[volley]

I posted this over on the Tundra Solutions but thought I'd post it here too in case someone else is having this problem.

Ok I have an 05 Tacoma DC Shortbed and I have the optional skid plate. I have had issues with it vibrating since I had it put on. Well I was getting ready to make an appointment with the dealership because the vibration has gotten worse. It used to only vibrate when I got caught in crosswinds and such but lately it has gotten so much worse. To the point where it was vibrating so much I went to take the d!%& thing off myself when I got home tonight. I crawl down and I'm like WTF! It's cracked!!! No wonder it has been vibrating so bad! The crack goes all the way through, it's not just on the surface. It is going to the dealer in the morning! I know the crack is recent because I was just looking at the skid plate and the entire underbody last week when I changed the oil. I love this truck but WTF is up with the skid plate! Sorry but I am ticked off about this! I have never been off roading, not even over a curb in this truck, in fact I admit it....I pamper the darn thing! Here is a pic of the crack.

 

[atwinda]

The optional skid plate is plastic!? *shakes head* it's a sad day.

 

[ONEWAY]

The optional skid plate is plastic!?

The bed is... :rofl:

j/k

 

[scottnmos]

That is exactly what I was thinking..... time to upgrade!!!!

 

[tbrown]

The skid plate is made of aluminum!

 

[Uneasy Rider]

What are those black marks on it? Did you hit something?

 

[volley]

Nope didn't hit anything, that's why I don't know what the black stuff is.... It looks like it ran out of the crack...

 

[hezy]

Are the 05's built cheaper these days? They sure know how to hike up the price on the window sticker though!

 

[Kyota]

Dude, you have to have hit something...marks and cracks dont usually come out of the blue.

The plate is aluminum? How thick is it? Looks cast too, cast sucks. Cracks easy.

 

[dadunc205x]

the black looks to me like residue from the oil change that dribbled out of the crack.

 

[Shakerhood]

Wow, that really sucks, I hope they take care of you at the Stealership!

 

[tanKoma]

why the hell would they make it outta cast? that doesnt make any sense :bs:

 

[Marc M]

The black marks look like water marks. Has anyone ever cleaned raw aluminum and notice all the black stuff that comes off ? It looks like it is just the oxidation from the non-clearcoated aluminum rubbing at the point of contact, which in this case is the crack movement.

Marc M

 

[platform389]

And here I thought the "skidplates" on my 01 were bad...

It is difficult to believe this is the same company that produced such off road classics as the original Land Cruiser and the 79-85 4x4.

 

[volley]

Ok here's my update: Just got back from the dealer and they said that Toyota is having the plate re-designed so they placed me an order for a new one, but didn't have a delivery date. Need to check back in 30 days for status.

Also, the looked at the leak issue and found the leak coming from the fender seem. They sealed it, and think that should take care of it.

 

[Shakerhood]

Maybe on the redesign they will borrow GMs plastic ones!

 

[Kyota]

why the hell would they make it outta cast? that doesnt make any sense :bs:

Actually I should clear myself up a little on the cast thing because technically all metal is cast at one point. But cheap aluminum (unlike 6061...etc) has that look to it. At the edges it is probably (look's it) more rough feeling, like a a seem on a engine block or head because it is cast. Good aluminum is usually machined which is VERY expensive (compared to cast) and would bend more readily rather than crack.

The black marks look like water marks. Has anyone ever cleaned raw aluminum and notice all the black stuff that comes off ? It looks like it is just the oxidation from the non-clearcoated aluminum rubbing at the point of contact, which in this case is the crack movement.

Marc M

I've done a bunch of aluminum handwork when making bumper/skids etc for my rc car a few years back, all of the housboats at work have alum pontoons/holes and are acid washed...I have never seen black corrosion on aluminum. Alum over time with chorinated water (depends on %) corrodes in a bubbled (rust) like pasty white, same with sulfuric acid (elecric charge speeds it up a lot), same with whatever acid we use to clean the pontoons if it is left on for too long. All a pasty white.

Volley
Oh yeah, leak issue? What was the leak?

Are the marks oil? Cause if so, thats some incredibly dirty oil.

 

[tanKoma]

interesting im still tampering with the different aluminums :welder:

 

[volley]

Kyota - Good write up.

The black marks were definitely not oil. Not sure what it was. Yes it was way too black to be oil plus it had dried completely but it wiped off when I took a wet rag to it. Also, it was not anywhere else on the plate except coming out of the crack. Wierd.

As for the leak. I was getting the wet carpet on the driver's side. They thought at first it was coming from the windshield trim itself but they actually traced it to the "windshield cowl" near the fender. I'm not sure if I have the terminolgy right. At any rate, they resealed the cowl area so hopefully that will work.