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Cat Theft Deterrent - Skid/Shield Options

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by PJSnow, May 6, 2022.

  1. Jun 2, 2022 at 6:21 PM
    #31
    rageandlove

    rageandlove New Member

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    1) It's a skid plate, people. First, it's under your vehicle, so you wont see it. Second, if you use it as a skid plate, it will look a lot worse in short order. My RCI skids are scratched to crap. The extra hole is funky, but it is not uncommon for skid plates have some mounting locations that are more slot-like than single hole because tolerances are exactly that.

    2) It's odd to complain about the cost of RCI and then compare a cheaper product to the RCI. My Honda Element doesn't 4x4 as well as my 4Runner either.

    3) I understand the vendor's predicament after reading these forums for 10 years and seeing how other vendors were treated when they do show up. Don't show up and get the "they don't care" chatter, show up and get the "you aren't doing enough response." If you bought it and they take it back if you aren't satisfied upon receipt, that's a good practice. But there isn't a vendor out there that will sell you skids/sliders/whatever, let you mount them, then provide a full refund.
     
    Last edited: Jun 2, 2022
    Lockdown, 4runGirl88 and wsu_runner like this.
  2. Jun 2, 2022 at 7:41 PM
    #32
    aRabidLunatic

    aRabidLunatic New Member

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    Just got mine from Talon today, installing tomorrow.
     
  3. Jun 3, 2022 at 6:56 AM
    #33
    PJSnow

    PJSnow [OP] New Member

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    Unfortunately, this thread is going completely off the rails. My intentions were to share the different cat protector options and document my findings on the one particular product I decided to purchase. There is limited information on the internet for the Talons Garage protector and for cat protectors in general. Turning people away from a small company is not the goal but hopefully Talons Garage will take the information and better the product.
    I am no "keyboard warrior" but I was hoping to share my findings with the community to help 4Runner owners make informed decisions. For some, these may not be issues and for others it might be a deal breaker. Take the information as you feel fit.
     
  4. Jun 3, 2022 at 9:38 AM
    #34
    Tama1968

    Tama1968 New Member

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    not too worried about my cat but how's about a gas tank shield to discourage potential gun shot victims from drilling into my tank?
     
    2Toys likes this.
  5. Jun 3, 2022 at 9:57 AM
    #35
    2020 4Runner

    2020 4Runner New Member

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    RCI and Victory 4x4 make tanks skids.
     
    Tama1968[QUOTED] likes this.
  6. Jul 13, 2022 at 2:47 PM
    #36
    beedee

    beedee Member

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    Thinking of getting the RSG one, anyone here care to update their experience with it?
     
  7. Jul 13, 2022 at 8:06 PM
    #37
    Eagle059

    Eagle059 New Member

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    Another option.
     
  8. Jul 29, 2022 at 10:13 AM
    #38
    SVMTRCSR

    SVMTRCSR New Member

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    Don't blame me, I voted for Trump.
    I purchased and just got done installing the RSG cat guard. Ordered 13 June and got it yesterday so exactly what they said on the site that it will take 6 to 8 weeks for powder coated. It weights 25 lbs. and is pretty robust. I tried to get my sawzall in the front gaps and it will barely fit in but you can't cut as can't move or rotate the sawzall, I'm not worried about it. So, for $375 shipped to my door (Colorado to Tennessee) I'm happy with it, and it was packaged up good for shipping through UPS. Some pics below not of installed as they have those on there site.

    I was going to make my own out of heavy duty expanded metal (like whats on trailer ramps) but don't have the right tools to bend it up where I need it. I cut out a piece for my grill using a angle grinder and it took awhile to cut through this stuff. In my opinion this stuff would work as a guard and would let airflow better around the hot cats.

    https://rsgmetalworks.com/collections/5th-gen-4runner/products/cat-skid

    RSG Box.jpg RSG 1.jpg RSG 2.jpg
     
    PJSnow[OP] and Eagle059 like this.
  9. Aug 19, 2022 at 6:32 PM
    #39
    ChessGuy

