RCI cat protection is coming

in for that extension to the extension plate

 

I highly doubt that is going to happen seeing their responses.

 

I suppose it's good that I bought when that 15% code was active, because it's going to leave about 15% of my cats exposed.

 

Actually since the rear cats can easily be cut off, I’d say it’s leaving about 50% of your cats exposed.

 

Taller side wall would fix the issue with the last pic where you attack it from the front.

Rear access issue is more difficult to cover using their system. May require a third plate mounting across the support member. It doesn't have to be too tall looking at how much clearance you have for your saw.

 

Jesus. I’m going to suggest that those that aren’t satisfied simply return their product, eat any restocking fees, and move the fuck on. I’m all for problem solving and such, but some of you are acting like children.
Photos of the guards installed are available on RCI’s site. You knew what you were buying, or should have, before you bought it.


Sorry if I offend anyone, but maybe you could go start a fab shop and make you own? Then let people bitch about your quality, supply issues, pricing, whatever. Nobody is stopping you.

 

There you go everyone, problem solved... Instead of suggesting ways to improve a product and even offering to pay more for it, just start your own fabrication business and design, market, and produce your own cat plate. Piece of cake.

 

Pics I saw when I ordered were on a “like tundra 4runner” or maybe it was a 2022 tundra.
I sent them a personal email, laid out the obvious issues.
Response said no complaints so far.
I asked about “security bolts or other options” so they couldn’t “just cut the plates off in 5 minutes. RCI believes that you are ok cause “they only have a sazalls” not wrenches.
I did my truck and a Buddy’s. Are they perfect? No. Would they stop average Joe sazall? Maybe.
Do I like the tone of the response from RCI - No.
They know best! Sign me up for the $50 extra full coverage! No thefts with their plates…If I wanted to risk it, I would have bought a Ford!

 

How are people acting like children when they are giving rci a feed back? Yes there were photos but people are providing photos of some of the weakness in their design. So people can’t give them feedback to improve their product? Even if they bought it?

 

Here's my 0.02, worth less than that probably...

The fronts are covered pretty well. As for security bolts, you could use jb weld or similar on the bolts that actually hold the cat plates to the main skid. Or just weld the cat covers on permanently and skip the bolts. I doubt anyone will be removing just those cat guards without dropping the whole plate for maintenance, because you'll never get them back on without dropping the skid.

Security bolts for the skid. I'm not as worried, because any thief that is going to lug around a drill driver and assortment of sockets/extensions, a sawsall, and a grinder are prepared to take damn near anything off the truck they want. These guys will likely have an assortment of security bolt "keys" as well.

The rear plate is held to the crossmember with carriage bolts, as is the crossmember to the frame. It is a PITA to reach up with a wrench (even a ratcheting wrench) to drop the back skid. Again, if they're that prepared they'll take the cats and anything else they want regardless.

While I agree the rears are a little more exposed than I'd prefer, they will still likely deter the average opportunistic crackhead. The rear access would be easier to resolve with an additional plate or wing on the rear of the skid. The gap would be more difficult to design a "pretty" solution, but could be handled easy enough by myself if I become so inclined to fabricate an ugly, half-assed solution.

I do think a lot of the feedback provided is good (especially from the guy who broke out a sawsall to test access).

 

Just finished the install. I missed this thread before starting and oh man those rear bolts attaching to the crossmember bracket are a huge PITA. I was able to do a modified version of attaching the skid plate to the bracket before installing the bracket to the crossmember just so I didnt have to drop the whole thing and start over. But this needs to be included in the directions.

And echoing what others have said I am pretty disappointed in the rear cat protection. If you go solely based off the pics on the RCI website, you wouldn't think there is any issue at all. That to me is flat out misleading (taking into account their own response earlier): https://rcimetalworks.com/https:/rcimetalworks.com/catalytic-guard-22-present-tundra/ Yes it is better than nothing but had I known I would have gone with Valhalla which offers better protection.

 

Just got mine installed. A little peace of mind..

 

Got my cat guards the other day. Gonna try to get them on this week or weekend. Then I got a job putting rock lights on. I’m gonna have to do a build thread sometime so I can kinda keep track of all the stuff I put on.

 

We will just have to wait and see if any of us will be the first victim to stolen rear cats with RCI cat guards. Until then mines are staying on.

 

Will be interesting to see...I'm not particularly worried about theft out of my driveway so the RCI might be the best and cheapest option for me since I was looking at their skid plate anyway.

 

I have a set of these with an older unused and undrilleid rci t case skid. Valhallas arrived first. Pretty sure I can reach a sawzall in just like the rci. I will check in a couple weeks when I get my truck back up on the lift.

 

Got mine installed this morning! Big thanks to @AZBoatHauler for the suggestion to leave the crossmember mount attached to the skid and just unbolt that from the rear crossmember. Also thanks to @Lodge14 for the instructions. They have since been added to the site.
I am a little concerned about how close the car guard is to the alignment bolts on the lower arms. I also wasn’t thrilled to give up the flush bolts where the engine and trans skids match up, but I understand why that had to happen. If I winched, dragged, or slid over rocks more it would be a downer. I’m ok with it, just wish I’d known that going in. For me it’s worth it. Overall happy with the product.

