Question about install of RCI tranny skid

So I got it on finally, but as I have the stock thin engine skid, I had to bend back part of it along with bend down two arms that stick out but don't seem to serve a purpose. I use the RCI long bolts for the rear four bolts that go through the truss bracing and then to the cross brace. But for the front bolts I had to reuse the factory bolts from the rear which are relatively long to catch thread on the front part of the tranny skid with factory engine skid beneath it. If I drag on a rock in reverse it'll catch those arms from the factory engine skid but it'll just bend easily if anything.

I did use the aluminum spacer that fits between the rear truss and the rear of the tranny skid. The included bolts worked fine.

What's up with the front though? Did I not get the correct hardware (instructions said something about nylon spacers which I didn't get but wouldn't have helped) or did I just install it wrong?

To be clear, the front part of the RCI tranny skid is sandwiched between the frame and the thin factory engine skid.

 

I could be wrong but, I think the transmission skid is made to be installed with the engine skid. I just installed a full set of RCI skids under mine and I think the nylon spacers came with the engine skid. That flimsy skid seems worthless, I'd get the engine skid as well. Anyway, it sounds like you have it installed right for what you have.

 

Glenn is correct. RCI skids are intended to be integrated with each other. Their transmission skid wasn't designed to mount with the factory engine skid.

 

Thanks y'all. I was looking at other companies for an engine skid plate and got this one mostly to prevent catalytic converter theft. I test drove it and no rattles so we shall see.

 

I’m thinking about getting the RCI skid and have the front TRD skid plate. Do you mind posting a few pics of the issue and skid mounted.

 

I have a TRD skid plate and RCI from there back. RCI makes a TRD integration skid plate made just for this situation.

TRD Integration Skid Plate | 10-Present 4Runner / FJ Cruiser - RCI Off Road (rcimetalworks.com)

 

The two arms that seemingly do nothing (I've never done anything to it as far as I can remember) had to be bent down some so that the plate could be slid flush against the factory plate. There was an additional piece of metal on the top face of the factory skid that needed to be beaten down even with the rest of the plate.

Hope this helps.

 

Here is how mine looks if it helps. The nylon spacers are above the engine and transmission overlapped area.

 

In the Lexus 460 they have the same setup, except those arms hold a little piece of plastic. I forget what it covers above it though, I don't think it covers anything more then on a 4 runner.

 

I have the transmission skid installed and have no issues. RCI was kind enough to send me additional bolts and even spacers for the front to install with stock diff cover.

 

Thanks. I knew I hadn't removed anything prior to this but I did have second thoughts as there is a thread tapped into both of those little arms and seemed like it definitely had a purpose.

 

The Limited 4Rs have a piece that mounts on those additional tabs, but none of the other models utilize them.

 

Correct as posted above, you need the RCI skid package to use their hardware. I have their products from the radiator back to the A/T, and those bolts only work with their plates when stacked correctly.