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- Thread starter LRD
- Start date
Welcome to the asylum.
You will love the FE skid plate!
AutoZone sells a plastic set of ramps for about $49. They make the oil change super easy. Horrible Freight also sells a low cost steel ramps, that may give you an extra inch of lift, but they are kinda noisy to use, and don’t store quite as easily as the AutoZone plastic ones, which are easy to hang on a couple of nails or hooks.
You will love the FE skid plate!
AutoZone sells a plastic set of ramps for about $49. They make the oil change super easy. Horrible Freight also sells a low cost steel ramps, that may give you an extra inch of lift, but they are kinda noisy to use, and don’t store quite as easily as the AutoZone plastic ones, which are easy to hang on a couple of nails or hooks.
There is a bit of a trick to getting the front hooks on the OEM black steel skid engaged, and you are right- the first time I did it it was a pain. This went easier for my next two oil changes.
The original filter felt welded on, so I don't snug the replacements on so tight. The crush washer on the oil drain plug seems to become at one with the oil pan, and I usually take a small flat bladed screwdriver and tap it off, then find it on the garage floor several feet away once the oil change is done.
Overall, not the worst oil change to DIY, and hanging the front of the OEM skid before bolting it up is probably the worst part. If I find a deal on the FE style skid, I am getting one.
The original filter felt welded on, so I don't snug the replacements on so tight. The crush washer on the oil drain plug seems to become at one with the oil pan, and I usually take a small flat bladed screwdriver and tap it off, then find it on the garage floor several feet away once the oil change is done.
Overall, not the worst oil change to DIY, and hanging the front of the OEM skid before bolting it up is probably the worst part. If I find a deal on the FE style skid, I am getting one.
Go with the plastic ramps, the steel ones are a pita, plus you typically cant store them standing on end like you can with the plastic ones.
You won’t regret spending money on them, and the AutoZone ramps.
- Oct 15, 2025
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- 2003 Toyota Tacoma SR5 TRD 4x4 and 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 1958 4x4
I've done my own oil changes with, and without ramps. I used ramps on my 15k oil change because I needed a little extra room to make the service a little less painful from a recent surgery. I noticed one minor downside to the ramps. The front was now at an angle instead of flat. When I removed the oil filter some of the oil ran back and into the plastic cover. Not a huge deal, but it made a bit of a mess and added an extra step removing the plastic cover for clean up. I'll be doing oil changes without ramps moving forward.
I used plastic Harbor Freight ramps (SKU 63956) that I already had on hand for changing oil on the wife's Honda. Got them on sale and they work great.
I used plastic Harbor Freight ramps (SKU 63956) that I already had on hand for changing oil on the wife's Honda. Got them on sale and they work great.
I have a decent pair of ramps, but your post highlights why I haven't used them for an oil change (yet). I had some thoughts about jacking the rear of the Land Cruiser and placing jackstands to keep it somewhat level while achieving extra clearance.
Yea, I've notice that as well. I don't think it really matters, since we are still getting almost all of the oil out, and replacing it with new oil. But I HAVE been considering a second set of identical (AutoZone) ramps for the rear wheels, moving forward.
