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What’s the best cat shield brand?

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by dadtrucklife, Jul 6, 2024.

  1. Jul 6, 2024 at 9:27 PM
    #1
    dadtrucklife

    dadtrucklife [OP] New Member

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    Search didn’t return any results. What’s the consensus on the best brand for cat shield protection? Also, material- steel or aluminum?
     
  2. Jul 6, 2024 at 10:57 PM
    #2
    Yodagan

    Yodagan New Member

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    Chief Wraps and ATV25 like this.
  3. Jul 7, 2024 at 12:28 AM
    #3
    Tripleconpanna

    Tripleconpanna Just an X who bought Bud Light from Target

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  4. Jul 7, 2024 at 3:48 AM
    #4
    bflooks

    bflooks New Member

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    I'd do your research on specific vendors. Some were fantastic, some still are. The magnifying glass in the top right of this website will help with research of your vendor choices. Talons is also a vendor on this site while the "V" brand is no longer. The vendor list can be found at the bottom of the "Forums" page of this site.
     
    RobertD likes this.
  5. Jul 7, 2024 at 5:06 AM
    #5
    Jbehredt

    Jbehredt Burgeoning member

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    Talons. Great product. Great service. Great protection. I could drive to RCI for pickup but their coverage on the rear cats leave a little to be desired. I’m cheap and never WANTED to buy cat shields so steel was my answer.
     
    grant.ducckk, jeffw6236 and RobertD like this.
  6. Jul 7, 2024 at 6:26 AM
    #6
    RobertD

    RobertD SSEM#123, ASCM#4 "I call it Vera" ~Jayne Cobb

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    Robert
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    @dadtrucklife do not go with the above company. It will be nothing but a headache for you. His customer service has drastically changed. I say his cause I have his product and have seen the change in how he now treats people. Don't do it.


    Buy from @Talon2006
    https://www.tundras.com/threads/welcome-to-talons-garage.113331/

    Good dude, good product, amazing customer service. If I was in the market for a cat plate, he would get my business. Hell, I needed new brackets for mine after a shop bent mine. He worked with me to ensure his would fit.
     
  7. Jul 7, 2024 at 6:46 AM
    #7
    1lowlife

    1lowlife Toxic prick and pavement princess..

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    ^this..
    Shaun of Talons is also a forum vendor..
    @Talon2006
    upload_2024-7-7_8-46-14.png

    Talons Garage off road skid plates and catalytic converter shields
     
  8. Jul 7, 2024 at 8:23 AM
    #8
    dadtrucklife

    dadtrucklife [OP] New Member

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    Very helpful! Based on all your responses so far my list to research are Talon and RCI. Sounds like Valhallas is no longer available.

    Any experience with Miller Cat? I have it on my Tacoma but how are they on Tundras?
     
  9. Jul 7, 2024 at 10:54 AM
    #9
    Yodagan

    Yodagan New Member

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    @RobertD I understand what you were saying. I do remember reading all the posts about problems.
    I have a set of the cat shields from him. I never had any problems.
    It is good the guy from Talons was able to work with you on fixing your problem.
    I do agree Talons is good product. I do remember at some point there was something going on between Valhallas and Talons but not sure if it was ever resolved.
     
  10. Jul 7, 2024 at 11:06 AM
    #10
    Johnsonman

    Johnsonman New Member

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    LED headlamps/fogs; interior footlamps.
    I went to my local muffler shop and had them weld lots of rebar and other assorted hardened scraps they had all around the cats - sure they can be cut yet that is a lot of trouble and noise they'll need to make - I'm guessing they'll move onto an Easier target. He says besides trucks & SUVS he's see of course many Prius' and lots of sedans - so I did all my vehicles - $60 each.
     
  11. Jul 7, 2024 at 1:06 PM
    #11
    nobodyintexas

    nobodyintexas What?

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    Whatever this forum told me to do
    The best cat shields are the ones you put on your truck

    I have Valhalla. Before he shit the bed

    the 4Runner has miller cats shields

    At the end of the day, they are all the same
     
    panicman, 1lowlife, yakeng and 2 others like this.
  12. Jul 7, 2024 at 1:46 PM
    #12
    TacomaTRD4x402

    TacomaTRD4x402 New Member

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    I'd like to see a picture of what that looks like :eek:
     
    1lowlife and Tripleconpanna like this.
  13. Jul 11, 2024 at 7:56 AM
    #13
    Scruffy_Nerf

    Scruffy_Nerf New Member

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    I have a Valhalla cat shield and it's fine. I don't think it's worth it. There are some other issues that can't be justified based on the wait time and expense. An access hole for a frame bolts appears to be in the wrong place. Two of the four pentagon security bolts were improperly sized. The powder coating was poorly done and already chipped away by the time it arrived.

    I originally bought a Talons shield but he hadn't worked out all the fitment issues so I returned it. The customer service was excellent and the product seemed high quality. I'd go with Talons, RCI, or a local muffler/welding shop.
     
  14. Jul 11, 2024 at 9:56 AM
    #14
    dadtrucklife

    dadtrucklife [OP] New Member

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    With everyone’s help likely going with Talon. Thank you!
     
  15. Jul 12, 2024 at 2:32 AM
    #15
    Bergy24

    Bergy24 New Member

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    You wont be disappointed in your decision. Great product and customer service. Don't forget to get the TRD nut plate if you have the TRD front Skid Plate.
    If you dont have the TRD skid plate, you should consider buying Talons complete set.
     
  16. Jul 12, 2024 at 6:04 AM
    #16
    frichco228

    frichco228 Valued Member

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    I installed Millercat with the wings. Great coverage and easy install. It is excellent, cost was good and their customer service is top notch.
     
