Front Skid Plate

[Eltaco]

RCI Metalworks Skid Plates: Engine, Tranny (and cat shield), T-Case Overview, Install, and Review

Note: This post is originally posted to Jolly Rogue Co. website on 9/24/2023 RCI Full Skid and cat guard installed RCI Metalworks Full Skid Plate Package Skid plates have been a vital part of chassis protection on offroad vehicles. These metal panels are designed to take a beating while...

5thgenrams.com

here's everything you need to know

Agreed. This is the best writeup anyone could ask for. Nice work!

I received my plates from RCI today and figured I’d try to install quick during my lunch break. Looks really straightforward, but I’m also missing the nuts from my hardware package to complete install. I sent RCI a note so they have the opportunity to evaluate and update their hardware pack for future consumers.

As for me, I’ll have to make a run to the store. I ended the project quickly after starting.

 

[boogielander]

Agreed. This is the best writeup anyone could ask for. Nice work!

I received my plates from RCI today and figured I’d try to install quick during my lunch break. Looks really straightforward, but I’m also missing the nuts from my hardware package to complete install. I sent RCI a note so they have the opportunity to evaluate and update their hardware pack for future consumers.

As for me, I’ll have to make a run to the store. I ended the project quickly after starting.

yeah im not sure what's going on there but it seems like they've been sending out Ram 1500 skids with missing hardware...
but not for other applications (4Runner, Gx, etc)
i ended up buying my own hardware lol

 

[Eltaco]

Got the kit installed.

For reference - my truck has the following:
- About a 2.5” lift in the front
- ORP with factory skid plates
- Air dams both removed
- Fumoto oil drain valve

I had to remove the factory transmission skid plate even to get the front RCI plate on. No real concern there since the RCI kit comes with a beefier transmission plate with wider coverage.

The hardware package needs work. I’m missing a M10 flanged bolt and 4 M10x1.5 nuts. I found the nuts at Home Depot and ended up using one of the factory bolts (with different head) in place of the bolt RCI should have put in the package. I ended up with 4 extra bolts and a bunch of other random hardware from RCI after the install.

Drain valve is completely accessible with this front skid plate kit. No concerns.

Overall impression is these are very high quality parts. No sharp edges, all of the metal work fit really well, it covers the area under the engine belts well, and isn’t super visible from the front of the truck… this kit checks all the boxes for me. Thanks for the recommendation, gents!

 

[frisby5]

Got the kit installed.

For reference - my truck has the following:
- About a 2.5” lift in the front
- ORP with factory skid plates
- Air dams both removed
- Fumoto oil drain valve

I had to remove the factory transmission skid plate even to get the front RCI plate on. No real concern there since the RCI kit comes with a beefier transmission plate with wider coverage.

The hardware package needs work. I’m missing a M10 flanged bolt and 4 M10x1.5 nuts. I found the nuts at Home Depot and ended up using one of the factory bolts (with different head) in place of the bolt RCI should have put in the package. I ended up with 4 extra bolts and a bunch of other random hardware from RCI after the install.

Drain valve is completely accessible with this front skid plate kit. No concerns.

Overall impression is these are very high quality parts. No sharp edges, all of the metal work fit really well, it covers the area under the engine belts well, and isn’t super visible from the front of the truck… this kit checks all the boxes for me. Thanks for the recommendation, gents!

Do i need to remove the active air dam and the stationary one?

 

[HSKR R/T]

Do i need to remove the active air dam and the stationary one?

Probably don't need to remove the stationary one. I can't imagine the active air dam would work with it though

 

[Alejandro_Andretti]

Got the kit installed.

For reference - my truck has the following:
- About a 2.5” lift in the front
- ORP with factory skid plates
- Air dams both removed
- Fumoto oil drain valve

I had to remove the factory transmission skid plate even to get the front RCI plate on. No real concern there since the RCI kit comes with a beefier transmission plate with wider coverage.

The hardware package needs work. I’m missing a M10 flanged bolt and 4 M10x1.5 nuts. I found the nuts at Home Depot and ended up using one of the factory bolts (with different head) in place of the bolt RCI should have put in the package. I ended up with 4 extra bolts and a bunch of other random hardware from RCI after the install.

Drain valve is completely accessible with this front skid plate kit. No concerns.

Overall impression is these are very high quality parts. No sharp edges, all of the metal work fit really well, it covers the area under the engine belts well, and isn’t super visible from the front of the truck… this kit checks all the boxes for me. Thanks for the recommendation, gents!

I was hoping it went all the way up to the front bumper. Gap looks huge still, Can you post a pic from a little further away

 

[boogielander]

Do i need to remove the active air dam and the stationary one?

the active one has to go sir
the stationary one probably can stay.
see installed pic for where it goes:

 

[boogielander]

I was hoping it went all the way up to the front bumper. Gap looks huge still, Can you post a pic from a little further away

he didn't install the filler plate that goes to the front bumper.

see this pic for installed WITH filler plate:


see here for full install tips, tricks, review, and overview:

RCI Metalworks Skid Plates: Engine, Tranny (and cat shield), T-Case Overview, Install, and Review

Note: This post is originally posted to Jolly Rogue Co. website on 9/24/2023 RCI Full Skid and cat guard installed RCI Metalworks Full Skid Plate Package Skid plates have been a vital part of chassis protection on offroad vehicles. These metal panels are designed to take a beating while...

