Skid plate choices

Victory, trd, rci? Really just wanting to upgrade to make oil changes easier. Anyone have a preference?

 

Victory for gas skid.
Bud Built for transfer skid.

 

Valhalla makes front engine skids too.

 

RCI make good engine and transmission skids. They need to redesign the rear cat guards.

 

+1 RCI.

 

Since they all missed the oil change portion that you mentioned, I have the RCI. Valhalla make them along with his cat plates, but it will be a wait. The RCI is nice...I have the 1/4 aluminum. If you decide on cat plates as well, get the Valhalla front and rear.

 

• RCI engine skid
• Valhalla cat plates, front and rear. Forget the RCI cat guards for they leave the rear cats too exposed and easy to cut.
• Victory gas skid (not sure of it’ll work with cat plates )

 

Yes, the gas skid will work with the cat plates. I asked about it a few weeks ago. I'll see If I still have the picture that I found.

 

That’s good to know.

 

Thanks for info guys. Looks like ill go with the aluminum RCI

 

Easy to install?

 

Awkward more than anything. Suggest using a floor jack to help (what I did) or a second person to get it positioned right. Possible next purchase(s) -

Fumoto valve.

$37 Original Fumoto F103N with LC-10 lever clip FN-Series Engine Oil Drain Valve, 1 Pack

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D9DXCHP?ie=UTF8

Metal oil cap.

$22 Toyota Genuine Parts - Cap Assy, Oil Filter (15620-31060)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008BHP68A?ie=UTF8

Drain tool set.

$28 3mirrors Oil Filter Wrench, Drain Tool Set, Engine Funnel Compatible with Toyota Lexus Scion Camry Tundra Highlander Sienna 2.0-5.7L Engine with 64mm Cartridge Style Oil Filter System

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08SJ4R36K?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

Based on your build thread, it appears that the Valhalla cat shield and the rear cat shield and transfer case plate will work with the RCI engine skid. Has that been your experience? I was planning to just go full RCI, but the rear cats being exposed is concerning.

Thought is to go RCI for the engine, gas tank skids and Vanhalla for the transmission skid with cat protection and their rear cats and transfer case skid. RCI is local to me, so I can visit and pick up all the parts I order.

Any reason why I wouldn't want to take this approach? Anything I need to know based on your experience?

Thank you.

 

I’m sure @Tundra234 will also provide input, but the Valhalla cat plates are fully compatible with the RCI engine skid. This is my setup as well. It’s a bit of a pain to reach the top nits where the RCI skid and Valhalla front cat plate meet, but it is possible. I’d strongly suggest getting the Valhalla nut plate to make this much easier.

 

So on my truck, I have the RCI engine skid, the Desert Eagle front cat plate, and the Valhalla rear cat plate along with the vertical add-on for the rear plate. The vertical addon is for the 2wd trucks. There are a couple of guys that have the RCI transmission plate with the RCI bolt on cat guards, but they felt that the coverage wasn't as full compared to other products. For most theives, they will see the plates and move on since they want a quick in and out. Any added protection is better then nothing. The RCI trans plate with cat guards may be good enough for you. There are pics of it posted in the forum. Any plate combination will fit. Once you start installing them, you will see where you would need to drill holes if any are needed. Like on my truck, I drilled 2 additional holes in my DE plate so that my bolts for the engine skid pass through both plates. The more hardware the better. I used security bolts as well. As far as a gas tank skid, take a look at the Victory 4x4 skid.....it mounts to the frame and you don't need new straps. I think its a little cheaper than the RCI if I recall, but it only comes in steel for the 38 gallon tank. Any steel plate will always be cheaper than aluminum. Just a side note, the truck won't notice the weight of steel plates. it is not unsprung weight that has to get moving like heavy tires.

 

Appreciate that. I've looked at the pics, I'll have to consider that and the turn around time too.