  17. Jul 12, 2024 at 6:58 AM
    #17
    Henry1jg

    Henry1jg 2021 TRD Sport

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    I have a Taco Tunes shield and love it
     
    dadtrucklife[OP] likes this.
  18. Jul 12, 2024 at 10:42 AM
    #18
    yakeng

    yakeng 3URFE Apologist

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    I have a Miller Cat shield on our Sequoia, it's great, but it does use special security bolts & definitely locktite the wing bolts. Last time I removed it, I saw two were missing.
     
    dadtrucklife[OP] likes this.
  19. Jul 13, 2024 at 9:50 AM
    #19
    Ct. Rich

    Ct. Rich New Member

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    Good choice! You’ll be happy with them.
     
  20. Jul 13, 2024 at 10:44 AM
    #20
    1lowlife

    1lowlife Toxic prick and pavement princess..

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    All shields have the same basic design, they cover your cats.
    Vahalla and Talon are very similar in design, there were some issues between them years ago.
    The difference is, that Vahalla is a 1 man operation that couldn't keep up with demand.
    Talon does this for a living and usually has items in stock.

    I have Vahalla shields, took a while and several emails to get them.
    After my cats were stolen the dealer wanted to put a Millercat shield on my truck.
    I saw and passed, it didn't cover the rears at all.

    pkw9bgwt_84a8cd3c18db30fcf3246ebcd75ecb0cbd8fb86c.jpg

    I then ordered the Vahalla shields.
    I got them delivered in time to put on my truck before I got it back, but the dealership had my truck for 8 months waiting for the parts to come in.
    So it took around 6 months to get everything from Vahalla.
    I think you'll be happy with Talon.

    These are my Valhallas with my TRD skid plate.
    I think your Talons will be similar...

    Before.
    ay423lhf_be56e00eb982471a790005d88e0a98b4bc18f3ad.jpgw6yvwez5_27900060659735c8eda2cb9f8ffe12d330aa2a79.jpg

    After.
    I got Vahallas rear wall plate since I have a 2 wheel drive.
    xhe7q9n8_9fd47ff0283fb4adcd9cffa595f50446c21490ae.jpg

    ypsri69i_8e1c7574c410f5a284c5203947cbaf98e9e5e18e.jpg

    99scvk5u_c1611c9e981562465928d2f220ae51ecf04f2049.jpg
     
  21. Jul 13, 2024 at 11:53 AM
    #21
    16TRD

    16TRD New Member

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  22. Jul 17, 2024 at 8:07 AM
    #22
    Talon2006

    Talon2006 New Member Vendor

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    Thanks!!

    I like the way you think ;)



    I am going to break my vow of silence for a few words about this "relationship". Tyler and I have several mutual friends who linked us up together. We both started as one man shops. I was working as a nurse anesthetist full time when I designed and manufactured the plates from my three car garage. I stayed in this three car garage for the first year of my business. As my demand grew I made the decision to reinvest heavily back into the company to buy the space and equipment needed to grow this into a much larger operation. I knew the cat theft market was going to eventually decrease, but I had my sights set on bigger things, mostly the off road accessory market.

    I know there were several claims made about me by Tyler and Valhalla's. Instead of exhausting myself trying to defend myself online I kept my nose to the grindstone, and let my results speak for me. This was not an easy approach but I am very thankful to have several very smart friends who reminded me to sit down and shut up and let this play out.
     
  23. Jul 17, 2024 at 8:29 AM
    #23
    RobertD

    RobertD SSEM#123, ASCM#4 "I call it Vera" ~Jayne Cobb

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    @Talon2006 you definitely seemed to have played it smart. The forum is lucky to have your presence and Tundra owners in general should be happy to have another vendor working to create products for our trucks.
     
  24. Jul 17, 2024 at 8:49 AM
    #24
    AircoolerKirk

    AircoolerKirk Old School VW Nut

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    This is exactly what I came to say. I got the one I though would ventilate the best.
     
    nobodyintexas[QUOTED] likes this.
  25. Jul 17, 2024 at 10:36 AM
    #25
    dadtrucklife

    dadtrucklife [OP] New Member

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    @Talon2006 way to stick with it! Can you share a promo code in support of all your loyal Tundra forum fans? ;) I am planning to make my purchase in a day or two and will continue to spread the word.
     
    1lowlife likes this.
  26. Jul 17, 2024 at 6:03 PM
    #26
    RobertD

    RobertD SSEM#123, ASCM#4 "I call it Vera" ~Jayne Cobb

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    He doesn't do sales or promos cause he keeps his prices low all the time. This has been addressed multiple times.
     
  27. Jul 17, 2024 at 8:01 PM
    #27
    AdamK

    AdamK New Member

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    I got the full set of Valhallas back in 2019/20 - the wait was long but he delivered with a quality product - I wish things had gone better for him.

    Looking at the Talon product, I wouldn’t hesitate if I was looking to purchase today - I see a few features that I wish my Valhallas had. I would encourage getting the full set. If Talon decided to do a tank shield and rear diff shield for my gen 2 I’d definitely be in for a set.
     
  28. Jul 17, 2024 at 8:37 PM
    #28
    Talon2006

    Talon2006 New Member Vendor

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    I am still looking for a 2nd gen with the tank straps that have the mounts.
     
  29. Jul 18, 2024 at 11:31 AM
    #29
    Talon2006

    Talon2006 New Member Vendor

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    What was said above. Our regular price is typically better than their sale price.

    I don’t get the whole: falsely inflate your regular price and have perpetual sales. I know there is some psychology behind it but do people really fall for it? :p
     

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