What have you done to your 5th Gen 4Runner today?

Goes to show people will bitch about anything

 

No, I think bare metal is an absence of finish, which is what you received. That's why it's a cheaper option, so that the buyer can choose their own surface prep and finish.

Typically, part of the cost associated with powdercoating is that they usually do the sandblasting and surface prep in house. That way the metal is as fresh and oxidation free as possible before coating.

I agree that Victory can clarify what bare metal means on their website to prevent future confusion, but I don't think this is a quality control issue.

 

There are many companies out there selling aluminum skids. None of them look as horrible as this when they are delivered to the customer. They should have a uniform finish, clean welds, and ready to bolt on as is should the end user choose not to coat them with anything other than a little wax or clear to stop oxidization. Most of us care about how our vehicles look, a hand full of us don't. The "finished" product victory provided is 100% unacceptable as far as I'm concerned. My RCI skids looked great upon delivery, not a single scratch or mark on them. Truth is, if you have to grind a weld smooth, you don't know how to weld to begin with. Especially when it comes to aluminum.

 

With that mindset, every skid, Rock slider, and aftermarket bumper should be accepted despite the look or finish on them.

The first think most people comment on after receiving any type of armor is the finish. Fit and finish are the number one things reviewed on any type of product. People don't expect a beat up "brand new" item just because it's made to be abused. Most people will never really abuse these items.

I only bought front engine skids for easier access to service my 4runner and I'm not alone. Most people with sliders never go off-road at all and only got them as a status symbol, or for looks... Nothing wrong with that... But people shouldn't be scolded or looked down upon for expecting a new item to have a good quality finish, even if it's a raw finish.. raw doesn't mean beat up.



All that said... Again I will say my victory 4x4 skid came looking great, but was powder coated. Though I do think they should explain in their site the shape bare aluminum will arrive in, that shouldn't be something people only find out after receiving their item. They definitely should upload pics so people can see what they're buying.

I also think they should explain when using their skid the radiator skid is no longer useable, and they don't offer an aftermarket replacement.

 

Lots of people blend down welds, especially MIG welds with lots of spatter. The flapwheel marks I see seem to reflect that. What's the point in grinding down material that isn't to clean a weld joint?

This isn't beat up, it's mill-finish sheetmetal that's been hit with a flapwheel (which is the difference in color/appearance). It lacks finish because it's literally a part ready to be finished. Lots of people order parts this way because they want to apply their own paint for easy trail repairs, or they have several other parts that they want the powdercoat to match with. It doesn't mean "we're going to grind the entire part into one color of bare aluminum" because labor costs money and there's no value-add to doing that, especially if the customer will provide their own finish.

I'm not saying that Victory shouldn't have communicated better with their customers. From now on I'll bet that they are very descriptive with what the expectation should be. But I don't think that they need to change their process. It would be like ordering a bumper kit and then complaining that it's not welded together.

 

Clean your material before welding. Most people don't MIG aluminum either. Stick or TIG is the way to go, TIG being the best. If you have lots of spatter, your wire speed is off, temp is off, material was not properly prepped, or a combination of those things. If you fabricate something and have to clean up after the weld, clean the whole product. A little pride in your product goes a very long way. Doesn't matter what it is.

 

Compare.

 

Exactly my point. RCI clearly cares about presentation as they should. Some others seem not to care at all and there is no excuse for it at all. Assuming the end user is going to paint it is just plain stupid. Quite a few people run them as is, no paint, no nothing and they should be able to do that without spending hour after hour prepping their skids. Now, if Victory was half the price, that would be a different story. That's not the case though. Close to the same price point, half the finished quality. Not a good way to run a business.

 

We're arguing that Victory 4x4 is not RCI? They don't have any bare metal photos of their product, and maybe they should so that expectations are clear. I just don't see any indication that they sold a defective product.

 

I agree, my concern is the timeliness of their reply. It should have been a quicker response when a customer has a question or concern over a product

 

We are not arguing they are not RCI We're proving fact. They by far have an inferior product in terms of finish quality and they think that's OK When every other company on the market offers a similar product in the same price range with a significantly better finish, you won't last long. That on top of 3 days to reply to an email............ They just don't get it yet.

 

Victory just seems to assume folks will be painting the skid. I’m confident in making that assumption because nobody at Victory would expect someone to put an “unfinished” product like we’ve seen here on their truck.

So, isn’t this as simple as a communication problem? And once Victory is aware that some people expect to put a bare aluminum skid on their truck, they’ll probably update their product description.

 

Where did you get the yellow/orange/red grille emblem?

 

Wow! Yeah that's not good. They won't be seeing any of my money based solely on your experience. Which is a shame because they seem to have a nice range of products. But...Customer service is everything and there are plenty of other good companies out there.

 

They need to update their quality, not their description. When every other company on the market makes a bolt on a go product, why buy Victory when you get an inferior finished product?

 

That's precisely the point. Vote with your dollars. They don't seem to be bothered in the slightest, because this isn't a quality control escape that somehow shipped unfinished- this is their intended product. They didn't say they made RCI skids. They should put a picture up with a brief description of what bare metal means. After that, the customer can decide what to buy.

 

Tacovinyl, I think he runs an Etsy shop you can search for.

 

I agree, I wouldn't buy their products.

 

Victory stated "Our aluminum products are prepped the same whether we powder coat them in-house or ship them out bare." (Post # 8019) That means ready for powder coat upon receipt if ordered bare. Visually, and according to the powder coat shop consulted, that was not the case. If that skid was considered ready for powder coat by Victory, the bar is set pretty low.

 

Is there any reason the wheel position display option won’t show up? I did the whole 6112/5160 swap today with icon 2” springs and icon ucas as well

 

Installed the Clock Blocker!

Thing is solid and can't wait to get the Garmin and Mic mounts on there

 

What is this called? Have a link?

 

I know this is a random place to post this, but seems like a good collection of knowledgeable 5th gen-er:

If you leave the fog light switch in the on position- is there any way to make them come on with the DRL and/or the driving light setting, instead of just the headlight fully on position?

 

T4RPAM https://expeditionessentials.com/co...ner-5th-gen-powered-accessory-mount-pre-order

 

Yes, but it’s a lot more involved then the Taco anytime fog light mod. If you search it a few threads will come up

 

Installed OEM black Led fog lights and JDM Astar 1:1 LED low beam headlights...so far so good,way brighter than stock halogens.

 

Installed my canvasback liner.

 

Got me a roof rack in freaking awesome shape for less than half the price paid to a standup guy that sold be a piece of crap last week. It's an omen saying time to say goodbye to the pro rack. Coming home from UPS just now saw what I think was a Subaru that had us lol because looked like it had a mini pro rack on it!

 

Congratulations on your new rack! Your old one was enough for me. LMAO
Anyway, as you know. I have to call you out!

You know I am messing with you.
Now, get us some pics! Lol
What brand did you get?
Ryan.

 

Well, I want a Gobi but funds won't be around till next year for that. Didn't want to drive round with a pro rack for a year so stock it is.