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

There are 49 plates here to go to powder coat tomorrow, I need to hopefully knock out a few front skids before it goes tomorrow. The long wait for powder coat is ending

 

@Classy63 Thank you for the email pics. Wifey said go for it, so I didn't wait and ordered non-powder coated 1/4" aluminum front + rear cat shields for my stock 2018 Tundra 1794 Edition 5.7L 4x4. Just like @CmdrD8TA did . I'll feel more at ease once I have these deterrent beauties on my truck. I mainly drive on the highway. If I drove off road then steel of course. It's about 3 years now, I have 98K on the truck and not one thing broke since I purchased it. I'll send pics once installed. Tyler, thank you for the website.

 

Ohh I think I see mine!!!

 

I like the look of bare aluminum and don't need the extra thickness for off roading. What's the consensus on how easy a sawzall will cut thru the 3/16 (or 1/4) aluminum?

 

I would guess that they can cut through it if determined so you are buying yourself an extra minute or two. Could be enough for thieves to wave off.

https://youtu.be/Gpq2Fh4TPoM

 

You’ll get more than a minute. A thief would have to cut much more than 4” to access the cats, and you can’t easily turn a sawzall blade once in the material.

It would be faster to undo the bolts than it would to cut the aluminum, even 3/16”.

 

Add the security bolts from screwed and no way they will be able to undo them. Plus the amount of steel you would have to cut, they would likely dull out or break a blade and have to change it out.

 

The tool for security bolts are a dime a dozen, if a thief wanted to remove a security bolt they will, just as easy as any other bolt!

 

The tool for the "Screwd" security bolts are actually $25 for one...I believe that is the hardware that Ed was referring to.

 

So each set of security bolts "Screwd" has ot own unique tool needed to unbolt said bolt?...if so I can see that being somewhat of a reason to stop it.

 

Totally Awesome. Thanks Tyler for the update sir. Hopefully you take some time to take a break man.

 

Not entirely unique, but not your "dime a dozen" torx pattern. It is a proprietary pattern (actually made by Bryce Fastener) that can only be purchased through them or through authorized suppliers. You won't find them at Home Depot or Ace Hardware.

And, as has been stated here in the past more than once, this is only keeping the smash-and-grabber from stopping long enough to realize it's not worth the effort. Someone with motivation and time is going to get to those "cats" just the same as someone that wants to get into your house is going to do so despite how many dead bolts and cross bars you have on your doors and windows.

 

FWIW, I opted for the thicker 1/4" to make things as miserable as possible for a determined thief while taking advantage of the lightweight + rust-free properties of aluminum to make maintenance easier. If money was tight I probably would have done 3/16" as a trade-off, but I'm in a good spot so the extra $100 on top of a $550 baseline was worth it for the aforementioned reasons.

 

What are these breaks you speak of?? I am perpetually exhausted. Unloading the aluminum and plates I need to keep for bare orders, and then loading all of the steel I have been stock piling waiting for my main powder coater to start back up... probably 2500 pounds on that trailer.

Tomorrow I am going to try and knock out all the shipped orders I can... Saturday finish whatever I didn’t ship, and jump on knocking out the front skid plates now that my new welding machine is here

 

They have a few sizes. There are certain tips for each size. For example, the 3/8 16 uses their #37 whether its a 1 inch, 2 inch, or 4 inch long bolt. A 1/2 bolt would use a different tip which will be cut slightly different. As mentioned, these are a deterrent and will work well for most thieves, but whats to say a thief wouldn't order one if he knew that everyone was ordering the 3/8 bolts. I will reach out to Screwd though and see if they keep a database of sales. I have heard that there is a company that does.

 

Finished installing the front and rear cat plates. Can vouch for Tyler on this product. Fast Communication, Packaging was superb and definitely worth the wait. Took as much time getting the shields out of the packaging as installing them, which was a one man job. The only thing was that I had to take off the transfer case skid as the rear shield rubbed on it.
Pictures don't do this plate justice.

 

Those look amazing! I need to make a better install guide, that one I have is ok. I am so happy these shipped well and they really pop

 

Anyone else awaiting the 5 pack of security bolts to restock from Screwd? I'm thinking about buying the 25 pack since they wont break up of 1.5" and 4" bolts. I would be willing to purchase 4 extra bits too but would need 4 more guys to commit at $65 shipped for (5) 1.5" 3/8-16 Button Head , (5) 4" 3/8-16 Button Head and the bit.

 

The #37 fits both bolt lengths. Just an FYI, the 2 inch will also fit both crossmembers with no issues. I bought the 2 inch because the 1.5's were sold out in the 5 pack.

 

Will the 1.5" fit or do you think we should go with the 2"?

 

Yes the 1.5 will fit just fine with plenty of thread protrusion. The DE skids came with the Torx bolt that was 1.5. I checked to see how much room there was with the 1.5 installed and then ordered the 2 inch because they had a 5 pack in stock at the time.

 

Thank you George now to find 4 people

 

What is the pricing on the packs?

 

Around $100 for a 25 pack IIRC and the tips are about $20 each.

https://screwdsecurity.com/collecti...screwd®-machine-screws?variant=32004809097325

 

$118.74 3/8-16 x 4" QTY 25
$86.25 3/8-16 x 1 1/2" QTY 25
$19.75 bit

 

Can you give me more information and preferably a link?

 

https://screwdsecurity.com/products/3-8-16-button-head-screwd®-machine-screws?variant=32004836458605

 

Lol...I just posted the same thing. @Classy63 I sent you a PM.

 

I seen that too hahaha im not sure why this isn't updating sooner.