Rival 4x4 Transmission and T-Case Skid Install

[ADVNTURR]

I purchased my '24 XLT without the FX4 package so I have been working on obtaining and installing the @RIVAL 4x4 aluminum plates for peace of mind protection for whatever future off-road travels may be ahead.

I had previously installed the engine skid plate which I detailed here but recently I receive the transmission and transfer case skids so I decided to do install videos for those as well.

The transmission skid plate was relatively easy to install, but my install didn't exactly follow Rival's supplied directions. My XLT install ended up following the Raptor instructions and I had to use their provided extension plates (fortunately Rival supplied hardware for nearly every possible situation).


The transfer case skid plate install was the most difficult and time consuming of the 3 main plates. I will note that it would be much easier to install this skid plate at the same time you install their transmission skid because I had to loosen every bolt on the transmission skid to get the t-case skid to align. Again, Rival did a great job of providing plenty of hardware and the instructions cover a bunch of the variables (I again basically had to follow the Raptor directions on my XLT).


Overall I'm very happy with how these plates all installed and nothing required any cutting/grinding/modification to the plates or truck. The final product looks great and provides a ton of coverage for the critical parts of the truck without adding a ton of extra weight. I am a bit disappointed that @RIVAL 4x4 isn't currently offering their version of the front/radiator skid in the US because after seeing these skids I'd much rather pay them than Ford for that skid.

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[RangerDangerStranger]

Thank you for making these high quality installation Videos. You verified the issue i believed was present when i recieved, and then promptly returned the transmission skid plate. I believe your giving Rival too much credit, as your US '24 XLT frame is exactly like my US '24 XLT and I'm betting all US Frames are gonna be the same XL to Lariot, exception being the Raptor. Why i returned mine. This is a World spec plate, fits the world spec Ranger as a direct bolt up, Not the US Ranger. Also, if you have the Ford Transfer case plate, It will have to be removed and if you want a Transfer case plate, you'll have to spend nanother 250 for the Rival plate. All in all, a pretty big disappointment form a pretty usually awesome company. I also have their Gas Tank Skid installed. It's a beautiful piece of aluminum.

 

[Ivan Baez]

look cool, congratulations!

 

[Ranger #1]

I purchased my '24 XLT without the FX4 package so I have been working on obtaining and installing the @RIVAL 4x4 aluminum plates for peace of mind protection for whatever future off-road travels may be ahead.

I had previously installed the engine skid plate which I detailed here but recently I receive the transmission and transfer case skids so I decided to do install videos for those as well.

The transmission skid plate was relatively easy to install, but my install didn't exactly follow Rival's supplied directions. My XLT install ended up following the Raptor instructions and I had to use their provided extension plates (fortunately Rival supplied hardware for nearly every possible situation).


The transfer case skid plate install was the most difficult and time consuming of the 3 main plates. I will note that it would be much easier to install this skid plate at the same time you install their transmission skid because I had to loosen every bolt on the transmission skid to get the t-case skid to align. Again, Rival did a great job of providing plenty of hardware and the instructions cover a bunch of the variables (I again basically had to follow the Raptor directions on my XLT).


Overall I'm very happy with how these plates all installed and nothing required any cutting/grinding/modification to the plates or truck. The final product looks great and provides a ton of coverage for the critical parts of the truck without adding a ton of extra weight. I am a bit disappointed that @RIVAL 4x4 isn't currently offering their version of the front/radiator skid in the US because after seeing these skids I'd much rather pay them than Ford for that skid.

