Cali raised SS cat shields

Everything you mentioned were issues early on with the first runs of the CR cat shields, but have since been corrected. When did you get and install your shields?

I just got mine in February, and there's no rattling, and the security bolts are plenty long enough.

 

Got mines early on....glad they fixed the issue.

 

No issues rattling. Also you can buy the extra 4 I did. Contact them and tell Jake you want the extra 4 bolts.

 

Hi all,

Just to reconfirm: the Cali Raised cat shields don't fit the 2024 limited model with the x-reas system? I ordered them not realizing this and may have to cancel my order.

Thanks

 

According to the Cali Raised site, does not fit X-REAS 4Runners:

 

Thanks glwood54! I'll have to cancel and find another option. The Cali Raised seemed reasonably priced ... disappointing.

 

No problem. I've looked at photos of the X-REAS hydraulic lines that are in that area, and cannot tell what exactly would interfere. There's always the option to modify the CR cat shields to fit, but that seems like a big job. I do know MillerCat offers X-REAS compatible shields, but as you say, they are pricier ($330.00).

 

I canceled my order. That being said, I scheduled an appointment for free vin # etching onto the cats (city pays for it). There is a new law in place where the recycle firms cannot purchase "used/stolen" cats that have vin # etched without first confirming with the owner.

 

Hard to see how etching the VIN is going to keep someone from stealing them. It seems it would work as good as you etching please don’t steal on them. The only thing it could do is allow the police to give you back the hacked up converters if they catch the shit bag that stole them.

 

Wouldn't the thief just grind away the etched VIN #? Better yet, sell it to a nearby city without this new law.

 

Yeah, there isn't a fool proof system out there... just giving one more reason for thieves to move on to another vehicle. It's CA wide law in 2024 and recycle firms cannot purchase any cats with vin # etched without confirming the owner first. Also, severe penalties for these recycle firms with inspectors performing random audits. But as you guys mentioned, there's always a work around such as grinding out the vin. I wish I could connect a wire from the cat to the battery to shock the nuts off these thieves.

 

Sadly, vin etching would prevent selling to a local recycler, but doesn't prevent them from being cut off and having to be replaced. Unless the smash & grabbers notice the vin etching and opt to move on.

 

Meth heads are not going to look to see if a VIN is etched on a cat. Why? Because they are meth heads and criminals don’t care about laws.

 

Sorry folks but one more question. I got back in touch Cali Raised and they're telling me that the cat shield can fit my 4runner with the XREAS system if I make a small notch on top of one of the shields. The shield is made of 12 gauge 304 brushed steel. I don't have the tools nor skills to perform this. Does anyone know if it's easy to do? Is this something that my local mechanic can do with an angle grinder? I reviewed the Miller Cat shield but the install on it is more involved and having to remove/install it for routine maintenance appears costly/painful.

 

You could mark where they need trimming and have a shop with the right tools do the actual trimming (or have them do it all). The trimming that needs to be done, as far as I can tell, is on the front end of their cat shield by the rear engine skid, and I'll bet it just needs a notch to clear a hydraulic line.

If I was close I'd help you get it taken care of.

 

Thank you glwood54. I'll call shops around me. Very cool and knowledge group here ... 4Runner owners are salt of the earth people!

 

Anytime. What would help is if you could post a photo of your frame rail where the back of the engine skid is. That would reveal what's "interfering" with the installation of these shields.

 

I'll send pics over the weekend but this is the example the folks at Cali Raised shared with me. The end section with the red markings is where it needs to be pared back.

 

Gotcha.

Seeing as how the attachment points are elsewhere (circled in yellow below), anyone with an angle grinder would be able to make those modifications.

 

If you need any more help with the installation at any time, please reach out to info@caliraisedled.com and we will help you out

 

will the notch need to be done to both sides?

 

Cool thank you all! Cali Raised just said the drivers side but I'll need to crawl under the car to check.

 

I just installed and have the trd skid . Your cats are behind your transmission shield so they are nowhere near your trd skid plate . Seems the shop doesn’t know this .

 

I just installed the Cali raised cat shields on my 24 Limited so I’ll try to be helpful here. The area where CR marked as needing to be removed was incorrect. I actually ground down the shield as they mentioned and still had clearance issues with the Xreas line.

I’ve attached two pictures showing where the shields on both sides need to be ground down .25” minimum to clear the hydraulic line.

I used a cheap bench grinder and it added about an hour to the installation.

 

Cool, I had to do the same. It's cool not having to worry about the cats being stolen anymore

 

I'm in Southern California so this was the first modification I did.

 

LOL, I'm in Northern California so this was the first modification I did as well.

 

Life in California!

 

Got the RCI also, it seems to protect most of the cat. I know there are better ones out there. Installed the full skid plate from RCI so I don't like to mix products.

 

These have been sitting in my garage the past couple weeks. I'll probably get to this and the 1st break-in oil change this weekend. I'm only at 685 miles