Skid Plate Recommendations for SR5? Oil change drainage considerations

[Keyboard]

Hi everyone, I'm Keyboard (yes, legal name)! Excited to be part of the community

I just bought my first 4Runner (2025 SR5) a few months ago. I'm currently looking for recommendations on skid plates. I don't intend to be doing any super extreme off-roading, but I still want strong protection for peace of mind whenever I do get off the pavement.

Currently I've been looking at skid plates from RIVAL ( RIVAL Aluminum Engine Skid Plate 2024-2026 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road TRD Pro Trailhunter 2024-2026 Toyota Land Cruiser 2025-2026 Toyota 4Runner 6th Gen | RIVAL USA INC. ), although I'd like to hear if anyone has any other suggestions. I liked these over OEM due to the cut out for oil drainage. I don't necessarily plan to be changing the oil myself very frequently (I intend to do most of my service at the dealer while it's under warranty) although I still like the idea just out of respect for whoever will be doing the oil changes and it'll be super convenient if I ever do end up doing it myself (not unlikely). Is that a fair assessment?

Does anyone have any experience with these skid plates, or any other recommendations I should be considering instead? What are y'all using??

Really hoping to make my decision soon so I can start hitting some more serious trails, thanks for the help!

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[NotApplicable]

I just put the rival on mine. Very happy with it.

that being said, it wouldn’t surprise me if a shop just dropped the skid to do an oil change. The windows for the drain plug and filter are a little small, they may be concerned with making a mess with the oil. For me it’s not a concern as I installed a valvomax so there will be no mess!

 

[photorunner]

I ended up just getting the steel skid plates made for the Trail Hunter trim, they're pretty high quality and plenty of protection for moderate use.

 

[neilkansal]

I’m going to add on to this one. Has anyone tried the rough country skid plate?

 

[BRunner]

I ended up just getting the steel skid plates made for the Trail Hunter trim, they're pretty high quality and plenty of protection for moderate use.

Same here, front, mid and rear diff.

 

[chasedstream641]

I just put the rival on mine. Very happy with it.

that being said, it wouldn’t surprise me if a shop just dropped the skid to do an oil change. The windows for the drain plug and filter are a little small, they may be concerned with making a mess with the oil. For me it’s not a concern as I installed a valvomax so there will be no mess!

ive seen the valvomax mentioned a few times now, do you have a link for the one you bought? how does it work do you just connect a drain tube to empty the oil and thats it? do you need crush washers still?

 

[Keyboard]

Same here, front, mid and rear diff.

The Trailhunter ones are steel correct? How much weight does that add?

 

[drNick]

Rival4x4 is great. I just did an oil change through it. Don’t forget to place a Fumoto valve instead of the drain plug. Your life will get 100 times easier while changing your oil.

 

[mars001]

I use Fumoto valves on all my cars and motorcycles for the last 40+ years and they were proven 100% reliable. Fumoto has been around since 1976 and is a Japanese company. I'm just a satisfied customer!

https://www.fumotousa.com/

ive seen the valvomax mentioned a few times now, do you have a link for the one you bought? how does it work do you just connect a drain tube to empty the oil and thats it? do you need crush washers still?

 

[JackedAcctnt]

Rough Country! Front and belly skid plate for $180. Can't beat that value. No drilling, fits right into OEM hardware. Super easy install with oil change cutouts for the filter and drain plug. I'm a light off roader too so I don't need the most durable/heaviest skid plate out there.

 

[NotApplicable]

ive seen the valvomax mentioned a few times now, do you have a link for the one you bought? how does it work do you just connect a drain tube to empty the oil and thats it? do you need crush washers still?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077ZGZ39V

should be the M12-1.25. It comes with its own crush washer!

 

[JackedAcctnt]

I’m going to add on to this one. Has anyone tried the rough country skid plate?

Yes they are great! Have it installed on my sr5

 

[neilkansal]

Yes they are great! Have it installed on my sr5

happen to have any pictures of it installed? And do you have a rough estimate of how much it weighs?

 

[JackedAcctnt]

happen to have any pictures of it installed? And do you have a rough estimate of how much it weighs?

In total it weighs about 55lbs. Here’s some pics I took, not the best pics but hopefully good enough to give you an idea

 

[chasedstream641]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077ZGZ39V

should be the M12-1.25. It comes with its own crush washer!

this is more important than the invention of sliced bread. thank you

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