    ChessGuy New Member

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    Too many..... Performance: • Magnusum Supercharger • Gibson exhaust with dual black tip • Pedal Commander * PowerBrakes • Suspension – Old Man Emu BP-51 front and back with Medium load coils • Tires: AT3 Faulken Wildpeak – 285/70/17 • Wheels: Relations Race Wheels, RR7-H with -12 offset • Full roof rack and ladder by Westcott Design (removed the stock Yakima basket) • Molle storage panels by Rago fabrication • Front light brackets by Rago • Illuminator light bracket by Rago (roof rack location) Lights • Morimoto front and back with sequential signals • Morimoto fog lights and side mirrors with sequential signals • 40” Baja design light bar for roof rack • 20” S8 Baja design driving combo (winch location) • Squadron sport baja design ditch lights • S2 Chase lights by baja designs (mounted on roof) In the bay: • Odyssey 34-PC Battery • SDQH Aluminum billet battery terminals and bracket • Switch Pro 9100 with aluminum tray • Anytime front and back camera • ARB twin compressor Recovery & Protection: • Smittybilt X20 synthetic rope winch • Factor 55 fairlead and flatlink • Southern Style Off-road (SSO) low profile bumper • SSO stage 2 high clearance wings • Weekend warrior recovery kit by treaty oak • RCI – skid plates – entire vehicle + catalytic converter protection wings Interior: • Nano Ceramic IR – Avery Dennison Window tint – all windows • Several phone mounts • Upgraded Rear Hatch lift gate struts (ladder is heavy) • Boom blaster horn switch (featuring La cucaracha)
    I went with the cat shields that come for the RCI skid plates. It is not providing full coverage but seems adequate for this setup.

    20220819_183103.jpg
    20220819_183058.jpg
     
    aRabidLunatic likes this.
  10. Aug 20, 2022 at 5:34 PM
    #40
    phxrunnr

    phxrunnr New Member

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    Excuse all of the dirt. I just installed C4s full skids on mine and they do a pretty good job of covering up the cats on both sides of the truck. It's another potential option if you are looking to install full skid plates anyways.

    7F688AD8-F9B6-456E-8DD4-71F6578524BC.jpg 30D44D10-0D50-4BA1-B4ED-C6049F8BD6BC.jpg
     
  11. Aug 20, 2022 at 5:55 PM
    #41
    2020 4Runner

    2020 4Runner New Member

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    Same for the CBI's as well. I'll take some pics soon.
     
  12. Aug 22, 2022 at 7:24 AM
    #42
    PJSnow

    PJSnow [OP] New Member

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    Update: I did end up removing the Talons Garage plate and replaced it with an RCI trans skit and "wings". The overall fit and finish of the RCI product was more in line with what I was after. The powder coated finish and zinc hardware are more refined in comparison. I also noticed the uncoated Talons plate started to show signs of galvanic corrosion where it was in contact with the steel frame. Although aluminum does not "rust" like steel, it will corrode when in contact with a dissimilar metal (if not coated). I'm confident the powder coated finish will inhibit that corrosion.

    The aftermarket skid plate options from RSG and C4 also seem like good alternatives (per the photos above) but I was looking for aluminum specifically. Feel free to keep updating this thread with photos of cat coverage. I hope this thread will help others decide on which option is best.
     
    SlvrSlug likes this.
  13. Sep 21, 2022 at 10:41 AM
    #43
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    I did a bit more research on the Cat Security site, and it seems there are quite a few reviews with photos from 4Runner owners, i.e.:
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Some showed a painted/powder coat finish, they must have had this done this themselves prior to installation:
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    One thing I like about this one is it seems like you could remove it without having to remove the engine skid (at least in my case, the RCI engine skid), as the forward most bolt shown above on the left side of the photo may or may not be necessary. If that bolt is not used, the other bolts I think could be removed to drop the skid for maintenance purposes. Another thing is this one tucks up higher than the Talons Garage version, and seems to have more gap coverage. I didn't read all the reviews, but didn't see any negative input except for the cost.

    Another detail I found is the price on this went from your $339 listed in your post above to a current price of $389.00.
     
