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

Another reason I'm running ethanol. If they steal it and put it in their car, there's a fair chance they don't have a flex fuel and run lean/ melt plugs/ wreck the pump/ etc and I can take solace in that.

I saw an older Dodge Caravan that got hit for the cat today. He said F it and drove on, the clean-cut exhaust dangling down and all. It was only about a mile from work. Disconcerting...

 

@Classy63 Would you mind checking order# R913231757 2/15/22.

Thanks,
Randy

 

Any hard hit areas by you? I know UCF was hit hard a few weeks ago. I haven't heard anything over here on the Tampa side of the state.

 

Me too.
Hope to get my rear shield before I get the truck back.
Tyler said it would ship soon.

The way things are looking, I'll have the V3 before I get the truck back..

 

If you ordered the 3/16 like I did get some help putting that mfer on.

 

I have a cheap sharbor fright transmission jack I purchased years ago that I'm hoping will serve as my best friend on the install

 

ok, i've seen it mentioned a few times....what is the V2 and V3?

 

I installed the 3/16 steel plates without too much trouble, and without a jack for the plate. The truck was on ramps and had a furniture dolly to roll the plate over next to me. Pulled it on top of me and lifted it up and into place. It's not the most comfortable thing I've ever done; but it wasn't bad. For context, I'm a mid-50's dad-bod kind of guy; so if you're in any decent shape at all, you can get it done.

 

Yea I should have done that with a dolly but I didn’t have one. Even a creeper would have helped

 

It is the design difference, I think the major where some of metal bending and bracket design, as well as the vertical piece on the back of the rear plate to add another layer of protection for extra long blades....
Think of it like an L, backwards on the inside of the plate sticking up so it blocks the entry way from the back side to cut the cats.

 

The hardest part for my install was getting my big hands in there to hold the wrench while I tightened everything up. You just have to contort around a bit but it can be done.
I also installed the Rock Domes from Rock Hard 4X4 to help protect the pentagon bolt heads from getting scraped. The domes also make it harder for anyone to try and saw off the bolt heads since they are recessed in the domes.

Just read the install guides before starting the install so you know what to expect.

How-to installation guides guides for Valhalla cat shields and skid plate.

This is the best I was able to find for installing all three items (Skid, Front & Rear Cat plates)
It is from @3rdTundra and has outstanding instructions on a PDF.
https://www.tundras.com/posts/2338309

Then there is a great guide on installing the Front & Rear cat plates from @CmdrD8TA.
It has a link to an off-site install guide in pdf (it is over the forum 20meg limit)
https://www.tundras.com/posts/2249889

 

@Classy63 I know you are on your way down for racing, but when you get a chance, maybe update the first post with all those write up, at least the links to it.
You have some awesome people who did great jobs installing those and documenting them. I am sure they will be more than happy to share the guide....

 

You might want to read his post listed below - last line:

 

I know a creeper. Even my wife noticed the creepiness. I wouldn't ask him to help. Just my $.02.

 

Should hopefully be seeing my order to come in within the next couple weeks and wanted to ask some insight on what paint product to put on it? It’ll be the bare aluminum and figured I’d rattle can spray paint it.

 

Hello!

Internet here is beyond bad. I get decent for a few minutes then is fades away…

next week I will be powering through shipping plates, I even have the BDS adapters finally, so those orders will be shipping aswell!

Depending when I get to the hotel tonight, I want to power through some messages and emails, I have been trying to while I am working the front gate, but not very successfully.

V3 will have the option for the spine and the gusseted Z brackets whether it is 2wd or 4x4. The 1/4 aluminum one I did, it surprised me how much stouter it was. Zero flex.

 

Installed my shields today. Not a difficult process. My 23 year old daughter gave me a hand so it went pretty smooth. I am glad I paid for the aluminum for the weight reduction.

 

Has anyone got a good grip on the lead time for these plates, ballpark? I keep seeing times between 4 weeks and 3 months.

 

The lead times can vary depending on activity and other outside factors. The best thing to do is not to debate with yourself and just place the order. There’s a lot of guys here that wished they placed that order instead of debating it.

 

I totally agree but already ordered mine about 6 weeks ago. The problem is that we are going to start to travel around the country pretty quick. I don't mind waiting but I don't want to hit the road before I get the plates on. That leaves me with a decision. If it's going to be months they I need to cancel and order through someone else. I would rather support Tyler but that might not be an option depending on the lead time.

 

As of May 5th I'm at 12 weeks.

 

Why not PM him with your order number for an update?

 

I hate to bother the guy. He's already up to his ass in alligators. I will do that if time gets real tight.

 

You won’t be bothering him. Just explain your situation and timeline and I’m sure he’ll do his best to work it out with you.

 

I ordered 2/15/21, Tyler PM'd me a few days ago, said he expects to ship this coming week at some point. I ordered Aluminum, with no finish. This post is a not a knock on him, purely giving you a real world expectation.

Randy

 

I would say PM him, because that gives him a thread to follow and easier to follow up from your side, too.
I mean, I love him the fact he took some time to be personal, family and love comes first no matter what.
Now, business can be tricky, and in all honest, it will be 2023 because things start to look up, my industry is predicting 2025 for comeback, but now that's not looking so bright.

 

So I ordered mine a week ago and asked for a realistic time frame, just not rushing him. I have the simple steel powder coated black and he said about 8-10 weeks.

 

Sounds like a good answer. Thanks

 

Ordered 1/28/2022.
Starting my 14th week waiting on my rear plate..
Got the front plate about a month ago.

Told me he would ship my rear plate mid-April.
It's now May 9th..

I get it he's a one-man operation.
But, don't make commitments you don't keep.

 

Ouch. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm second guessing my decision.