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

Not sure I agree it's not a big deal when there were no issues with the fitment when I ordered and now there appears to be.

 

I ordered base thinking that. I'm ok with bare (steel) plates as I'll paint them some sunny afternoon so it's not a big deal.

 

I can understand that. I was just so grateful to finally have them after waiting 3 months that using a few extra washers seemed like a small matter to me.

 

Road Trip!

 

"There was about a 1/2" 'to 3/4" inch gap between where the rear plat bolts to the "Z" bracket." That's totally unacceptable

 

I agree.

 

Ok, for those with the Z brackets that don’t quite fit, I am willing to remake the Z brackets and send them out free of charge. Message me and I will put you on a list to get this fixed. It may be a few weeks, but I will get it fixed

 

Will all new orders as of Aug 1, 1/4 alum have new style Z brackets?

 

That is some good customer service right there.

 

There has been a change for the batches getting made now. I am going to test them, no matter what the new ones should be better. I may make another adjustment depending how it works out

 

Will this area have to do with or be affected by my C4 sliders?

 

Received my 3/16 aluminum shields last Saturday in good shape. Installed them today with my RCI shield. I ended up using the smaller diameter 4 inch bolts for the front and the small diameter 4 inch penta head bolts for the middle. There was a gap as mentioned in the previous posts so i fabricated a spacer out of piece of 1/2 inch starboard I had left over from years ago. Starboard is a marine board, impervious to saltwater and a lot of other things. It could have been thinner but it worked. Some photos of the fabrication and install. I also installed 1/8 neoprene pieces between the plates in places to eliminate any rattle. Also included a photo of the clearance of the rear shield. The existing small shield was removed per instructions.

(sorry about the order, operator error)

 

The spacers go against the frame, not between the plates, but if you clear everything I guess you are good

 

Regarding the Z bracket, I had the same exact issue with spacing on the driver side. I was in contact with Tyler after I finished doing the install and he told me that an impact would fix the gap issue. Sure enough, I was able to borrow an impact from a friend and it fixed it.

 

Curious as to why you didn’t just use the RCI supplied bolts to connect the RCI skid to the front cat plate? Due to the rounded heads they are already secure. I just simply loosened the rear RCI bolts and slid the front cat plate between it and the cross member.

 

Yep, I noticed that also. As mentioned it seemed to have clearance. I kinda like the idea of a gap for keeping dirt and water from being trapped imo.

I added a piece of neoprene between the frame and the cat plate to prevent vibration. It was just a U shape cut out, with 3/4 inch of material on the sides. It ended up being: frame, neoprene, cat plate, spacer, Cat plate.

 

II thought it was easier to just hold the nut with a wrench and use an impact wrench to tighten the bolt head. I tend to hit my knuckles on everything…
I also had them available as I bought the penta bolts for the other location.

 

just by coincidence I ended up with almost exact spacing on both sides. Same size spaces on both, but a tight fit, a tap in was required. The z bracket does not flex much. The short 1 1/8 bolt was already locked down,…. that was a beast to tighten, as my impact wrench was no match for that locknut.

 

When I first saw the gap, I untightened most of the bolts on most of the plates and repositioned with no luck on fixing the gap. I didn't have any problems on the passenger side fortunately. Regardless, I am so happy that I can drive my truck to a public parking lot and not feel anxiety when I walk back to my truck worried I won't have any cats when I get back!

 

After being under the truck for awhile, I see it would be easy picking to get the Tundra’s cats. I posted a local news article where they arrested a guy with 800 cats. I was also nervous about just going to the hardware store with the truck after hearing how fast they operate. I have the penta bolts, but I think a thief will just look at the cat plates and move on.

The tundra is not the only target, there was a news article on FB locally where they took the Chevy cats one day, and the next and the next day the rest of the truck was stolen… I guess if your cats are stolen, still lock your truck..

 

Check out this doozy of a news report on what thieves did in Houston! I fortunately have a garage I keep my truck in.

https://abc13.com/car-theft-tow-trucks-houston-crime/10958135/

 

Hi Tyler, how are you doing on the steel 1/8” black power coat orders?

placed July 1.
Order number R050445112

Can I get status?
Thx!

 

I will be dropping them off to powder coat this week

 

Got my front steel plate in today. Waiting on the bolt head protector from Barnes4WD before I install it.

 

Oops. Didn’t realize that. I’ll have to rearrange mine up against the frame.

 

Does the skid plate work with a ready lift 8" lift?

 

Hi Tyler,

Can I get an update on R820856448/R986754606?

Thanks

 

Yes! Order the lifted plate

 

I am hoping to start shipping bare steel tomorrow