RIVAL vs Stock vs Buckle Up Off Road skid plates install

[ADDGAMER]

Finally got around to installing the @RIVAL 4x4 skid plates (Engine and Transmission) and the Buckle up off-road transfer case skid that I've had since 2024 (made the minion do most of the work). I went with the Buckle up as the darn Rival Transfer case is never ever in stock. Having seen posts online stating that the RIVAL transmission skid will not work with the stock transfer case skid and not even the buckle up transfer skid, I'm just venting my opinion. Why the heck make it not compatible with the stock transfer case skid??? I mean if the intent is to ensure the customer HAS to purchase your transfer case skid, at the minimum make the F'er be in stock all of the darn time. I refused to either cut up the RIVAL SKID, the stock transfer skid or the buckle up transfer skid. So with a trip to the hardware store for a longer bolt, we used the bolt relocation bar that rival.included in its kit to sandwich the driver's side attachment to the buckle up transfer case skid. For the most part, I just kept the stock hardware in place. Counting the trip to the hardware store, install for all 3 plates took around 90 minutes.

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[Mystic]

Looks good!!

I've got the RIVAL bumper coming at some point (hopefully by August??) and will likely be picking up a set of their skids as well. Preparing to go without the XFER case skid for a while, I guess..

 

[Fawnbuster]

Finally got around to installing the @RIVAL 4x4 skid plates (Engine and Transmission) and the Buckle up off-road transfer case skid that I've had since 2024 (made the minion do most of the work). I went with the Buckle up as the darn Rival Transfer case is never ever in stock. Having seen posts online stating that the RIVAL transmission skid will not work with the stock transfer case skid and not even the buckle up transfer skid, I'm just venting my opinion. Why the heck make it not compatible with the stock transfer case skid??? I mean if the intent is to ensure the customer HAS to purchase your transfer case skid, at the minimum make the F'er be in stock all of the darn time. I refused to either cut up the RIVAL SKID, the stock transfer skid or the buckle up transfer skid. So with a trip to the hardware store for a longer bolt, we used the bolt relocation bar that rival.included in its kit to sandwich the driver's side attachment to the buckle up transfer case skid. For the most part, I just kept the stock hardware in place. Counting the trip to the hardware store, install for all 3 plates took around 90 minutes.

All hail Minion! The force is strong in that wee one, remember junior, lefty loosey righty tighty!

 

[ADDGAMER]

All hail Minion! The force is strong in that wee one, remember junior, lefty loosey righty tighty!

Last year he learned on our older 69 Chrysler that the driver side lugs go lefty tightly righty loosy. Lol

 

[josephp732]

Last year he learned on our older 69 Chrysler that the driver side lugs go lefty tightly righty loosy. Lol

I had a 1970 Dodge Cornet 440 that had reverse threaded lug nuts!

 

[Gowheelwithjonlarson]

I hacked up my stock skid when I did the rival trans skid. Wasn't happy about it since I had no idea. I called it out in a video I made on the install to try to help others learn before ordering. I ordered the rival Tcase after that. I waited a long time for the rival skid and it was worth it.
I think I waited a very long time for the trans and gas skids, like 4 months+.

I might eventually order their engine skid, but at least the engine has a factory skid for now. I did not like having no trans skid with a plastic trans pan hanging low. Same for the gas tank.

 

[ADDGAMER]

I hacked up my stock skid when I did the rival trans skid. Wasn't happy about it since I had no idea. I called it out in a video I made on the install to try to help others learn before ordering. I ordered the rival Tcase after that. I waited a long time for the rival skid and it was worth it.
I think I waited a very long time for the trans and gas skids, like 4 months+.

I might eventually order their engine skid, but at least the engine has a factory skid for now. I did not like having no trans skid with a plastic trans pan hanging low. Same for the gas tank.

I watched your video, so I was already in a bad mood before crawling under the truck...LOL I'll probably do the gas tank skid later in the fall. I wasn't going to cut the stock transfer or the rival transmission plate and was actually considering another vendor for the transmission skid. Glad my Grandfather tought me to think outside the box and was able to make it all work (for now)

 

[Mystic]

XFER case skid is back in stock, apparently

Got the email last night

Edit: available for backorder, not "in stock"
Don't know why they didn't just turn on back ordering in the first place

 

[DutchRanger]

before/after pics

Just installed...

also, just backordered the transfer case plate.

Looks great underneath!

 

[Greg Rosar]

Very nice. Any idea ho much weight all that added?

 

[ADDGAMER]

Very nice. Any idea ho much weight all that added?

Not a clue, sorry.

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