Question for past or present RCI skidplate owners.

[Velonici]

Did any of you guys keep the tube braces when you put yours on? I ask because all 8 of the bolts snapped off and if I can just leave then off then that is 4 less bolts I have to drill out and tap.

 

[having fun]

Did any of you guys keep the tube braces when you put yours on? I ask because all 8 of the bolts snapped off and if I can just leave then off then that is 4 less bolts I have to drill out and tap.

You can leave them bars off, they are for cross support for the trans cross member. The TRANS plate you are putting on now also ties into the engine support also.

I still put mine on/off as I need due to off roading, they save my CATS from being smashed if I do difficult trails as I have sum dents in them already from not having them on. If you do want to put them on, you will have to smash some of the round part of the tube on them as it will run across your plates and WON'T be able to mount on. I think you might need longer bolts also.

 

[Synister]

I ditched mine. While I doubt that the skid plates provide as much directional strength as the tubes, I also doubt I or anyone else is capable of loading the truck such that its noticeable.

 

[having fun]

Besides, I noticed on the other thread you did a differential plate also, to many tie in points to be a problem.

 

[Velonici]

Thanks guys, saves me a bit of work.

 

[nogoodverybaday]

My bolts were also trashed when I installed my RCI skids last month. I had to weld nuts onto two deformed bolt-heads to get them off -- drilling out bolts underneath the truck is pretty low on my list of things I enjoy. More, one of the nuts welded to the inside of the crossmember broke loose...

Even with all the trouble, I kept the tube-supports, following the instructions from RCI. While I'm sure they're not completely necessary, I figure any additional protection I can get is a good thing.

 

[snowboardwcu]

hey all, having pretty much the same issue. one of these bolt heads snapped on me while trying to install RCI trans skid. i dont have the tools to fix the snapped guy OR get the other three out properly so i'm going to have a friend do it.

I want to give him proper replacement bolts for these 4, does anyone know the size of the existing bolts? i'm sure they are probably M8, but at what length?

any help is appreciated! thanks. :cheers:

 

[CruzadoBlanco]

hey all, having pretty much the same issue. one of these bolt heads snapped on me while trying to install RCI trans skid. i dont have the tools to fix the snapped guy OR get the other three out properly so i'm going to have a friend do it.

I want to give him proper replacement bolts for these 4, does anyone know the size of the existing bolts? i'm sure they are probably M8, but at what length?

any help is appreciated! thanks. :cheers:

Length shouldn't matter as long as it's at least 1" or so. I busted one of my heads off wheing and just grabbed a 1.5" one and had ~.5" of extra thread through the nut.

 

[CXS]

Your sig shows you do wheel a bit so I'd leave them on, I'm in favor of any protection availble vs any damage.

 

[snowboardwcu]

thanks a bunch. save me from jacking it up and fiddlin around on my street.

 

[asanelli]

You can leave them bars off, they are for cross support for the trans cross member

View attachment 152291

what the brace part number

 

[having fun]

what the brace part number

I have no idea.