I keep reading if you go off road it rips off easily. And I don't see aftermarket skid plates anywhere, so what about just removing it altogether?
Is it safe to remove the cover underneath permanently?
acsmith1972
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I keep reading if you go off road it rips off easily. And I don't see aftermarket skid plates anywhere, so what about just removing it altogether?
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Somewhere there is or was a thread about this for the 4.3 but I couldn't find it using the forum Search function. If I recall, responses ranged from it is OK to leave it off, to leaving it off will negatively affect aerodynamics, to leaving it off will result in a lot of road spray getting onto engine, and there were more.
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I left mine on just because I drive through deep snow once in a while and would hate to have the engine, transmission, etc... scraping ice and snow. Also, when snow melts I have to often drive through puddles and the more protection the better. Actually, I would have preferred if the RAV had more protection at the bottom.
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I found this for mine, a 2011 4l (mine kept on falling off)
3mm Deep Stamped Aluminum, Includes all Hardware for an easy no drill install. MSRP $368.00 on Sale ***$294.40*** plus s/h
Skid Plate Guy on facebook..
(sorry if my post is offending anyone)
3mm Deep Stamped Aluminum, Includes all Hardware for an easy no drill install. MSRP $368.00 on Sale ***$294.40*** plus s/h
Skid Plate Guy on facebook..
(sorry if my post is offending anyone)
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$368 is crazy expensive for a piecertain of metal no one sees. You could get a new hood for that much. I see how the 4 connects but not the v6 version. I'll keep my cheap plastic thing. I really wish there were more choices for this car.
besides the cosmetic aspects, the "splash shields" help generate air flow through the cooling module and keep snow from getting up into the belts.
If you have never spit a belt because snow made it into the crank pulley area,getting under the belt, causing the tensioner to go one way then snap back once the snow gets blown out, tossing the belt in the process, you have not enjoyed one of life's truly wonderful experiences at 5 below zero
If you have never spit a belt because snow made it into the crank pulley area,getting under the belt, causing the tensioner to go one way then snap back once the snow gets blown out, tossing the belt in the process, you have not enjoyed one of life's truly wonderful experiences at 5 below zero
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Finally located a couple of prior threads about this issue: http://www.rav4world.com/forums/97-4-3-exterior/70413-plastic-shield-under-front-rav.html
http://www.rav4world.com/forums/97-4-3-exterior/78897-2009rav4-engine-splash-shield-help.html
http://www.rav4world.com/forums/97-4-3-exterior/78897-2009rav4-engine-splash-shield-help.html
Thanks for digging. I scanned thru them. The first one, from 2008, explains what happened to mine. Since the rear end of the shield isn't mounted well or at all it caught on the deep snow I was stuck in. When two stout friends pushed me backwards the shield ended up coming out in front of the car still attached at it's front mounts.
The second one must be the original source of the supposed aerodynamic advantage. Would love to see someone actually measure that "advantage." Also mentions "Might lose some cooling efficiency without it." Sure, might be better w/o it too.
In any case mine's working well - making my garage wall more aerodynamic AND keeping it cooler. :roll:
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It would seem that if the shield were so important as far as one's RAV is concerned Toyota would have made it to be more substantial. Good to hear that yours is improving your garage's performance! :wink
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that's about what most aluminum undertrays go for unfortunately
I like my plastic undertray, keeps everything clean
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More info.
skidplateguy@gmail.com
The RAV4 skid plate for V6 is made upon order.
Six to ten weeks to delivery.
Must pre-pay
$387.00 - $77.40 (20% discount due to pre-order) = $309.60 + shipping & handling, amount not stated
~25 pounds shipped in cardboard and bubble wrap
from Syracuse, NY
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263 Posts
that's honestly not bad - i don't need it but if i did i would. weight? vents/doors for oil changes etc?
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Wouldn't it be cheaper to get a piece of sheet metal cut to size, drill the holes yourself and screw it on?
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Do you have any pics of this installed? Whats the profile like (is there a loss of ground clearance?)
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That's why I'm hesitant to install one, these Rav4 don't have a high ground clearance to start with. Looks like 1/2" to an inch loss. Perhaps the skidplateguy on Facebook can answer that one.
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Until someone fabricates a solid plate to protect the $1100 vapor recovery system under the driver's seat floor AND a way to mount it securely, very little attention to upgrading the one under the engine is justified. It's just false security, IMO.
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Now that (protecting the vapor recovery system) is a project which with your experience and ingenuity you might be able to take on and achieve a good solution! :wink
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