 

It was probably the best solution since you can't really access the space to tighten the nuts if carriage bolts were used. If I was banging it around in rocks, I'd probably look for something like this (but longer, obviously) to use instead.

 

I ended up canceling my order for Vahallia Shield due to long delays which I was aware of when I placed order. Tyler was gracious to return my money with no questions asked and responded promptly.

I saw that RCI had their cat guards up and running. I pulled the trigger and ordered transmission skid and cat guards. Received them in great condition last week with only a two week wait. Kind of disappointed that the holes to attach the guards weren’t already drilled out since both were purchased at same time.

Got holes drilled and everything put together. Now to get it put on truck which I’m not looking forward to due to the weight of this thing put together. It is heavy. It seems very well built and I believe it will be a deterrent against thieves. Nothing is 100% in this world against theft but I will do my damndest to make it harder for them.

 

Ok. Finally had a chance to put my set of plates under the truck today. My thoughts are below:

Build quality is what I would expect from an established company at this price point. Finishes are good, but not great. I’m absolutely fine with this. It’s under my truck; not on the dash.

Fitment wasn’t too bad, but in my opinion, the directions are poorly put together. Putting the front on is no problem, but the rear is a challenge if you have bigger hands. Trying to get the left side 5/16” x 1” carriage bolts installed near the transfer case was a huge pain. I found it easier to get the passenger side tight, and then put the driver side bolts through the holes and mark them. I then loosened the crossmember and lowered the rear of the back plate. Slip the short carriage bolts in and make them all tight. Reinstallation of the crossmember is super easy afterward.

A few suggestions:

Add retainer washers for the (5) 8mm bolts that hold the engine skid on. This is a big help for those that use the diff drop spacers, as you don’t need to fish the spacers in to place. I had some, so I used them. Worked great.

Send the right size and quantity of the retainer washers that are provided. The (3) 1/4” x 3/4” carriage bolts for the front bumper cover containment are supposed to have retainer washers. My set was short some of these. Inconvenient, but not the end of the world.
The 3/8” x 4” carriage bolts for the rear of the engine skid plate are supposed to have retainer washers, but the ones sent in my kit were too large. They fell right off. Luckily, I was doing a full set with cat guards, so I swapped these out for cap screws as directed.


My thoughts:

Will it prevent theft of cats? No.
Will it make it harder? I believe it will.
I also think it would be easier to drop the plate and go after the cats than trying to work around.
That said, I think this should be a good deterrent, which is all we can ask for anyway.

 

just ordered my RCI skid plate/ transmission/ and catalytic skid plates. 15% off for the 4th holiday - Looking forward to not having to worry about cat thieves.

 

I just finished RCI install. Added splash of red high temp paint just because i had it.
Ratcheting combo wrench is your friend on the back crossmember bolts.

 

What do you think is wrong with Valhalla Cat plates? I have them and they are great.

 

Nothing. I already had the RCI transmission skid so I was hoping their cat plates would work and I could sell valhallas for a lot more than the RCI cost. But the RCI skids didn’t seem to cover anything so I returned them and put the Valhalla on.

The only issue I have with the Valhalla is the passenger side rear is exposed. He had a plate for 2wds that I’m going to order and cut in half to cover that side. The transfer case covers the rear drivers side.

 

Ahh ok….I have yet to put on the rear plate. Been waiting on my security bolts, which I just received yesterday. I’ll be able to see what you mean, then. He also just made an end plate you attach on the back of the rear plate to give that folded up look to block even more possible access points. Just adds on to more money to spend tho.

 

That end plate is the one I was referring to. I’m going to order it to help protect the passenger side. I’m glad I went with the Valhalla. It’s really good quality. It cost me $50 in shipping and 15% restock fee and a phone call 3 weeks after RCI received them to get my refund. There’s a pic earlier in this thread that shows how you can easily get a saw in there.

The bad thing about these is that you’ll never know if they worked. I could’ve had 10 people try to steal mine and get deterred or I could end up never having anyone try.

 

At least you get a little peace of mind too. No news is good news!!

 

does anyone have a write up on install? Mine came in early but have been neglecting install due to my busy schedule. I plan to change all differential fluids while I’m in there since you have to remove to change again.

 

Not sure what you’re looking for. They do send directions, or you can print them. Their directions aren’t great, in my opinion, but will get the job done. My advice is to remain patient and take your time. If you have cat guards, measure carefully where they go before you drill the holes. If anything, you’ll want to place them a cunt hair further apart than the directions show to prevent rubbing on the crossmember hardware…

 

Check this post, it has the PDF instructions on what to do for the install: https://www.tundras.com/threads/rci-cat-protection-is-coming.102616/page-6#post-2795225

Heed @AZBoatHauler advice: https://www.tundras.com/threads/rci-cat-protection-is-coming.102616/page-6#post-2795308


TLDR; Get several quality drill bits; get drill bit lubricating oil; measure 3 times, drill once; after drilling the holes, attach mounting bracket, use floor jack to lift up the entire thing and tighten bolts with a ratcheting wrench.