Cali raised SS cat shields

Yes. The crossmember is indented right there so you need a spacer to push the shield forward a little bit. I know it's hard to see in that pic, but the shield sits only a few mm's away from the crossmember.

 

Do you by chance know the thread pitch? Thanks for all the info you have provided so far!

 

Also I don't like the fact there's no tech line for Cali - only internet chat. Here's my chat with whoever was on the other side:

Me: Are you sure these don't fit a 2WD?

Her: Yes.

Me: Why not?

Her: Because they're different.

Me: What exactly is different, because it looks like they'll fit up?

Her: The underside is different.

Me: Well, I just installed them and they fit just fine.

Her: That's great!

LOL. But They did ship out the spacers for me today, so I'll have an extra set if anyone needs them.

 

Yeah. You'll want to get 40mm long, 10mm diameter, 1.25 pitch. Keep in mind that these thread up into the frame, so you could theoretically get 50, 60 or 70mm bolts if you can't find 40's. In fact, if I were doing it over again, I'd buy 50's just to make life easier. Trust me, you'll understand when you do the install

 

Yeah, their Live Chat can be a series of hoops to get to a live person. I get its a small team, so they try to filter out the common questions with some automated menus. I also tried to find out the length and thread pitch of the security bolts so I could have 4 extra ones ready at the time of install, but no such luck. She offered to sell me 4 more, but I passed. I'll just head to my local Ace Hardware with one of them (after test fitting one to make sure they are long enough) when they arrive and get 4 more.

@jake long15 has anyone else had issues with the security bolts not being long enough?

 

Haha, thanks!

 

Just a little more clarity on the bolt issue that I didn't mention before. The OEM bolts (30mm) are just *barely* long enough to secure the stupid crossmember support arm from the factory, without the shield. So there are two problems: (1) you're adding the shield on top of that arm which all by itself comes close to having no threads grab; and (2) that stupid arm is under tension for some reason. Meaning, it does not fit flush against the frame and the crossmember when you just hold it up there. You have to draw it up with the bolts to secure it. Unfortunately the security bolts are also 30mm which doesn't make any sense. So that's why an extra 10 or 20mm on the bolt really helps.

Hope all this helps the next sucker who does the install. I'm tired because of course I picked the hottest day of the year (90 degrees) to do this project. Beer time.

I hope Jake reads this thread so they can make some adjustments to the kit.

One last thing - I'm sure there are always teething pains on new kits, so I'm not holding any of this against Cali (as long as they fix things). I'm very happy with it and the price was great.

 

Did you watch their install video at all? One thing I don't get - he removes all 4 bolts from the cross braces, yet puts one back in when installing. Why not leave one of those in loosely without removing it at first? Then you wouldn't have to line up that hole again while trying to juggle everything else.

 

No, I didn't. It seemed straight forward. Assuming you're talking about the trans crossmember, you should only remove one bolt on one side at a time, replace it with the new bolt/washer/spacer setup, then do the same to the next bolt on that side. I had a bottle jack ready in case I needed to tweak the alignment a little but did not need it.

If you're talking about those support arms that run from the crossmember to the frame, you'll understand when you do the install. Even leaving one bolt in there loosely will not allow you to swing that arm around and still be able to get the shield in there. You need a good bit of room. Gotta remove that darn thing.

 

I was referring to the bolts on the angled tubular cross pieces, not the crossmember bolts. It's apparent you need to do those one at a time.

 

Sorry, I edited my post to answer your question while you were typing.

 

I see, thanks. I have to say, though, even with all the issues you've had, I like these way more than the MillerCat version I went with.

 

Hilarious. Sounds like most of the chats I've done online. So what exactly was the reason they say the 2WD version is different?

 

"It's different underneath" is all I got from her at first. Then when I asked for specifics, she said they've never tried fitting them to a 2WD - which seems odd to not take the time to market the product to a whole other subset of 4Runners. I mean how hard can it be to get a 2WD on the lift and do an install? I wonder how many 2WD guys are not going to order because the website says you *must* have a 4WD. Maybe my chat with the rep will cause them to change the website.

 

Unless a 2WD has a completely different crossmember, which I doubt, I can't see why it would be different for either 2WD or 4WD. But I've been wrong before.

 

I guess it doesn't because it bolted up to my junk.

 

@glwood54 here are better pics of why we need the 1/2" spacer at the rear of the shield, against the forward part of the trans crossmember. In this shot, the inboard part of the shield, it looks like a big gap:



But on the outboard part of the shield, it's up against the crossmember:



It's the way the C-channel on that crossmember is made that makes it look weird with the gap, but the 1/2" spacer is perfect.

 

Correction! Bolts are M8 x 40mm long x 1.25 pitch. Hope I didn't screw somebody up.

 

I just received mine today and I also did not receive the spacers shown in the installation video as well as only 2 security bolts. You would think after waiting 4 weeks to receive the product that they would be able to package the right materials.

 

Damn. At least I got 4 of the (too short) security bolts. Went to Ace to get some SS button head Allen bolts of the right length but they don't carry them. Off to West Marine on Monday...

Use the spacers I posted earlier and you'll be good.

 

Good lord. My delivery is scheduled for tomorrow. Not holding my breath that I will get all the necessary hardware with it.

@jake long15 how should we go about obtaining all the necessary hardware from you guys if it is missing?

 

I did the Chat function on their website and they sent it out the same day. I even got a FexEx shipping confirmation. So they are making good on things quickly, they just need to get someone other than The Hunchback filling the hardware orders.

Sure would be nice if ole Jake would pay some attention to this thread.

 

So spacers are required? Just open my package - no spacers in hardware packets. WTF… they must be rushing this batch of orders out.
Gonna email them.

 

Yes, see all the pics I posted. You must have the spacers and, in my opinion, 10+mm longer bolts for the forward attachment points.

 

Wow. At this point it will be a miracle if all the hardware is included in my package.

 

It probably won't be. But if you have to go buy 4 bolts and two spacers it's not the end of the world. I too wish they'd done it right, but the shields are so nice and form-fitting that it's worth the price - again, assuming they fix the problem. All you guys with bad hardware packages have to contact Cali, not just gripe on the forum. Let them know there's a problem!

 

The CR install video clearly shows the spacers and where they go. Why they're not showing up in received orders is hard to understand.

 

Mine just arrived and ALL hardware is present!

 

Nice! Mind posting a photo of the elusive spacers? I’m gonna attach it on an email email to CR. Thanks

 

Ok, just tried installing the driver side one and @08TXRunner is not wrong about the security bolts not being long enough. In fact they may even be a smidge shorter than the OEM bolts. They definitely didn’t take the thickness of the shield into account when supplying the proper length bolts. At least I received all my hardware though? :shrug:

I struggled and struggled and finally said F it and gave up. I’m just using regular hand tools, sockets. Even threading the original bolt back in took effort. I had to use my elbow to hold everything up in place. May use a jack when I do the passenger side to hold the shield in place and tihjt while threading in the front bracket bolts. I’m off to Ace Hardware later today to try and find longer security bolts or button head hex bolts.

The guys in the videos made it look way easier than my experience was. Then again, I only occasionally wrench.