Hello , I have a US 2024 4x4 ford ranger xl supercrew, will this rival skid plate will fit this pickup also ,I have the factory transfer case skid plate on the truck ,me and RangerDangerStranger and I were chatting with each other about 3 months ago and he gave me a update at the beginning of January when he received it, said it was about 2 inches to short ,I'm confused, please help me to understand what I need for my truck

 

[Ranger #1]

Thank you for making these high quality installation Videos. You verified the issue i believed was present when i recieved, and then promptly returned the transmission skid plate. I believe your giving Rival too much credit, as your US '24 XLT frame is exactly like my US '24 XLT and I'm betting all US Frames are gonna be the same XL to Lariot, exception being the Raptor. Why i returned mine. This is a World spec plate, fits the world spec Ranger as a direct bolt up, Not the US Ranger. Also, if you have the Ford Transfer case plate, It will have to be removed and if you want a Transfer case plate, you'll have to spend nanother 250 for the Rival plate. All in all, a pretty big disappointment form a pretty usually awesome company. I also have their Gas Tank Skid installed. It's a beautiful piece of aluminum.

Hey RangerDangerStranger, so that transmission skidplate would have fit on your pickup right, but you would have needed a Rival transfer case skid plate also because the OEM transfer case skid plate would have not matched with the Rival tranmission skidplate right???

 

[Ranger #1]

I purchased my '24 XLT without the FX4 package so I have been working on obtaining and installing the @RIVAL 4x4 aluminum plates for peace of mind protection for whatever future off-road travels may be ahead.

I had previously installed the engine skid plate which I detailed here but recently I receive the transmission and transfer case skids so I decided to do install videos for those as well.

The transmission skid plate was relatively easy to install, but my install didn't exactly follow Rival's supplied directions. My XLT install ended up following the Raptor instructions and I had to use their provided extension plates (fortunately Rival supplied hardware for nearly every possible situation).


The transfer case skid plate install was the most difficult and time consuming of the 3 main plates. I will note that it would be much easier to install this skid plate at the same time you install their transmission skid because I had to loosen every bolt on the transmission skid to get the t-case skid to align. Again, Rival did a great job of providing plenty of hardware and the instructions cover a bunch of the variables (I again basically had to follow the Raptor directions on my XLT).


Overall I'm very happy with how these plates all installed and nothing required any cutting/grinding/modification to the plates or truck. The final product looks great and provides a ton of coverage for the critical parts of the truck without adding a ton of extra weight. I am a bit disappointed that @RIVAL 4x4 isn't currently offering their version of the front/radiator skid in the US because after seeing these skids I'd much rather pay them than Ford for that skid.

I forgot to mention that RangerDangerStranger and I were discussing the Rival tranmission skid plate!!

 

[RangerDangerStranger]

Hey RangerDangerStranger, so that transmission skidplate would have fit on your pickup right, but you would have needed a Rival transfer case skid plate also because the OEM transfer case skid plate would have not matched with the Rival tranmission skidplate right???

That's correct. The other issue i had with the Rival Trans plate was that they just imported a World Ranger plate into the US, and it doesn't fit correctly. You have to use 2 extender brackets to make it fit. With that weakening the install signigicantly, and the fact that you have to throw away your factory Transfer case plate, and buy there's, was enough to make me send it back. They really should disclose, but they don't. Don't let that deter you from their Gas tank plate though, they just Lazied the trans plate out of laziness. The product quality is first rate. I love my tank Plate.

 

[ADVNTURR]

Hello , I have a US 2024 4x4 ford ranger xl supercrew, will this rival skid plate will fit this pickup also ,I have the factory transfer case skid plate on the truck ,me and RangerDangerStranger and I were chatting with each other about 3 months ago and he gave me a update at the beginning of January when he received it, said it was about 2 inches to short ,I'm confused, please help me to understand what I need for my truck

@RangerDangerStranger has already covered the basic answer, the Rival transmission skid will not work with the factory t-case skid plate. In all honesty I'm not sure the Rival t-case skid will really work without their transmission skid (it'd bolt up but I'm not sure how well it'd really be supported).

While I do agree that they have adapted a ROW skid package for the NA Ranger (which Ford honestly shares in the "blame" for this), I don't have an issue with the mounting setup or really any concern about its strength. I do have the advantage of not having any existing skids to have to decide on whether to keep or scrap/resell though.

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