2016–2023 Tacoma Catalytic Converter Shield – Bolt-On Theft Protection by Cali Raised LED

I just checked. Thanks for letting me know. The shield was actually touching the driveshaft. Good thing I didn’t engage the 4wd. That would have been disastrous. I loosened everything up and adjusted the shield and now the driveshaft freely spins with about 1/4” clearance. Now I’ll drive around and recheck for rattles.

 

Which version is this?

 

I have v2. I guess a slight warning that the shield shouldn’t rest on the driveshaft when you install it is in order.

 

yikes.

Each Tacoma will have slight build differences but this seems like close tolerances, especially when everything is bouncing around independently while on a rough surface.

Good catch.

 

Below is the pic I took yesterday of that area, not the best. I can take another one if you need me to. Like I said it was so difficult going on, even after loosening everything I couldn't get it to move from where it was.



I will say that tightening those two bolts squeezed the shield back since it didn't have any room to be pulled back to the trans crossbar. The two security bolts were already at the max of the slot where they go through the shield. So from what I can tell there is no way to adjust the shield away from the driveshaft.

 

I'm with you and @TRDRed about the shaft moving independently from the frame and this being a concern. I mean I guess I could use a grinder and remove some material to get clearance, but man, this has turned into quite the job to make these fit without issues.

 

Man, I'm glad you checked.

When you say you loosened everything up and adjusted the shield, did you have room in the oval slot where the security bolts go through to move it back? Cause I don't have that, I'm all the way "back" as far as I can go in that slot. Glad yours worked out... do you feel like 1/4 inch is enough? I don't know how much movement the driveshaft can move.

 

I loosened the transmission bolts and removed the security bolts. Then fiddled with shield and security bolts until the front cleared the driveshaft, then tightened the security bolts down and then the transmission bolts.

I just hope 1/4” is enough of a gap with any driveshaft flex. I admit I’d like a bit more clearance still, but I think the only way to get more room is to maybe drill the oval slot to allow for more clearance, adjust the bend/angle at the front of the shield, or trim the front of the shield.

Dunno. Everything clears now, but not sure how the driveshaft moves in relation to the shield.

 

Putting the new shields on yesterday went well but now you guys are scaring me with it hitting the driveshaft haha I gotta check it again once I get a chance. Looking at the pictures I took it does look close but I drove for 30 minutes and no rattles which is good

 

Could be the photo angle, but yours doesn't look nearly as close as the other's. I'd say yours is fine.

EDIT: Well, when I blow your picture up, that's still pretty close. I could be wrong, but I believe that most of the driveshaft's movement would be up and down, not side-to-side... although some severe torque could move it that way. Makes me a little uncomfortable too.

I'm going to crawl under mine and snap a couple of pictures shortly.

Welcome other's thoughts of course.

 

Shit I hope it’s the angle … but I did notice that I got the same hardware from the v1 so I’m not sure if that makes a difference

 

I received the same hardware as well... but as mentioned earlier I opted to use the OEM transmission crossmember bolts instead (and no spacers of course). I don't see how that would make a difference either.

So you used the new tranny mount bolts, washers and nuts?

 

I just noticed that the gold washers you've used for the two security bolts are actually the washers meant for the transmission crossmember bolts (also gold). The gold washer's ID is larger at 10.5mm vs 8.75mm for the silver ones for the security bolts. They are both 1.5mm thick though so that shouldn't make any difference, but the OCD in me just noticed that.

 

Hahaha.... so funny you mentioned that. I noticed the same thing after I posted the pic and was wondering who might point it out.

In my defense, I didn't jack up my truck this time and was pulling the hardware out of the package while I was on my back in a tight space and just pulled out the washers not thinking about the new bolts they provided and those washers.

 

@CenCal805 and others, I just crawled under mine, took a look at the v2 driver's side shield I installed yesterday and I have to say that I am NOT comfortable with what I see either. There is barely a half-inch if that between the shield and the u-joint mount of the front driveshaft. I could barely stick my index finger between them.

I can see where some hard horizontal movement could put them in contact. Again, I believe "normal" movement would be vertical, but...

I didn't have time to try and make any adjustments, however based on the install, I don't believe there's hardly any adjustment to be had. It was super tight when I was finally able to snug all of the bolts down.

I went back and looked at the photos I took of the original (v1) install and unfortunately I don't have any of that area. Maybe it was also that close, no idea.

Sooooo... it looks like we (I at least) need to have another conversation with the folks at @CaliRaisedLed about next steps. Maybe it's okay, dunno, but it certainly makes me nervous. Sigh.

Apologies that the photos aren't better. In a hurry to go and get our pup from doggy daycare.

 

Index finger, I got about half of my pinky finger clearance.

 

aww man that’s not good… I don’t even want to look at mine. So as far as we’re not engaging 4x4 it’ll be okay? Do you plan on leaving it on for right now?

 

I used the same bolts and hardware from the v1

 

I’m leaving as-is for now, but agreed, not engaging four wheel drive for now either. Waiting to hear back from @CaliRaisedLed about next steps.

 

Thinking about it, I wonder if the transmission cross mount spacers used in the v1 pulled the shield forward and further away from the front U-joint/driveshaft?