no it does not come with a skid plate
near the 4 corners of the skid plate are 12mm bolts,(one at each corner) remove the bolts and unhook a hook arm (by slightly lifting up on bottom of skid plate) from the center bottom of skid plate and lower skid plate to the ground. skid plate removed. <these directions were done by me to remove the skid plate from my 1994 4runner.>
The skid plate does not have to be removed in order to access and change the filter.
No. The skid plate doesn't have to be removed.
Yes, the skid plate is also the trans mount crossmember.
If it has a skid plate it would be underneath the vehicle protecting the vitals such as the engine and transmission oil pans.
You will see the skid plate under the vehicle on the front. That skid plate extends back about 3 feet. Dead center of that skid plate on the rear is a cutout. Look in that cutout and you will see the drain plug.
skid plate
There is a skid plate on the bottom rear of the machine. Remove the skid plate and you can see the drain plug on the bottom of the tank. There is a second drain plug also forward more.
The 2003 tocoma has a two peice skid plate. Three bolts in the front by the radiator housing and two bolts in rear into the frame with two bolts connecting the two piece skid plate together. remove the rear skid plate first then remoive the front with a rathet. If I remember it is a 10mm bolt for the back piece and a 15? for the front three?
The plate on the underside of the vehicle that protects the vital areas of an engine or transmission.
www.raceskids.com - not yet on their site but email them. Pics posted at http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33738&highlight=skid+plate