Broke My LC250

[yoadriantrd]

I may have found a weak point in the lc250. Ended up hitting a rock over the weekend with my OEM skid plate and it dented in. As I went to remove it so I could hammer the dents out I realized the welds on my radiator support bracket were broken on the passenger side. Im guessing as the skid plate dented inwards, It pulled on the top 2 bolts that are attached to the tiny radiator support and cracked the welds. After examining the support I realize there is no reinforcement. Other Toyota I've own in the pass have cross bars or a thicker radiator bracket. this one is a tiny support that is not fully boxed in and only attached by some welds. It looks like an easy fix but maybe the aftermarket support will have better anchor point.

was going cruising speed about 15-20 mph/ no other damage aside form these cracks.

 

[Nuke]

Wow, you smacked that skid plate quite severely! I can see myself doing the same hunting abandoned mines in your area. (A former long-time resident of Alamo and Panaca in Lincoln County, and have explored everywhere!)

 

[cvx5832LC]

I'd love a picture of that rock!

 

[yoadriantrd]

Wow, you smacked that skid plate quite severely! I can see myself doing the same hunting abandoned mines in your area. (A former long-time resident of Alamo and Panaca in Lincoln County, and have explored everywhere!)

It doesn’t help these “skids” are more like dust covers than they are skid plates.

 

[yoadriantrd]

I'd love a picture of that rock!

It was at night and the impact dint feel bad enough to stop in the moment. I’ve hit plenty of rocks in my day lol just surprised to see the actual damage done. These skids are soda can thin so I’d figure I would have to re straighten them out but I got an extra surprise lol

 

[trek805]

OUCH!! sucks

 

[jenos96]

It’s a skid plate not a slam plate!

 

[mayonayze]

It’s a skid plate not a slam plate!

 

[yoadriantrd]

It’s a skid plate not a slam plate!

It’s a dust cover at best.

 

[jenos96]

It’s a dust cover at best.

Eh, I go slow and if I hear it make contact I get out and check underneath. That’s what I’ve always figured they were really for. An alarm system not a shield

 

[LCOceans]

Are the skid plates different on the different models? Which model do you have?

 

[yoadriantrd]

Are the skid plates different on the different models? Which model do you have?

The LCLC models and up have the “better” skid plate which is a bit thicker than the 1958 model. But the problem still remains the same. They still bolt on to the radiator support bracket and are not reinforced. Any significant hit will damage that support bracket or worse the actual radiator. I’ve been seeing the aftermarket skids reinforce that area to better distribute any impact and not over stress the thin welds on the radiator bracket.

Here is an aftermarket skid with additional support. These oem ones are only intended for starbucks runs lol

 

[RUN-8]

I just had my LC trim up on jack stands yesterday for a 1000 mile oil change and a good hose down of the underside with Amsoil HDMP. The standard “skid” plate is disappointing, not only thin but the mounting point on the lower radiator support is not reinforced as pointed out by the OP. Plus it’s a pain in the dick to drop for maintenance and the plastic cover behind it is equally stupid and useless. Just more steps to deal with to do an oil change, and aside from keeping road slurry and muck off the underside of the engine and transmission I don’t think they’re accomplishing any real protection.

Will look for an aftermarket skid plate, or the First Edition skid plate in the near future.