Cali raised SS cat shields

For $100 more you can get a tranny skid plate from RCI with cat guards. Best of both worlds and that's what I told my wife.

 

Where did you buy the transmission skid and cat guards for $300? Their website shows $425 for the set.

 

It was from their site. He's my order but it shows less than what I actually paid which was around $340-$350 shipped. I guess they were on sale?

 

Yeah looks like it was a promotion. That was a good deal!

 

Hey man, here's some photos of my skid setup, may help for your reference (haven't bought cat shields yet). Cheers

[ARB 5421110 skid kit
4 panels: Front Panel (Protects power steering, engine sump, sway bar), Diff Panel (Protects front diff mounts, engine sump), Transmission (Protects transmission and transmission controls) and Transfer Case (Protects transfer case)
3mm zinc-plated powder-coated, Laser cut steel. Pressed & folded sheet steel adds more strength than standard folded sheet. Silver textured finish]

 

Anyone have shipping info yet? I spoke with them on Friday, and they said my order would be shipped "early next week"...which is this week. I ordered on April 7th. (yes I know there is a 3-4 week lead time disclaimed on the product page).

 

Nope, nothing yet. I was hoping we were getting close!

 

So I guess the question arises - when does a company put an offering on their website? Once they have inventory to create orders and ship it, or do they just throw it out on their site hoping to get orders generated, then actually have inventory made, and ship it when done...?

These seemed like a very interesting alternative, but so far there's no evidence they really exist.

 

Interesting question. I know they have been making Tacoma ones for awhile now. I've seen a few posts/ads for them on FaceBook with tons of comments. Some saying they had to wait nearly 8 weeks. Really hoping that isn't the case.

 

I ordered mine on 4/2/23 and I just received a shipping update today. Should arrive on Friday.

 

I wouldn't do business with cali. I know they don't honor warranties.

 

What other inexpensive options are there?

 

I ordered mine on 4/1 and just got the same email. Should be here tomorrow. If so, I will do a short install thread. Looking forward to it.

 

That's a hell of an accusation. Post up your proof or GTFO.

 

Alright. Since you insist. Hi Jake, remember me? The guy with the cali raised lights that were professionally installed by SWAT Customs and later filled with rain water, and after you realized I already bought 2 replacement lights, (cuz that's how many had failed at that time) you refused to warranty any of them after 1 rainy season leaked water into them. Even though the website says quote-
We’re so confident in our products here at Cali Raised LED that we tack on a 2-year warranty to help protect your investment no matter how rigorous a lifestyle you live.

Sorry to be a dick Jake but I'm still bitter.

Before- https://youtu.be/dOsc5V3-XI4

After 1 winter- https://youtu.be/8uFNNyYXyOc

 

Just got my shipping info an hour ago.

Ordered April 7th, scheduled to arrive this Saturday, May 6.

 

Man, I’m sorry to hear that.

My experience is the exact opposite. My ditch lights were working fine, but one of them developed a rattle (the reflector came loose). I prepared myself for a battle with Cali-Raised, and called them up. They asked for a video of the ratting. My video sucked, so I asked if I could drive up there (45 mins away). The nice gentleman came outside and when I smacked it, it rattled. He asked if I minded removing it to confirm it’s the light. I came prepared and unbolted one of the lights, and he shook it, handed it back, and walked inside to get me a brand new pair, on the spot, free of charge.

I actually wasn’t a huge fan of Cali-Raised prior to this (something about poor naming in Texas, lol), but they have won me over.

 

Mine is scheduled for today, but as usual, the FedEx site is all kind of weird. Will post pics when it arrives.

 

And here we go. Really good quality with no sharp edges or fractures in the bends. I'll take a few pics this weekend when I have time to install them.

 

would like your opinion if they would have to be removed for any routine maintenance, like access to grease prop shaft, change transmission or transfer case fluid, etc.

 

X2.

 

I'll certainly take pics. But from the ones I see on Cali's site, these are tucked up and form fitting so they don't come anywhere near that stuff.

I will say that just messing with them on the bench, the finish work is what impresses me. Frankly these are one hell of a bargain for under $200.

 

Awesome! Are you planning on getting 4 more security bolts? Or are you going to put one on each end of the support brackets rather than two on the same end?

 

I'd like the Cali rep to chime in here as to what they use to cut these. I've seen a lot of water-jetted aluminum and this doesn't appear to be that - it's way too clean and precise. No burrs, no slag, I'm guessing laser cut?

In any case I'll start a new thread for the install this weekend. I slid up under the truck with one in hand and it seems like it's going to be ridiculously easy. Probably one of those "30 minutes the first time and 10 minutes the second time" things.

 

Would someone take a look at the install link below and tell me why these shields require a 4WD truck? I don't understand why. I swear when I placed my order, Cali's site said nothing of 4WD. Now it does, and I'm 2WD. Am I going to have to return them? Have not been able to reach anyone at Cali yet.

Cali Raised LED Catalytic Converter Shields 5th Gen 4Runner (trail4runner.com)

EDIT: Ok, I just pulled down the crossbraces and hand-fit the shields in place. They seem to fit just fine - I can't see why they would not fit a 2WD. Maybe it's just laziness that Cali didn't bother to check fitment. Any way I'll get them on this weekend and report back.

2nd Edit: Cali confirmed they don't know if these will fit a 2WD and asked me to fit them up. The problem is that they didn't include the required transmission bolt spacers so I can't. So anyone attempting to install these, make sure you have all the hardware before starting.

 

OK, I used a straight edge and a depth micrometer and figured out what size spacers I needed, ran to Ace and got them.

Boy was I wrong on the 30 minute install. The main problem is that when you are getting them into place to start running bolts in, you are juggling the front of the shield, the back of the shield (which is real hard to keep in alignment with the crossmember bolts due to the "slip in" design), and those damn crossmember support brackets. Anything slightly out of alignment will cause things not to line up. My very strong recommendation is to have a helper because one more hand to hold things while I started the bolts would have been a huge help.

I did not use the security bolts for the simple fact that they are waay too short. By at least 10mm. Luckily I have a huge assortment of SS metric bolts from all my jetski projects. Here's the best I could do on pics:









And if anyone needs the crossmember bolt spacers because they're not in your kit, go to ACE and get 1/2" thick spacers like these that will allow a 10MM bolt to go through:

 

Thanks for the update. That is a bummer about them not including the spacers, as well as the security bolts not being long enough. Wonder if they all are like that?

 

X2. Their installation video clearly shows the spacers as part of the kit. I suppose they are the ones that go here:

 

Yup, also concerning that the security bolts provided aren't long enough. I guess I'll find out tomorrow or Sunday. I'll report back here my experience as well.

 

I guess we'll find out soon. I would get four 40mm SS bolts to make life easier to replace the security bolts. I'm going to replace my hex heads with button head Allen bolts when I have time.