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

I am also in the Austin area. We decided to go with the pickup option to save some cash. Pretty decent savings and it was great to meet Tyler. We also went with the full plate set: engine, front and read cat plates in black powder coated steel. Glad we went this route. My full write-up for the install is in the attachment in the link below. It is a bit out of date as I think Tyler has changed some bolt sizes and the spacers are no longer used, but the general process is the same.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/3rdtundras-2017-double-cab-build.92631/#post-2338309

 

Hey Tyler, I only ordered about a month ago, I wanted to see if my order was in this batch you just received. Order R632977464.
Thanks!

 

Been waiting patiently since July and they finally showed up this morning. Had a little scare thinking someone snatched them but they just got delivered to the wrong apartment building (Thanks FedEx). Gotta say these were very well wrapped compared to other Tundra parts I’ve ordered in the past. Now I’ve got a mini project for the weekend getting these installed. Thanks Tyler!

 

I just got that load of aluminum in. Give me about a week to get to get through the older orders, but yours is here

I am going to be out of June, and I won’t have a problem getting through July and beating the crap out of August and September.
I need this steel order to catch me up the rest of the way. I think this steel order will be the last big order for me unless something changes drastically

 

Sounds good. I still want to order a front skid as well. Do you think you'll have a chance to have those made up quickly?

 

Steel or aluminum?

 

hi @Classy63, any chance R487017788 was one that you sent out? last i heard was that it is being laser cut.

just got caught up with the thread, hope your wife is recovering nicely.

 

Yes, your order is on my trailer right now.

My wife is recovering, it is a damn good thing I can be home to help her and to prevent her from doing stuff she shouldn’t

 

that's the nice thing about working from home or owning your own business. I have honey-to-do list while working from home. Glad to hear she is recovering nicely.

 

Aluminum, 1/4"

 

Yes, this will be started after the steel

 

Installed the front engine skid yesterday. Ran out of time, had to take the little guy to the Monster Truck show.

First attempt had the bumper valance under. Didn’t love the tabs. So I moved it over. Nothing really locking it in. But don’t think it is going anywhere. Is there a right or wrong way to do this? Does it matter?

Picked up the 1 1/8 socket so hopefully gonna get the rest up in a bit.

 

Got the full kit installed. Very happy @Classy63 Thanks @3rdTundra for the write-up. Definitely helped, even though there were some changes with the product.

I think made some mistakes. Switched the two short bolts I think. So I have the pentagon between the two engine plates not on the z bracket. And put a washer between the z bracket and rear plate. Might not have needed it. Then I was short a set of washers for those weld nuts on rear engine. Don’t know if I’m going to bother to fix it. Took a trip around the block. Didn’t hear any additional noise. But I already have a squeaky AAL.

My first impression, solid product, didn’t rest take me too long to install. Those nylon washers were no joke. If I had to order again, I might have skipped the rear plate. I’m not sure it adds too much more protection. And I could have avoided buying a new socket and wrench. But oh well. And to be fair, this is one of those products that I hope I “wasted” money on and never actually need it. But it does add a little piece of mind since this truck is always outside and our kids have hit the “travel sports” age and there will be a lot more out of town hotel stays in the near future.

 

So for the 3 tabs on the bumper, this has been a huge pain in my ass… this is my answer now, I tuck them in between the plate and the frame like you had it, or cut them off, they really do nothing and the plastic isn’t any looser

 

Today I was very happy to take care of some orders that have been looming over me, I am going to power more out more tomorrow and the rest of this week, I am digging myself out of this damn back log dammit

oh here is a front skid plate I welded out this afternoon for an order

 

I'm excited to know this is my order. On the other hand I'm glad your pushing out these orders and improving the quality control on these.

 

Alright, the next order has been sent to get done. This order catches me up to today, steel and aluminum

 

Congrats on getting caught up man. Now take it easy and take care of your wife, man!!!!

 

Take it easy, you are funny! I have so much stuff to ship

 

I've been wanting to order but keep reading the horror posts about adding them to the stock TRD skid plate. This still a thing or any good how-to on getting it done without hating life?

 

Is the RCI skid just as difficult as the TRD skid?

 

Yes

 

How bout your engine skid Tyler, is it a much easier install compared to RCI and or TRD??

 

Much easier! The engine skid has a 3-part design which allows easy access to the mounting bolts for the front cat plate. See pictures and my install write-up attached here:
https://www.tundras.com/threads/3rdtundras-2017-double-cab-build.92631/#post-2338309

 

I asked Tyler the same question before my purchase. He said that ease of install was the motivator behind his 3-part design.

 

Hey man, If you want some help with getting things ready to ship over the weekend, just let me know man. I'm willing help out - for free.

 

Yes, install is a breeze in comparison, my hands don’t bleed installing mine at least.

the other big perk of my front skid plate is front diff service is super easy to get too

 

Well, today I had a potential customer send me pictures of their tundra that had the driver’s side cats stolen, they had the desert eagle plate on and it didn’t stop them. Without the 4x4 stuff, it leave this area exposed. I suggest getting my front skid plate aswell to protect the front on the 2wd trucks.

but they essentially cut on either side of the plate and pulled it through

 

Trying to wrap my head around this scenario Tyler, so this was a 2x2 tundra w/ just a front cat skid, No engine skid or rear cat skid?...do you have pics of the damage done to victims DE skid?

 

2x4 and he said they cut on either side of the plate. The plate was probably left untouched/intact.