Valhalla’s Shield theft deterrent/skid plates info and ordering post

Well I really want to purchase the skid but........ if worse comes tk worse I’ll just get the front and rear cat plates..

do these match the rci skid plate? Any modifications? Can’t seem to find a trd skid used anywhere

 

I would buy one, may not a Purple tho.

 

Honestly what I need to do is get a bunch of tundras together, all lifted between 6-8 inches and just go measure crazy, I have an idea, but I would need to be sure

 

I installed the aluminum plates today. With the standard hardware, I'm not longer worried about anyone trying to remove the plates. What I think is going to happen in reality is, they will cut out the rear cats and move on. The rear plate offers no real benefit and in hindsight, I wish I had just bought the front plate. If the rear plate didn't have the cutout design on the back side then it would be much more difficult to get a sawzall in there. As it is now, I had no problem sticking my full size Makita sawzall in there and could cut both frontsides of the rear cats easily. The thieves operate with smaller battery power units from what I've seen, which make it even easier. Perhaps the plate cutout is to make it easier to reach in and secure the bolts but it seems to render the rear plate pointless, in my opinion. I could still tighten the bolts properly if the cutout wasn't there. which I verified. Also the rear plate seems to be at least half the aluminum of the front plate but is only $50 less in cost. This leads me to believe that the cost is more in the labor to prepare the plate and if that's the case, not adding that cutout would be preferable to me.

If this post in inappropriate in a vendor thread, I can move it to a review thread. See the provided pictures.

 

Leave it, I want honest feed back. Honestly, the 2 wheel drive trucks have a lot of room back there, the 4 wheel drive trucks have a big ole transfer case there that makes it much more inconvenient.

 

Why does the plate have the cutout? Is it to account for 4wd trucks?

My apologies if I missed some disclaimer that the rear plate was designed for 4wd trucks. If not then my suggestion would be to either add it or offer a 2wd plate option.

 

When you say cut out, what are you speaking about?

These plates were designed for both 2wd and 4wd, but 4wd obviously has better protection. Adding anything in the rear like a vertical plate could be done, but I worry about creating an air dam and holding heat

 

Just remember a thief is going to take whatever they want. Alarms, wheel locks, locking gas caps or cat plates are going do to 2 things. It makes them move on to another or just slows them down, remember they are determined to get something to support their habit. I'll get the plate to deter them and hopefully they move on. It's like car insurance, you have it for protection.

 

Not sure about the 2wd but for 4wd, there is no way anyone is getting a saw in there crawling on their back or belly. Even if they manage to cut the 3/16 side brackets, they are not bending that rear plate down.

 

You've cut this notch or swoosh instead of straight cut across. This is what allows the sawzall to still get in there.

 

Ah, that, it was cut in there to avoid a custom exhaust clashing issue

 

If I were to make a plate that would bolt in vertically with a lot of holes in it, would you be interested in that?

 

Sure but no need to attempt to dismiss my concerns. As it stands now, the current rear plate offers no added protection for a 2wd Tundra. My pictures make it clear that one can still insert a full size sawzall and remove the rear cats.

 

Sure

 

I went under my truck and snapped this picture and please forgive the finger painting, but if it looked something like this with supports angling in and bolting to the plate. I think this would be a good 2wd alternative

 

I also learned that sequoias have a boxed frame instead of the C channel the tundras have today, I have to change bolting for the sequoias with the rear plate

 

Yes and I can see it's clear that a 4wd is perfectly safe with the existing plate.

 

Not trying to dismiss your concerns, just stating the facts.

 

Fact 4wd is better

 

So is this a fact or are you dismissing my facts?

 

Yes.

 

And no

 

Also, maybe.

 

Yes it wasn’t

 

Wasn't it? Have we decided?

 

Absolutely possibly.

Tyler is going to boot us from he thread before I can order

 

I'm positively uncertain whether he will or not.

 

Moving on...

 

Tyler, do you have location from where we can purchase the engine skid plate you have in one of your posts? I would like to get all three of the plates if possible. Can you provide pics of all three skid plates again or the location of the pics? Your designs of the plates are well thought out. Nice work Tyler.