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

Maybe so, I don't know. Might help some versus "in excess of 4 weeks".

 

I get that, and I understand the frustration. When I ordered I had been viewing this thread for a while and from others posting when they received their orders and how long it took I figured I'd be waiting about 10 weeks for the material/thickness I chose and it came in right around that.

From what it seems people waiting for 3/16" aluminum are still around that mark of 10-12 weeks and it seems like 1/8" steel is 12+ weeks. I could be wrong but that's what it looks like from what I've seen posted. Maybe Tyler can give some updates at some point. Or maybe others could post how long it took to receive their recent orders and what they ordered to give people that are waiting an idea.

I ordered front and rear 3/16" aluminum powder coated black with nut plate and security bolts and it took about 9 weeks.

 

so the "contact us" on Vallhallashields.com is a good contact method?

 

The problem is not a supply chain problem. The problem is that Tyler is a one man shop and that he offers so many options that he is simply overwhelmed. I’ve been In business for a long time and easily recognize an unsustainable situation when I see one. I’m sure he is also burned out constantly being in a catch up situation. I fully support him in every way but strongly believe he needs to make a business decision to consolidate his cat plates and simplify his offering to a single material and thickness. Bottom line, folks want cat protection and if he offered a single offering he would be able to mass produce it and ship extremely fast. @Classy63 I hope you take note of this post so that you can keep up with your compatetion and prevent the restless natives.

 

Thanks for the info. Don't get me wrong; I'm not frustrated and realize that things are taking time. Your comment about an update maybe being provided at some point is what I was getting at in my post. I think that the vast majority of folks who order from Tyler are patient and accommodating as long as some periodic updates are made. I trust him and know that he is working hard.

 

Good news, the new nut plates are made, they are shipping tomorrow and I will have them Friday. These are much more professional and we won’t have the same issues again. The thing about the nut plates is they were never a planned item, so it wasn’t something I thought to have produced like this. It is just one more thing I won’t have to take care of so I can spend more time shipping.

 

That looks good! I got my plates installed last week.

A friend got his at his dealership. He had harassed me about how long I waited for mine, but he is pretty jealous now, and I can work under my truck without a box of Band-Aids.

 

They got my dad's 08 while he was substituting at an Elementary school. Parked within view of the front office windows, too.

Nobody's safe. Going in any store with a big parking lot is like a race against time and playing roulette with your ignition.

 

If you sent my nutplate in early April, will I have an issue with the one I have?
Thanks..

 

I've been waiting 7 months for Toyota to get my cat parts in.
That makes @Classy63 look pretty damn good..

 

For what its worth, I got my cat replacement installed. Included both cats back to the muffler and all the sensors and cut wiring. I used a dealership in DFW area.

My ‘14 Crewmax 5.7 had cats stolen on Christmas Eve. Had been paid and waiting for 5 months before repair.

Last Saturday, the dealer said parts are in and ready to install… and “would you also like one of these aftermarket cat shields we have?”

I don’t think I even hesitated, did I?

 

The nut plates are hit or miss, check them against the front cat plate, if it fits in the slots, you are good, if it is wide, lemme know and I will send you a new one

 

Are you shipping mine today?

 

The nut plates won’t make it today… they will be here tomorrow. I will ship a lot of these out Monday

 

I got lucky on mine, my local Independent Toyota Mechanic happened to have some on the shelf.

 

Will the new nut plate work on the shields made last year? I installed my shields with the regular nuts, but would like to get the nut plate when the shield have to come off for a lube. Do you sell the nut plate separately? I don’t see it on post 1? What is the cost?

 

Yes, I sell the nut plate separately on my website

 

All Products (valhallasshields.com)

 

Installed mine today. For those that ask; Ordered 2/15, and received 5/25 Bare Aluminum.

I ordered the Penta Bolts and the skid buttons for the bolt heads.

A few changes from the installation instructions on Tyler's web page:

1) With the Penta Bolts, you only need two box wrenches; 3/4 and 9/16. One 1/2 inch ratchet for the Penta socket and 3 /4 long socket for the passenger side Z Bracket top nut.
2) The 9/16 nuts by the rear cats are the worst of the whole job. Getting a long 9/16 box wrench on them is a challenge, but doable.
3) Follow the mockup procedures in order and the plates will hang in place while you work on them. All 6 rear bolts are accessible from the rear of the truck over the plates.
4) The nut on the rear passenger side top plate for the Z Bracket does need some patience and a 3/4 long socket will be your friend to avoid damage to the brake lines near your nut.

Took my time and gave myself some room with jack stands, and took just under an hour for front and rear plates. Could install next time in half the time.

Here are some pics.

Randy

Rear Small Nut on cross member Passenger Top Side nut near brake lines Completed front and rear

 

Placed an order for aluminum engine skid and front cat plate.

 

I picked mine up from Tyler today. Drove home and installed it all.

Reviewed the installation instructions, drove my truck up onto some Rhino ramps, grabbed my tools and my creeper, and I went at it. Start to finish, it took me about 1.75 hours doing it alone. Put the Z brackets on first, loosely. Then I did the front bolts for the front plate. I put the front plate on my chest and rolled under the truck with it. Slipped it place, then put in the rear bolts for the front plate leaving enough room to slide the rear plate in. I put the rear plate on my chest and rolled under the truck with it. Slid the rear plate up under the front plate, then put in the blots to fasten it to the Z brackets. Starting at the front and working my way back, I tightened everything up while making sure everything stayed in position while I did it. Then I took the truck for a spin. No rattles, no vibrations. It turned out very well.

Tyler’s work is fantastic. These are well finished pieces with no sharp or rough edges. The powder coating was great and very consistent. Everything lined up flawlessly. Very well made, and well worth the wait (though I wished that I had ordered much earlier and saved myself a lot of anxiety parking just about anywhere in the city).

I used the RockHard domes, and there was a bit of a learning curve when it came to keeping the Pentabolt socket on the bolt head once I started tightening things up. While not a difficult install, getting the wrenches on the nuts and working the bolts was tedious enough to seriously deter a would-be thief from trying to remove them to get to my cats.




A big Thank You to @Classy63

 

Looks like you left the small skid plate on the transfer case. Not an issue if you don't get any vibration. Not sure if there has been a design change that allows the transfer plate skid to be left on.

 

Did you put/need the domes on the side bolts?
Asking for me when I install mine.....

 

Same question. I only got 4. After looking at it, even if someone removes the Z bracket bolts, what are the chanced they can pry the rear protector enough to gain access when the two bolts joining the rear and front plates to the truck are still secured.

And from an actual bolt protection standpoint, sliding over rocks or what have you, those Z bracket bolts are way tucked away. They'd smash steps or sliders before them.

 

Every little bit of security helps. I used the dome washers a on the z brackets as well.

 

I used the Rock Domes on all eight bolts. Now you know.

 

I ordered 8 large domes, but I only used 6. You can use the domes on the bolts that fasten the Z bracket to the frame, but I couldn’t get them to fit on the bolt that fastens the Z bracket to the shield (without modifying the dome). I’ll take pics of it tomorrow.

 

I tested yesterday and this morning already, zero vibration. Perhaps the Aluminum doesn't carry the vibration issues as much as steel would? There is clearance between the two though. At least 1/4 inch.

Randy

 

I ordered eight before I received the shields with bolts. Since I had them, I used them.

Randy

 

Would love to know pros and cons of this setup vrs full RCI system.