes?
I'm saying this, because it seems like the trailer hitch receiver rubber plugs are disappearing because they are close to $100 for replacement.

 

[toothpaste22]

Nothing special. The hitch cover stays on without problem, knock on wood…

as for the plates, just OEM bolts

 

[Joe Dirt]

Nothing special. The hitch cover stays on without problem, knock on wood…

as for the plates, just OEM bolts

What I meant to say was those hitch cover plugs are disappearing because they are so expensive people are stealing them!

So I probably will go with some type of stainless steel torx bolt to make it hard for the late night creepers that like to steal! That's all I meant if you had considered torx bolts for those skid plates!

 

[sscarter]

Quick questions:

1. How does weight of these skid plates compare with aluminum from other vendors?
2. Not having skid plates on my current 5th-gen, do they interfere at all with access to oil plug & filter?

 

[toothpaste22]

What I meant to say was those hitch cover plugs are disappearing because they are so expensive people are stealing them!

So I probably will go with some type of stainless steel torx bolt to make it hard for the late night creepers that like to steal! That's all I meant if you had considered torx bolts for those skid plates!

No i’d probably stick with the regular 13mm and 12mm hex bolts they provided.
My hitch cover is still there… so odd that a that piece of rubber would cost that much….

 

[toothpaste22]

Quick questions:

1. How does weight of these skid plates compare with aluminum from other vendors?
2. Not having skid plates on my current 5th-gen, do they interfere at all with access to oil plug & filter?

I dont exactly know the weight, i think someone on the forums measured it , not that much if a difference. Aluminum is going to be lighter by some pounds

6th gen OEM plates (either aluminum or steel) will need to be removed entirely for oil change (removed 4 bolts completely, loosen other 2 bolts and slide the plate off). Not hard at all, just a big bulky if you dont have lift/jack. I can shimmy my way under the vehicle on the ground to get it done. Other 3rd party plates have cutouts for access.

 

[Joe Dirt]

No i’d probably stick with the regular 13mm and 12mm hex bolts they provided.
My hitch cover is still there… so odd that a that piece of rubber would cost that much….

Yeah I know I couldn't believe it when I was reading another post specifically about the hitch receiver plug being stolen and it was at $100 from the dealership. So I looked it up online and I think the cheapest one that I saw was around $79 but the shipping was like 20 something.

 

[toothpaste22]

Yeah I know I couldn't believe it when I was reading another post specifically about the hitch receiver plug being stolen and it was at $100 from the dealership. So I looked it up online and I think the cheapest one that I saw was around $79 but the shipping was like 20 something.

Lol still ridiculously expensive. If stolen, we’ll probably replace with some other functional aftermarket product

 

[ToYoDaMan]

Yeah I know I couldn't believe it when I was reading another post specifically about the hitch receiver plug being stolen and it was at $100 from the dealership. So I looked it up online and I think the cheapest one that I saw was around $79 but the shipping was like 20 something.

Crazy. Didn't realize these were odd sized and expensive:

Glad I took mine off and replaced it with the diode dynamics reverse +brake like with a hitch lock.

 

[bakutheleo]

I would have never thought that rubber plug would be nearly that expensive--but I also would not think they would be profitable to steal/sell--who would buy them? Mine sits...somewhere. I do not see much point in it, even if I were not using the receiver hitch (I have a Twistep in it now unless I am using a trailer). I would not likely pay $10 to replace it, let alone 100!

On to a more important/relevant question: I am thinking of adding proper skid plates to my ORP Hybrid. I do not plan to do major modifications in the near term at least--no lift, only better tires when I need to replace the current ones from wear. I do go off road, but not heavy-duty rock crawling. Under body protection would be good though (lots of rocks where I go). How do the OEM compare to the various 3rd party plates? There are a few good looking options (Rival, mentioned on another post, and others), some a bit cheaper but not necessarily, and not necessarily by a lot.

BTW, the Toyota part site claims there is access to all maintenance items (oil and such), although it sure does not look like there are.

Any comment on whether aluminum or steel is the better option?

How important are each of the "sections?" I'd think the one under the engine would be pretty critical, and probably the transmission/cat next. Some (Toyota, but not Rival for the hybrid) also have one for the transfer case I believe.

 

[toothpaste22]

In my opinion, mild/moderate off roading would be okay with the 3-piece skidplates. If you plan to go more advanced, then lower control arms (front and rear) skids and rockrails should be considered.

I havent scraped hard enough to compare aluminum vs steel.
Agreed, no rubber plug is worth more than $10 lol

 

[Dinosoar21]

Those are the factory recovery points...you had them painted/powder-coated red, right? I know Toyota has red aftermarket hooks, but they ain't it, and pix I see have them as black. I got mine powder-coated on my SR5 and love it...was just wondering if Toyota did offer them in red as well.

 

[toothpaste22]

Those are the factory recovery points...you had them painted/powder-coated red, right? I know Toyota has red aftermarket hooks, but they ain't it, and pix I see have them as black. I got mine powder-coated on my SR5 and love it...was just wondering if Toyota did offer them in red as well.

You’re correct, i cleaned the OEM, sanded them a little, rubbing alcohol cleaned, and can spray red. It worked out well enough, and I dont have to spend much.
Toyota does have their own, as well as many other third parties.

 

[127.0.0.1]

if you actually wheel and use the skidplates,
aluminum sticks to rocks and gets ripped apart. steel scrapes and slides and doesn't stick

aluminum is a curb feeler, it makes noise so you know to back off and try
some other move, but won't stand up long to pushing across rocks

steel is also a curb feeler of sorts, but you can just mash through most times and
slide over stuff*

all this based on real world skid plate scrapin I do weekly on my other 4runner

*obviously get out and look at the situation if you scrape.
steel loves scraping
aluminum gets wrecked

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