5thgenrams.com

 

[Alejandro_Andretti]

he didn't install the filler plate that goes to the front bumper.

see this pic for installed WITH filler plate:
View attachment 169334

see here for full install tips, tricks, review, and overview:

RCI Metalworks Skid Plates: Engine, Tranny (and cat shield), T-Case Overview, Install, and Review

Note: This post is originally posted to Jolly Rogue Co. website on 9/24/2023 RCI Full Skid and cat guard installed RCI Metalworks Full Skid Plate Package Skid plates have been a vital part of chassis protection on offroad vehicles. These metal panels are designed to take a beating while...

5thgenrams.com

That’s on a rebel. I believe he has a regular trim, the rebel skid goes a little further back so it fills the gap or am I missing something with this filler plate? I don’t see one

 

[boogielander]

oh snap i looked wrong lol sorry i'm still adjusting my jetlag and not functioning at 100%

i guess the rebel bumper folds back more than regular bumpers. Can you take a pic of the bottom of your bumper? Let me see if i can help you

 

[Eltaco]

I was hoping it went all the way up to the front bumper. Gap looks huge still, Can you post a pic from a little further away

I would say that I was also surprised it didn’t go further forward, but seeing pictures above of the Rebel I can understand why they cut it short to fit all models.

Mine is a Laramie, and there’s about 6.5” between front of plate and bumper at the middle without the front air dam installed on my truck. When I put the air dam back on, there is no gap between the bumper and skid plate.

It all depends on how you want to run it. If you want to keep your front air dam, there will be no gap on a Laramie bumper.

Without air dam:

With front air dam installed:

 

[boogielander]

I would say that I was also surprised it didn’t go further forward, but seeing pictures above of the Rebel I can understand why they cut it short to fit all models.

Mine is a Laramie, and there’s about 6.5” between front of plate and bumper at the middle without the front air dam installed on my truck. When I put the air dam back on, there is no gap between the bumper and skid plate.

It all depends on how you want to run it. If you want to keep your front air dam, there will be no gap on a Laramie bumper.

Without air dam:

With front air dam installed:

that confirmed my suspicion lol

side note: I've emailed RCI and included my writeups and this thread to invite them to be on the forum to answer questions and engage with community members. hopefully they join in!

 

[theblet]

I would say that I was also surprised it didn’t go further forward, but seeing pictures above of the Rebel I can understand why they cut it short to fit all models.

Mine is a Laramie, and there’s about 6.5” between front of plate and bumper at the middle without the front air dam installed on my truck. When I put the air dam back on, there is no gap between the bumper and skid plate.

It all depends on how you want to run it. If you want to keep your front air dam, there will be no gap on a Laramie bumper.

Without air dam:

With front air dam installed:

That kind of sucks for people who don’t want to run the air dam.

 

[Bt10]

That kind of sucks for people who don’t want to run the air dam.

Altho, that is significantly more coverage than no OEM plate.

 

[theblet]

Altho, that is significantly more coverage than no OEM plate.

Definitely better than nothing.

 

[Eltaco]

Significantly better than nothing. There isn’t much within that 6” span that I’m worried about protecting, and it would be pretty miraculous for foreign debris to bounce into that void perfectly and make it back to the engine.

Without this skid plate, that gap to the engine is huge and definitely concerning for me.

I’d still prefer the skid plate went further forward just to fill the void, but if it causes fitment issues with other bumpers such as the Rebel I completely understand it. Even in its current form I suggest it’s the best option available on the market today. I’d buy it again in a heartbeat.

 

[36Degrees_North]

I am just finishing up my design drawings and bend profile for a front diff skid will start working on the bumper to diff skid next. I dont like the large open area of the RCI if you are not running the air dam and a stock bumper. For me whats the point of adding real skid plates then leaving the fixed and active are dams in place. Even on mild trails I just about tore off the fixed air dam.

 

[deepc6]

For those looking for skid plates I just installed my RCI Metalworks full skid.

RCI is one of the brands that I have positive past experience with and trust. I've dragged my previous rig equipped with RCI skid through rocks multiple times and they held well. I've had customers that do Jeep things with their Toyotas and Lexus and their RCI skids passed the tests.

You can read the full overview, installation tips and tricks, and review here: RCI Metalworks Skid Plates: Engine, Tranny (and cat shield), T-Case Overview, Install, and Review

RCI's skids are compatible with ALL trim levels and ALL engine options except TRX (I think TRX is different). Also Included a front filler piece that goes between the first crossmember and bumper.
View attachment 167942

Is there access to drain the oil and filter or do you need to remove one of the plates?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[boogielander]

Is there access to drain the oil and filter or do you need to remove one of the plates?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

there is access to drain oil and filter.

but if you install it correctly the skids are all stacked on each other, making removal of the plate a breeze.

			t-case skid
		tranny skid
	engine skid
filler plate

like that. the end of engine skid sits below the tranny skid, so to remove just unbolt the bolts that hold the tranny skid and the engine skid and loosen the bolts holding engine skid and filler plate. slightly and slide the engine skid out.
whole process shouldn't take you more than 30 seconds.

 

[TelkaKit]

I was surprised to find out too, I had to buy it myself. I can't find that exact link right now but somewhere -somewhere on the 2015 f250 delete kit . Somewhere i searched there and found it. I like this site in general because there is a lot of different stuff and you can match it to any model