RCI: great skid, lousy hardware

I installed an RCI skid plate 4,000 miles ago at the beginning of the summer (granted I’m in the swamps of Charleston SC). You’d think the hardware would be stainless. Anyway, only a $3 fix at Ace Hardware. Should I get stainless or brass or...?

 

Granted that it’s an easy fix, I would call them to replace it some they have the stainless again

 

Id go for some stainless and call it good.

 

If I recall correctly RCI had a fastener supply issue at some point and will send you the proper quality fasteners. I'd call them.

 

Brass? I think you mean gold colored zinc plated?
Either will be fine. One will probably be a few more cents than the other.

 

Yup @Pinay had missing hardware. Im sure they will send it, but you know how that goes. You’re under there with your old skids removed and ready to install, only to find out it’s missing stuff. By that point you want it on LOL. Quick trip to the hardware store fixes that. It requires some type of washer above the crossmember to hold the back of the skid plate up. Large fender washers will do the trick but they do bend a little as you tighten them. I bought Monets skid plate and left her hardware for the trans skid. I had to source some stainless carriage bolts and decided to use some flat stock for washers instead of what was available at the hardware store. Big fat thick washers are surprisingly hard to come by LOL.
Here’s what I used in the red.

 

I wouldn’t use brass. Phillips head, flat head or Alan will definitely strip easily. In plumbing we have to use brass coarse thread screws to hold down the closet flange for code. They tend to be a one time use LOL. I found that I have to pre-drill just so I can get them to go in all the way. And sometimes they snap anyways. I would use stainless if I can find it in the right size. Although zinc is fine, it would take a long time to rust out. Funny thing, at Home Depot it lists zinc fasteners for “indoor use”.

 

That’s exactly what happened. Missing some washers, got to point of install and quick trip to Ace. Just ruins the flow, just wanted it on and done.

 

It's always good to check shipping box contents for any missing parts. Things happen which sucks, at least you can call right away and get any missing items sent out instead of being caught in the middle of an install with parts missing.The fastener issue with RCI was not that they didn't have the fasteners to ship, the problem was having to ship out fasteners not up to their quality specs. Was a temporary thing and have sent out replacement fasteners to who needed them.

 

What's funny is I had extra mounting washers shipped with my skid....heh...heh

 

You probably got Monet's hahahahaha

 

That is something I’ve learned through the years, check the package contents to the hardware list.

 

I have learned that every purchace from RCI means a trip to the hardware store and foot the bill yourself.

 

That’s a bit sad. They make a great product so it’s obviously not the fabricator or the initial design that’s the problem. But who ever decided to cheap out on the hardware, dropped the ball. What’s the point of having a great product if it’s not mounted properly. Yeah the hardware gets it done but it should reflect on their product. Almost like it’s a second party that sends out the hardware.

 

The washers on the back are welded—not a concern. I’m not messing with shipping back and forth. Stainless from Ace it is.

 

same here...

 

couldn't find stainless steel at HD so I got galvanized. let see how long it lasts.

 

What I heard is RCI gets the hardware bagged up already and a while back they had bolts or washers missing. Hopefully it’s been corrected.

 

Home depot sucks. I go to Fastenal or order from McMaster Carr.

 

agree—Home Depot and Lowe’s have a large selection of random crap, but I’ve slowly learned that the local hardware store—and especially Ace Hardware—has everything I need, are infinitely more helpful/customer friendly and are much easier to get to/through/out of and back on my way. Well worth the 5% price increase if you ask me!

 

I'm with you here. ACE is customer friendly. Home Depot, most of them run away from you

 

This is exactly what I got. Bags of hardware were still sealed but incomplete. I had sufficient stainless steel bolts on my shelf to replace it all and make it match.

 

Anybody replace the screws with SS and have a part number and/or thread specs on the replacement?

 

this is what you need for the oil filter door

 

Thanks!

 

plus a washer...

 

For anyone using the diff drop spacers who actually bash their skids on rocks, I’d suggest replacing those spacers with wider ones. They’re too small and just press into the truck. That should be flat and not concaved in. It ruined the threads and I couldn’t even get the skid off.

 

Holy crap. Is that a crossmember?

 

UPDATE:
On a whim I called RCI and explained the concern. No dithering—they fully-owned a bad batch of hardware and offered to send out a new batch today which I accepted. Couldn’t really ask for anything more so I’ll still like their products. I’d imagine most businesses would like the opportunity to make things right (which they did).