    Last edited: Sep 21, 2022
  14. Sep 21, 2022 at 12:31 PM
    #44
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    Another post (mostly for my sake :confused:) showing my rig and the rear mounting of the RCI engine skid for reference:

    IMG_0372.jpg IMG_0373.jpg
     
  15. Sep 21, 2022 at 8:59 PM
    #45
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    Another point about the Cat Security skid shown in the photos above - it would seem that drilling into the cross member would be necessary for installation, as there are no existing holes in the cross member where the rear of the engine skid mounts, that match those three bolt locations on the front of the Cat Security skid. Probably means drilling holes and using rivet nuts...that alone disqualifies this one for me.
     
    Last edited: Sep 23, 2022
  16. Sep 26, 2022 at 6:00 AM
    #46
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    After reviewing all the options, I decided if I went with anything, it would be the MillerCat SS shield. Easier to remove if necessary, not much weight added, and it tucks up higher than any of the transmission/cat shield combo versions, and is less $$ than those. Stainless instead of aluminum to avoid any reaction issues with steel mounting hardware and aluminum.

    I’m just trying to convince myself I need one of these…
     
    SlvrSlug likes this.
  17. Sep 26, 2022 at 6:37 AM
    #47
    Burnt Taco

    Burnt Taco "Like that's just your opinion, man".

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    Of course you do
    I want, I want, I need, I need.
    Along with a bunch of other stuff.
    :)
     
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2022
  18. Sep 26, 2022 at 10:17 AM
    #48
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    Didn't you read my status title??!!
     
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  19. Sep 30, 2022 at 5:00 AM
    #49
    Burnt Taco

    Burnt Taco "Like that's just your opinion, man".

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  20. Sep 30, 2022 at 6:16 AM
    #50
    EC15

    EC15 ...

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    Cat security can be installed without drilling.. Just don't use the 3 torx screws that require drilling.
     
  21. Sep 30, 2022 at 6:16 AM
    #51
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    Now you've done it...the MillerCat ss shield just showed up yesterday...:spending:
     
  22. Sep 30, 2022 at 6:19 AM
    #52
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    I suppose so. However, I went with MillerCat, thanks.
     
  23. Sep 30, 2022 at 7:14 AM
    #53
    Burnt Taco

    Burnt Taco "Like that's just your opinion, man".

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    Well, now you can blame me and not feel any guilt.
    ☠️
     
  24. Sep 30, 2022 at 8:51 AM
    #54
    HighSierraGuy

    HighSierraGuy New Member

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    Can you update us on the shield? I’m considering this one as well but will probably go aluminum and throw a nylon washer between the shield and frame screws. I did this on my tundra and it helped with squeezing when the frame flexed.
     
  25. Sep 30, 2022 at 8:57 AM
    #55
    hossler1788

    hossler1788 Turtle

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  26. Sep 30, 2022 at 11:16 AM
    #56
    Slopemaster

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  27. Sep 30, 2022 at 10:28 PM
    #57
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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  28. Sep 30, 2022 at 10:33 PM
    #58
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    I plan on installing it this weekend. Stay tuned for updates. The aluminum version also looked like a solid option - with the discount code they run about $285.
     
    Last edited: Sep 30, 2022
  29. Oct 2, 2022 at 10:29 PM
    #59
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    MillerCat shield installed today. Very simple install (if you don't mind crawling around underneath your 4R), made simpler by having an RCI front skid plate. The back of the RCI skid ends on the cross member, leaving room to slide the bottom plate above it, and thread the long MillerCat bolts up through the cross member without having to remove the skid. I got both of the long bolts to thread on the first try.

    I chose to mount the main shield plate first, with all the bolts snugged but not tight, then added the two side wings last with the bottom on. The instructions say to mount the wings prior to installation; it works either way. I lined everything up, made sure nothing was rubbing anywhere, then tightened all the bolts up pretty snug.

    I also did this with the front wheels on ramps to give me extra room under there.
     
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  30. Oct 6, 2022 at 4:27 PM
    #60
    Whiteout Runner

    Whiteout Runner New Member

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    Many thanks for the guidance here! I don’t want to spin this thread off topic but what is the collective experience here with catback install costs?
     

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