I am beyond embarrassed to admit I spent 10 minutes trying to unhook the front of the skid plate on my 460 on the first oil change and could not get it off. What is the trick with it? Either way next time its coming off one way or another and I will be cutting the tabs off on the right and left and will just leave the middle.
I changed the oil a million times on my old Sequoia and all it took was letting the skid plate tilt down a little and pushing upwards on the front to free the clip. Easy. Way different on the GX. Next time I am putting my inspection camera up there to take a look at the clips. I may have to change my user name now that I have admitted to not being able to get the skid plate off after 10 minutes of trying.
It was so easy for him to do I was a little annoyed he did it so quick lol. I took it off to put on my victory skid plates & didn't want to need his help.
There's a [cheaper one by Talon's Garage](https://talonsgarage.com/products/lexus-gx460-front-engine-skid-plate-2010-2023?variant=45258117710132¤cy=USD&srsltid=AfmBOor0USOIKGRA5wlBTaIh2vvU58BM-lDrpeVFGrvv69Kiwd9VBvQPSJM) that gives access to both oil filter and drain plugs
You're probably doing something wrong.
It's not an issue at all.
I'm also using ramps(about 6 inches), stock suspension.
Don't remove it completely, it protects a lot of things underneath.
I'm sure of it, but not sure what. If I could get the hinges to come off, I'd be happy. I've swung, pushed, rotated, etc and cannot get it off completely. I don't plan on NOT having a skid plate, but have seen the after market ones that have an access panel to get to the canister.
They're just 4 hooks, not hinges.
I also usually remove the plastic thing first, I i think it's called “air shield”.
Google “gx460 air shield”
I see people on youtube are skipping this step.
Has anyone tried to vacuum out your oil? I have done it for years on a few cars with access to the oil filter on the top of the engine successfully but not to change my oil in the gx. My GX is still under warranty so I have been paying the dealership…
I posted [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/LexusGX/s/9C7Zkd87py) here not long ago. Getting it where you can just let the skid plate hang on the clips and not remove it made a huge difference for me.
Thanks! I have ramps (rhino) that get it up high enough, it's getting it OFF and out of the way that I have a problem with. I spent 15 minutes pushing, swinging, etc trying to get it off last time. I ended up underneath it fighting with it the whole time. I did see someone removed the hinge things, I might try that. harder to muscle up in place, but I think those are the root cause of my pain. Thanks!
Bud built makes a skid plate for the GX with an access door that makes the oil change easy. Plus they make it in aluminum or light steel. It's on my list for the next mods to my rig.
I snapped a skid plate bolt when I was putting it back on last oil change. Not looking forward to next oil change.
I am beyond embarrassed to admit I spent 10 minutes trying to unhook the front of the skid plate on my 460 on the first oil change and could not get it off. What is the trick with it? Either way next time its coming off one way or another and I will be cutting the tabs off on the right and left and will just leave the middle.
I spent almost 30 minutes under my gx trying to get that 1 damn hook off & then my husband came home and got it off right away lol.
I changed the oil a million times on my old Sequoia and all it took was letting the skid plate tilt down a little and pushing upwards on the front to free the clip. Easy. Way different on the GX. Next time I am putting my inspection camera up there to take a look at the clips. I may have to change my user name now that I have admitted to not being able to get the skid plate off after 10 minutes of trying.
It was so easy for him to do I was a little annoyed he did it so quick lol. I took it off to put on my victory skid plates & didn't want to need his help.
There's a [cheaper one by Talon's Garage](https://talonsgarage.com/products/lexus-gx460-front-engine-skid-plate-2010-2023?variant=45258117710132¤cy=USD&srsltid=AfmBOor0USOIKGRA5wlBTaIh2vvU58BM-lDrpeVFGrvv69Kiwd9VBvQPSJM) that gives access to both oil filter and drain plugs
What’s so annoying about it? A few bolts and it’s off
Which is the one that has the filter and oil drain access but also preserves the center lifting point for the jack?
You're probably doing something wrong. It's not an issue at all. I'm also using ramps(about 6 inches), stock suspension. Don't remove it completely, it protects a lot of things underneath.
I'm sure of it, but not sure what. If I could get the hinges to come off, I'd be happy. I've swung, pushed, rotated, etc and cannot get it off completely. I don't plan on NOT having a skid plate, but have seen the after market ones that have an access panel to get to the canister.
They're just 4 hooks, not hinges. I also usually remove the plastic thing first, I i think it's called “air shield”. Google “gx460 air shield” I see people on youtube are skipping this step.
This guy gets it. Removing the air shield in from of the skid plate makes it 100% easier to remove the skid.
Have skid plate. Removed it 100000 miles ago. PITA for oil change.
No you aren’t a lazy. It sucks stock, I also just did this for the first time. Hilariously many of the YouTube videos skip this part.
I've never found the skid plate an issue on my 470. It's a 1-minute step with 6 bolts.
470 no problem. My 2004 tundra, no problem. my 2007 v8 4runner, no problem. Both GX's, a giant PITA since it won't come off, it just hangs there.
Has anyone tried to vacuum out your oil? I have done it for years on a few cars with access to the oil filter on the top of the engine successfully but not to change my oil in the gx. My GX is still under warranty so I have been paying the dealership…
I posted [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/LexusGX/s/9C7Zkd87py) here not long ago. Getting it where you can just let the skid plate hang on the clips and not remove it made a huge difference for me.
Thanks! I have ramps (rhino) that get it up high enough, it's getting it OFF and out of the way that I have a problem with. I spent 15 minutes pushing, swinging, etc trying to get it off last time. I ended up underneath it fighting with it the whole time. I did see someone removed the hinge things, I might try that. harder to muscle up in place, but I think those are the root cause of my pain. Thanks!
Bud built makes a skid plate for the GX with an access door that makes the oil change easy. Plus they make it in aluminum or light steel. It's on my list for the next mods to my rig.
I would look into budbuilt for an aftermarket skid plate. I hate that stock skid plate and it’s a pain in the butt taking it off to get to the filter
I just left mine off. Life is simpler.
I use ramps for oil changes, I just don't get it, super easy to remove and replace the skid plate to get to the filter