Cali raised SS cat shields

Also deleted my responses. They added nothing to this thread.

 

The bolts I got are just a shade longer than 49 mm if this is the correct way to measure them:

 

You just measure the threads - but those are certainly better than the 30mm's in my kit.

 

The threads span about 45 mm.

 

I ordered a set yesterday so I'll keep folks in the loop on if I get the longer bolts and if the spacers are included!

 

I installed my cat shields over the weekend. Prior to installing the driver side shield, I trimmed the corner off the tab where the bolts go (as shown in a photo earlier in this thread) to provide enough room to create clearance between the cat and the shield. By pushing the shield down during install and tightening the inner bolts first, I was able to leave probably about 1/4" of clearance between cat and shield, resulting in no rattle or noise while driving.

Also after install, carefully looking at the passenger side cat and shield, I think a determined thief might still be able to cut out the passenger side cat, but hopefully they would be deterred by just seeing the shields in place.

 

I can do you one better. Just pay an exhaust shop to cut the catalytic converters and weld it back up, then sell the catalytic converters to cover that and make some profit

 

Anyone have before/after pics from the side? I'm curious how much of these show after installation.

 

Edit - the shields do hang a few inches lower than the frame, but not lower than the trans crossmember. You do have to be pretty low to see them.

 

Thank you.

 

Can someone tell me the size of the bit for the security bolts provided by Caliraised with the shield? I think its a Torx bit.

 

M8, T-40.

 

Okay, I just spent a little too much of my Saturday installing the Cali Raised Cat shields, but mostly because Cali Raised makes things difficult by including paper thin washers that don't stand up to the 53 ft/lb torque for the transmission crosspiece member bolts, and by NOT including the infamous spacers which necessitated a trip to the hardware store.

Hardware store didn't have the right spacers, so used SS 1/2 hex nuts, which worked okay (see picture, which shows slight contact on the outboard side of the bracket). Also found some extra thick, hardened grade 8 washers to replace the buttery washers included in the hardware kit.

The amazing: It only took a week to get the shields.

The good: KDSS doesn't interfere with the installation at all. The driver's side shield doesn't contact the catalytic converter. The security bolts are 45mm, which is plenty long.

The bad: Undersized washers for the long hex bolts. The rubber grommet kind of misses the frame. No specs anywhere--no torque specs on the install video; no equipment specs, i.e., are the transmission crossmember bolts metric? What grade are they?

The ugly: No spacers included in my hardware kit.

The question: Anyone know what size the included hex bolts are? Guessing metric, because the SAE nylok nuts I picked up to replace the included nuts don't fit.

Bonus stupid idea: I think when I'm satisfied with everything, I'll put some epoxy into the security bolt recesses just to mess with anyone who happens to be carrying around a $6 Torx security bit collection.

 

Have them on my 2022 Tacoma, like them for the lower profile and lower cost.

 

Thank you for this post! Going to give this a shot. The rattling is starting to annoy me.

 

What torque specs did folks use for the cross member bolts? Sorry if this was noted earlier in the thread. Did anyone else have issues with the washers like @BOregon? I got my cat shields and it looks like I got all the parts including spacers, longer 40mm bolts. All four of the 40mm bolts are Torx security so they seem to be revising their hardware kit. Im also noticing the bottom flange where the cross member bolts seems to have been slightly redesigned. Time will tell if this helps with the rattle issues!

 

Just finished the install- took about 45 minutes and went very smooth. The longer 45mm security bolts provided make it much easier-sorry to those of you that struggled with the 30mm bolts. The new design also seems to leave enough space with the curved cross member bar that trimming will not be needed to prevent a rattle. I have no rattle and the shields are not touching the cat. All in all Im pretty happy! I haven't yet torqued the long bolts and nuts yet as Im hoping to confirm the 5torque spec.

 

So did you get 40mm or 45mm bolts?

 

my bad the bolt thread span I got was like 44-45mm. My mention of 40mm was in error.

 

The Cali Raised Hex bolts are 3/8" x 5.25", 16 pitch, grade 8, which are slightly larger in diameter than the OEM bolts. I replaced all of the supplied hardware with 5" bolts and new nyloks after undoing everything several times due to the mushy washer situation. The hardened, thick washers worked well, and the 5" bolts leave about 3 or 4 threads showing, even with the added split lock washers thrown on for good measure.
Still no rattles, and aside from random hardware supplied with the shields, I'm sleeping better knowing they're on.

 

I JUST GOT MY SHIELDS DELIVERED TODAY. I CAN CONFIRM THAT THEY HAVE SORTED OUT THE HARDWARE ISSUE.

 

THAT'S GREAT NEWS.

 

I've had mine installed about 2 months. Ever since I got my Gibson CatBack exhaust, the vibration has gotten loud. Thinking of removing the Cat shields.

 

For you. @BOregon wasn't so lucky.

 

Related question. When the DeWalt goes under the truck, what typically comes out along with the cat . . . are people replacing with aftermarket setups at all after being cut off?

 

Hey Mark, All the hardware and longer bolts? Was getting these for my 23 Pro but maybe getting the talonsgarage plates. Should not have to deal with not getting everything. Thanks.

 

Hello Y’all. First post on the site. Bought my 4runner a couple months ago and recently started hearing a pretty loud rattle at low rpm while in drive at a stop. Thought it was something really bad (engine/torque converter/etc) then after inspection I noticed the Cali Raised skid touches the cat. Took the Cali raised skid off (there was a black burn mark on both the Skid plate and cat heat shield btw) and wawlaaa no rattle! Put some longer 50mm Allen bolts/spacers/ and shaved off the corners like the guy did earlier in the thread. No rattle so far. Good product but definitely think they should adjust the product/hardware for the driver side.

 

Would like to confirm with others on the fitment on these without any rattling or noise. Up between these and the talons garage plates.

 

I can confirm the drivers side touches the factory shield and will rattle. Others have had the same issues and have modified the cat shield to resolve the problem.

 

During initial install, I trimmed the corner of the driver's side shield (using an angle grinder...Dremel would have worked also) where it is close to the transmission cross brace as shown in some of the photos earlier in this thread, which allows you to keep some separation between the CaliRaised shield and the catalyst, so I have never had any rattling sound.