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

Got my order in yesterday.



Won't have time till next weekend to try to install them. I will also be replacing the factory skid plate with the TRD Pro plate at the same time. Anything I should note like in which order I should be installing them in? Any advice would be appreciated!

 

No need to relax anymore, I did that for two and a half months. I understand he’s one of the few making them which is why everyone here is giving this all a free pass, but for $700 I wasn’t expecting to have to Jerry rig the install and get brackets that don’t even fit. Nothing against him personally, just my .02.

 

Those bad Z-brackets have been a headache , I got some extra spacers to fill the gap, but that gap was a lot bigger so I ended up using them where they used to be mounted before being removed due to these new Z-brackets. I got the 1/8 steel back plate that bows a bit and I can hear the back plate hitting the transfer case when I hit a pothole at a good speed. I guess I'll have to live with that. At least my cats are safe now.

 

The steel order that is getting done now should be the permanent fix for the Z brackets

For those waiting for a BDS plate, I am test fitting a BDS lift today

 

Be sure to pick up some MORE shit paper today

 

So he came, I test fit it, and I have the measurements to make the adapter. His truck was lifted 6” I plan on making the adapter slotted to accommodate the 4.5” and 8” lift aswell.

 

Do you mean it was lifted 7"? BDS doesn't make a 6" Tundra lift - they make 4" & 7" bracket lifts (by the pic looks like he has one of the bracket lifts) & a 3" suspension lift.

 

You are correct, 4.5 and 7

I am drawing the adapter up now, I am likely going to expedite the order just to makes sure it all fits correctly so that I can sell it as an option. I will need some one to be my test dummy for a 4.5 though

 

Glad you were able to do this. I look forward to placing an order.

Edit: I’d gladly be your test dummy, but I have the 7” as well.

 

Well, nothing goes as planned. By coincidence, my truck was scheduled for the ToyotaCare maintenance this past Saturday. The Tuesday leading up to the appointment, I was sitting in my work's parking lot, truck started, foot on brake, trans in D, and I had three idiot lights (ABS, Brake, and Traction) flash. The radio lit me up with all kinds of warning messages, etc. So, after a quick call to the dealer, they said it was safe to drive. I figured - F ME - but at least the warranty was in effect. Side note: I'd decided to take the second plate (covering the first cats) to them to install while on the rack (I know the family and figured they would not rape me). So, here's the details:

1. All of the idiots lights (no, not the battery), the code it pulled was some brake sensor in the floor. The part is on order.
2. The plate slid right under the TRD Pro slid plate as advertised, but...
3. Once positioned, the holes on the end of the plate do not line up with the frame holes. I am about "1/2 moon of a bolt size" off. So, I've got to get the die grinder out to elongate the plate hole a bit. [The tech came and got me to see the amount the plate was off...he tried a lady foot pry bar to try to line it up but it was too much off.] Once I use the die grinder, it should be fine.
4. The slots in the rear plate do not accommodate a 1/2" bolt (figured that since the last rev came with 3/8" bolts), so will jigsaw/route/die grind the slots enough to accommodate the larger bolt. I knew I'd have to modify the rear plate fitment a bit because of the z-brackets (and I have Cali-Raised sliders on), so no worries.

At this point, I'm assuming the hole misalignment may be due to me upgrading the bolts (from 3/8" to 1/2")...but even with three bolts installed and torqued down, the plate is not rattling.

Overall, still pleased with the plates - I don't mind the modifications because if you are going to own something, damn, a person should get off their ass and learn to work on it. As a kid, I've sat over many buckets of diesel fuel cleaning engine parts when my Dad was rebuilding vehicles on the farm...didn't hurt me a bit.

 

The alignment with the TRD PRO plate is very odd. I have installed many, and did one today. I will say that sometimes getting it to fit right without a good shimmy and shake, I have had issues where I thought it was seated and I realized the slots were not lined up with the bolts on the PRO plate. I would have loved pictures of this. Please send me a message so we can figure this out.

 

That does sound strange. I have not heard of anyone’s plate not lining up with the holes. I would suggest loosening up the bolts and giving a good shake and try to re-align.

 

Yesterday, when the truck was on the rack, the tech called me back and I looked at it myself. When he installed it, the Pro skid plate bolts were removed so he could rest the plate and then put in the passenger side cat plate bolt and finger tightened them. I pushed and tugged...he did too. He even tried the lady foot pry bar and the hole was literally a half-moon (approximately 3/16-1/4 off to the outside) difference. So, I'll remove some material from the plate inboard of the truck and it will be fine.

I figured the smaller bolts (3/8") allowed a bit of slop to get the bolts in there to tighten up...the 1/2" ones do not afford the same opportunity. Fortunately, the bolt head protectors will cover up the elongated hole.

 

I looked up your order, you have plates with my previous plasma cutter. They were indeed designed for 3/8 bolts. The new plates had the holes adjusted for 1/2” bolts not just in size, but in alignment. This makes a lot more sense now, it is a half moon towards the left and right sides of the truck and not forwards and back.

Thank you for letting me know about this, I was worried about that there for a second.

 

I have the ready lift 8” and am a former prototype machinist model maker… more than happy to help.

 

Any idea on this order?

Order: R513592440

 

Yours is in the aluminum order that is getting started

 

I am plowing through powder coated 1/8 steel and bare aluminum orders, I am getting close to the end of July. The next steel order is getting done this week and I am going to pull from savings to get the next aluminum order going.

This steel order will catch me up pretty close to now. The aluminum order will cover August, and some of September. I know this still leaves me behind on aluminum, but I gotta try and stimulate money coming in before I can invest more in aluminum.

 

With this being said, if anyone wants to change their aluminum order to steel to avoid the wait, I will make that happen for you

 

You don't take payment up front? Or is it b/c of the change in aluminum prices?

 

Aluminum prices going up, a lot

 

What would be the wait time if we switch to steel?
Order: R513592440

 

Assuming you go 3/16 steel powder coated black, I could have this ready by next week possibly, but I would have to know soon as metal will start getting cut tomorrow

 

Are these in the steel orders being done this week?
Order: R627019963 | Date: 2021-07-20 - cat skid plates, 1/8" bare steel
Order: R463271719 | Date: 2021-07-30 - front plate, 1/8" bare steel

 

Just got shipment notification! Thank you Tyler!!

 

They are getting cut this week. This will ship next week

 

So did I. Thanks Tyler!!

 

Dreams can come true!

 

Ordered on 6/23/21 - 3/16 bare aluminum.
Recieved 10/1/21



Well worth the wait!