Ugh! Changed my oil yesterday, and could not get that damned skid plate back on, the one in the front with the two tabs. So I left it all off for now, and will try again Wednesday, when I'm off work again.
What sucks is that the new Fumoto valve I installed is now exposed...

 

Well, at least you didn't say the skid plate bolts sheered off and now need to drill and re-thread the holes. I've seen plenty of that on the 4Runner forums where most put them back in with some anti-seize. I had to do the same thing on my Tacoma so it wouldn't surprise me either way. I still don't under stand why there is no access port to the oil plug and filter but seen some aftermarket skid plates for the 4Runner that provide it.

 

I had the same issue... from what I remember, you cannot attach the skid plate fully in the "closed clam shell" position where the skid is touching the frame. You have to leave the skid partially open (about 2-3 inches) and not touching the frame and then thread in the bolts. It took me forever to figure out.

Here is the post with a little more detail.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...l#post10603231

 

So, I was able to muscle out the old plastic filter housing with a pipe wrench yesterday and put in the aluminum one.

Unfortunately, I forgot to swap out the shorter tube for the original long one.


Is this something that can wait until my next oil change or should I drain the new oil out and do it now?

I haven't driven the truck since the oil change, but I don't want to risk contaminating the oil if I drain it out and put it back in again.
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I'm frankly not sure... here is pic of oil flow direction in filter housing.




https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...l#post10526815

 

The inner metal tube is there to keep the filter cartridge element from collapsing.
The choice is yours... seems like a huge risk vice the cost of some oil...

 

For those of you using Rhino Ramps for oil changes, do you use 2 or 4 ramps? Would the incline caused by using only 2 ramps up front on the GX adversely effect the oil draining in your opinion?

 

I use 4. Never tried 2. The pan drain is on the bottom so you'd definitely have more leftover oil in the bottom due to the angle and being unable to drain out... also more importantly, when refilling itd be hard to know proper level.
I think your better off with 4.

 

Has anyone heard or tried the Baxter Performance spin on adapter? I found this on the Tacoma forums. It replaces the the aluminum or plastic cartridge that we've been using so you can use Toyota's metal spin on filter cartridges. Since the GX filter is sideways, I'm not sure if we will see any benefits in terms of ease and less of a mess. I really wish Toyota/Lexus would have kept the oil filter in the engine bay like some of the German vehicles.

Pricing seems to be around $200-230. Not sure if it's really worth it though.

https://www.bpadapters.com/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/...change.582655/

 

Just did my first GX oil change; Thanks for all the advice on this thread -- it made it go as smoothly as possible!

Not terrible, but I do have a greater appreciation for how easy it is on my 4th Gen 4runner now

 

I made that oil filter easier with my Budbuilts






bigphil001 has a better picture of full install

 

Where have you guys been been able to find the aluminum housing? It was easy to find one for my Tundra, not so much on the new GX.

Many thanks!

 

I got mine on amazon as part of a "kit". It looks like you'll need to buy them separately now. Third party sellers on Amazon have them listed.

 

You can take the part number and plug into ebay. Make sure you swap out the center perforated column.