Cat protection gone wild

Picking up our Tacoma next week. Will need cat protection, truck will be parked in a garage some of the time and outside in driveway other times. Neighbor's Jeep had cat removed a month ago. Was initially looking into Miller Cat. Company doing aftermarket tweaks for us said they install skids with cat protectors, but could install Miller Cat if we supplied it. I'm thinking maybe they are onto something, skids are functional. Well now that stump bumper looks pretty sweet with the skids. If your getting the bumper you might as well get the Evo 10-s winch. Do I need sliders as well?!?!

I just want something the wife and I can go pick blueberries with.

 

More time on this forum = lol

What model do you have? the OR has thin skids that come with it, and I like the sliders since there are some super skinny hunting areas that I drive through and the sliders give me peace of mind. I went with miller cat since I'm not going down the route of full aluminum/steel skids

 

haha no kidding, a truck purchase would have been so simple if I had never found this site!!! Our truck is a OR. Its my first 4 wheel drive vehicle so I know I'm going to want to test the waters. I have a history of taking 2wd vehicles places that some 4x4 would find challenging so this should be interesting. Do you have a winch?

 

A cat shield isn't a bad idea when that's a thing in your area.

But all that other stuff for blueberry picking? Tomorrow is Friday.

 

I installed the RCI engine skid so there is real protection instead of just a splash guard and to protect on at least light trails. I added the transmission skid just because, and added the catalytic converter wings to the transmission skid. 100 lbs basically added without going crazy.

No immediate plans for transfer case, rear differential, front suspension wing protection or sliders.

 

I prefer to go light on the skids. I'm deflecting small stones and branches, not dropping it on large boulders. Aluminum oil skid and a small cat shield. Less than 40 pounds all in, including stickers.




There are other places to waste weight penalties upon.

 

Nice sticker! Gives those crack head cat thieves a nice welcoming!

 

Cannot argue with "light". But I suppose I was influenced by reports of un-weldable cracks in aluminium skids when they do their job and protect. And there is the "already paid for" aspect of my belly armor. More armor is unlikely for a while because I have seem enough of trails to not want to risk my daily-driver and will stick with mild roads to access remote trailheads.

 

What brand of cat shield is that? Looks like great protection.

 

Who says you can't weld it?

 

I think mine is light, it’s aluminum, the trd skid and talon garage cat shield. Somewhere around 40 pounds. I’m the type that “just drives down forest roads”, but the shields have seen some scratches.

 

It appears to be made by "Fuck You You Fucing Fuck". I tried googling but didn't find where to buy one. However, it did lead me to some interesting documentaries the I will be researching later.

 

I installed a Miller Cat Shield, in combination with a 3rd Gen TRD skid plate on my 2nd Gen.

Works well and both line up perfectly to compliment each other. Granted a cat shield isn’t a skid plate. But it offers some protection off-road, and it’s lighter.

 

Username checks out

 

is picking blueberries code for something?

 

Cali Raised.

 

It's a Canadian secret that involves large groups, anonymous trucks, cold weather, and colder beer.

 

Welding aluminium I am told is trickier than welding steel. But all I know about welding is that it is all glowy and sparky and hot, so ...

 

Not trickier by any means, just requires a different process.

Just wanted to dispel the "un-weldable" part; aluminum heat soaks like crazy and often times a beginner will apply heat for a prolonged amount of time in order to penetrate the oxide layer only to either blow through or create a giant weld puddle.

Welding aluminum is like robbing a bank; need to bring the heat and hit it fast.

 

Thanks for that information.