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

Auto Zone has it in a spray can. Its for these 2 panels.

 

So, alittle update on things.

First I hired a helper, she has been so damn helpful.
Second, I have all the aluminum plates now to catch up to orders made up to last week. Steel isn’t far behind.
Third, powder coat is finally happening and I expect to get 46 plates back this week and drop another 50+ off for another load. I am working hard to catch up on this ugly back log and get back on track with 2-3 week lead times. Thank you everyone for your patience.
I am planning on shipping plates out almost every day this week.
Forth, I think I have made the final design changes after installing the 4th and 5th front skid plate. I still plan on releasing the front skid plate for sale on May 1st. I am removing 2 of the 3 posts in the middle of the skid plate (picture provided). The one that remains will be supported with a 5/8’s bolt through the frame, this will reduce the amount of time it takes to make the plates.

 

Glad things are getting better for you and that you have some help. There another local story this week about cat theft in Austin. Will the engine skid be in steel only or aluminum as well?

 

To start, it will be in steel only, BUT there is no reason it couldn’t be made from aluminum. The only down side I see is I would have to use rivnuts on the aluminum where I would normally weld a nut on the steel

 

What thickness will the aluminum front skid be and would the rear skids need to be the same thickness? Trying to plan the whole build out. I’d like to do all three at the same time.

PS-I’m located about 40 minutes from Cypress.

 

3/16 or 1/4” aluminum. you can have any combination you want

 

My helper welding a front skid plate! (She has an associate in welding btw)

 

You go girl!!

 

AWESOME!!!!!

 

Hopefully that’s mine she’s working on. Great to hear your expanding!

 

Do all trucks appeal to the thieves or just newer vehicles. I have a 2007 and next door is a 2020 which one is more vulnerable. Not ease of theft but, which is more valuable. Is a thief going to waste time on older trucks?

 

It isn’t yours, but I have yours here

 

They will take them out of just about anything.

 

While catalytic converters precious metals are not "consumed" in the catalytic process converting carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons to Co2, the cats get loaded with the pollutants over time. Therefore, newer/low mileage cats are more valuable. This is why the cats on hybrids like the Prius are being targeted as well. Low emissions means low loading of the cat which makes up for the difficult access. Therefore, the discerning thief would target newer trucks, but who knows how discerning thieves are.

 

Watch this video starting at the 1:30 mark and listen to how polite one of the thieves is.

https://www.rightthisminute.com/video/aggressive-driver-wont-stop-steal-catalytic-converters

 

Got them installed, very high quality product, thanks Tyler. Glad I went with you and not the other guy

 

The other is really starting to irritate me. I have texted twice this week with no response.

 

I gave up on the other guy months ago after 9 weeks of saying next week call me, thankfully Tyler's name came out. And Tyler's is much better, The other guys not only doesn't protect the rear, it is not a direct bolt on if you are lifted

 

I have the DE plate and Tyler's plate for the rear. I'm trying to get a plate for the 4Runner, and DE is the only one currently working on one.

 

I am planning on expanding in the near future, I would support the 4Runner, taco and more later once I do

 

@Classy63 - I think your plates are causing Trey a shortage of items to sell. From the looks of it, 6 trucks were sacrificed for the listing

https://offerup.com/item/detail/1061026731/

 

So, planning for the future, I am planning on making a version 2 rear skid plate, it would have an optional spine to increase strength and I would also add a window for the transfer case to drain the oil.
I also want to design something for the 2wd folks who don’t have a giant transfer case to help prevent theft.
The front skid plate might go from 3 piece to 2
And the front cat plate will stay the same except it might get 2 more holes in it.
I have had some requests for a transmission oil drain hole, but the reality is, to service the transmission, you need to drop the pan and change the filter.

 

Toyota recommends against changing the filter/screen and there have been quite a few people on here who had issues dropping the pan like broken bolts. One guy changed his at around 170k mile or so and it was not dirty at all.

 

That post got reported to police didn't it?

 

When are you thinking about these updates happening? Not sure where I am on the list, but interested in hearing more about the spine. just for skid plate type of strength or is there is something more to it?

 

The spine would be simple to add in, I could price materials and time to weld it in

 

sheeesh

 

Just ordered the aluminum front cat protector. Super pumped. They're plucking cats off of cars around here like they're made of gold

 

I'd recommend both plates. Just the front one would leave the rear two cats exposed. (Unless you have them covered some other way...)

 

@Classy63 Have you had anyone with BDS 7" lift order one of these to see if it fits? I would purchase one of these (skid version) in a heartbeat if it would fit