Welcome to Talons Garage!

Install was pretty straight forward. Just a little cramped with my hands to get to the back / top side hardware. Was also my second time under my (new to me) tundra so still getting familiar with it and where things are.

 

Ordered a shield on a Friday evening and picked it up locally this Monday morning. Unfortunately I didn't get to meet the folks running the operation but one of their guys greeted me at the office and loaded it in the truck for me.

I'm an idiot and will admit the installation instructions aren't idiot proof but I still managed to figure it out in my driveway. It's pretty straightforward, you just want to make sure you use all the included washers and figure out where all the hardware goes before jumping into things.

My biggest head scratcher was how the front 2 bolts attach. With the TRD skid plate I removed the original bolts and using the supplied longer bolts the spacers went below the TRD skid plate, then the Miller shield went below the spacers. I may have read the instructions incorrectly but that's how I got things lined up.

It appears the passenger side cat is still somewhat accessible as I can reach my skinny forearm in there from the back side. Whether or not I'd actually be able to get a Sawzall underneath and effectively cut and remove the cat is another story.

Overall I'd say it's still an effective deterrent and happy with the purchase and I'm more than happy to support a local small business. Im happy with the fit and finish and everything lined up like OEM parts should. My dealership wanted $1400 to install a shield when I bought the truck last week!

 

@Jesse H

Nice that you got a Talon CAT!

I noticed you have the spacers on the bottom...and they need to be between the frame and the Talon. Here's my initial trial/error before I installed the TRD Skid.



Here is the spacer TALON's Garage sent that ended up working great!



And here's the result after install.



After recent oil change in August.

 

Thanks for the images. I just wasn't able to sandwich the Talon shield between the frame and the TRD skid plate. I may try again next time I'm down there but loosening those 2 bolts still didn't allow the skid plate to drop at all.

 

@Jesse H

You have to loosen the middle row TRD Skid bolts. The front ones can stay on...just need to loosen the back 2 rows.

 

Sorry for the install trouble. I think we all have those does where everything lines up and its super easy, and sometimes everything whoops our ass.

Did you try loosening the bolts to the front of those two? That might help?


Sorry we missed you at the shop! I was in Utah with the wife getting some much needed R&R!

 

I'll give that a go next time I'm down there, thanks!

 

Put me down for a 3rd Gen Cat Shield ~ Ordered! This will work with the Stock TRD Offroad skid, right (The Black one, Non-TRD)? Until I can get a Talon skid...

 

Yep, that's what I have.

 

Great, thanks @dilbert !

 

Any discounts for members or black friday deals coming up?

 

Most likely not. We really try to keep our prices as low as possible, and feel when you consider all things we have a really good price.

 

Anyone at Fabtech? The talons garage couple is here and looking at some new equipment for next year!

 

Just wanted to throw in my 2 cents... Installed this shield on my 2018 Tacoma OR, with stock OR skid plate. Fit was perfect and install was easy - very nice when everything lines up like it's supposed to. Thanks for the great product!

 

I love hearing this, and its always good when others can see people liking the product I sell.

 

@Talon2006

I’m currently living in the salt belt. Should I be concerned with any galvanic corrosion or will anti-seize on all the bolts do the trick? I bought the security bolts if that matters. Thanks!

 

This is a topic I have spent a ton of time researching, but have not really found any real world applications or scenarios as far as skid plates, or have I found of it occurring. The big question I have looked for and have not found, is how quick does this chemical reaction happen? Does it take one week, or 20 years?

From what I have found, the frame on the truck should prevent it from happening. Additionally, we use 5052 aluminum that has better corrosive properties and should further prevent it. The stainless steel security bolts will also help prevent it according to an aerospace engineer I spoke to once. If you used some neoprene washers to insulate the plate from the frame I would imagine this would further decrease any incidence of this occurring.

 

Just installed this plate on my ‘23 SR5 (V6 2WD, no skid plate) and noticed it doesn’t sit flush against the front cross member without bending up by the front bolts a little. I used one of the 1/4” spacers above the plate for each of the two front bolts as per the instructions but my shield came with four. I’m wondering if two should be used on each front bolt instead.

I see on TacoTime55’s first pic that there are smaller washers above that 1/4” washer and two brass looking ones in the installation instructions which would make sense to eliminate some of the bending. You can see a little gap from my front pic. It is contacting the cross member but I figured the slight gap is just because it beds up towards the rear cross member. It’s not much and installed fine but the plate isn’t completely flat once installed and wanted to be sure I wasn’t overthinking it.

 

Yes, we started including 4 a long time ago as some people seem to need two on each side, and some need one. I thought I had updated the install guide but apparently didn't.

 

No worries. That makes sense. Thank you for the confirmation.