Underbody Protection from Rival

[TahoeGren]

I received the transfer case skid last Monday and just installed it this afternoon. It’s much better packed than the engine/transmission skid. Installation was easy, with most time spent fiddling with the insert nuts like Nadir said. The wire is just barely long enough for the cross member holes on the driver side. A couple tips: thread the bolt on and off the inserts a few times before inserting them to make it easier for the bolt to start. For the one on the chassis, I used a needle nose plier to hold the flat leads through the opposite hole. Instructions weren’t clear on this, but I also removed (temporarily) the seal that covers the hole on the other side.

Is the purpose of the additional small skid to protect fuel lines? From pictures it looks like there is a filter or something there, but perhaps it’s only for the B37.

The skid does sit quite low. Not lower than the fuel tank guard but it sits lower than the factory sliders.

 

[Nadir5]

Is the purpose of the additional small skid to protect fuel lines? From pictures it looks like there is a filter or something there, but perhaps it’s only for the B37.

I wondered the same thing. I -think- it's just there to keep a rock from hanging up on the end of the main skid plate. I

 

[Loc Nar]

The Gas Tank and Front and Lower Control Arms skid plates are now available to order. $399 for the Gas Tank skid and $199 total for both Control Arm skids, with free FedEx shipping. All expected to arrive at the RIval warehouse around 12/30/24.

 

[ECrider]

Good pricing imo from Rival. I could do with just the front control arm plates, got the back covered already via Almont.

Will wait for more choices over here.

 

[ORSO]

The Gas Tank and Front and Lower Control Arms skid plates are now available to order. $399 for the Gas Tank skid and $199 total for both Control Arm skids, with free FedEx shipping. All expected to arrive at the RIval warehouse around 12/30/24.

in Europe lower control arms skid plates are no longer available.

 

[Loc Nar]

in Europe lower control arms skid plates are no longer available.

They certainly are not a high volume manufacturer. Even in the U.S., when they open order windows they do not stay open long.

 

[parb]

Exactly. This is why I jumped in it when it became available. Been monitoring order taking for a couple of months.

 

[Walter]

What do you guys think about the RIVAL Gen2 Transfer Case Skid Plate ?
It's smaller compared to the previous generation.

 

[TahoeGren]

Looks like it sits a little bit higher, which would be an improvement vs gen 1.

 

[parb]

they didn't just notch it out? its a two piece part now?

 

[Dual Grenny Guy]

I went with the “SPP” undercarriage kit as they were the only ones willing to powder coat their parts in the Halo red color to match my frame (ordered from the factory with the red frame). I liked the Rival kit, but getting a kit already powder coated changed things for me. Pics are of someone else’s installed parts. Mine are the ones still sitting on the table in the breakfast room waiting to be installed. if anyone is interested, ordered from:

https://grenadier.parts/

send them an email asking about powder coating if that’s what you want (ask for Mr. Lars Becker, he will take care of you I promise, super nice & helpful, shout out from your Louisiana guy if you read this!). Yes it was an added expense on an already expensive kit, but hey looks great and hopefully works just as well when the Grenny finally hits the trails later this year. Don’t ask me about the price as I don’t even recall as I have spent a ton on one of my Grenny’s already!

 

[ECrider]

What do you guys think about the RIVAL Gen2 Transfer Case Skid Plate ?
It's smaller compared to the previous generation.
View attachment 7873617
View attachment 7873618

is it to fit with the now avail fuel tank skid? Can't tell by photos but looks like 1st version not compatible?

 

[Cheshire cat]

I went with the “SPP” undercarriage kit as they were the only ones willing to powder coat their parts in the Halo red color to match my frame (ordered from the factory with the red frame). I liked the Rival kit, but getting a kit already powder coated changed things for me. Pics are of someone else’s installed parts. Mine are the ones still sitting on the table in the breakfast room waiting to be installed. if anyone is interested, ordered from:

https://grenadier.parts/

send them an email asking about powder coating if that’s what you want (ask for Mr. Lars Becker, he will take care of you I promise, super nice & helpful, shout out from your Louisiana guy if you read this!). Yes it was an added expense on an already expensive kit, but hey looks great and hopefully works just as well when the Grenny finally hits the trails later this year. Don’t ask me about the price as I don’t even recall as I have spent a ton on one of my Grenny’s already! View attachment 7873696View attachment 7873697View attachment 7873698View attachment 7873699

The SPP looks like a slightly higher quality however, comes at a very high premium over the Rival product.

 

[PDX_Keith]

Has anyone reached out to Rival and discussed a forum discount code? I know they do that for other forums. @Stu_Barnes

 

[Zimm]

The SPP looks like a slightly higher quality however, comes at a very high premium over the Rival product.

What do you mean by higher quality?

 

[Zimm]

Here’s what I see.


When looking at the rival and SSP, they both use the same aluminum thickness. They both use hemmed edges for strength. The SSP chose to recess the mounting screws in the metal using fully beveled holes. That creates thin metal right at the point of greatest stress, and aluminum will tear and fatigue much more readily than steel. While flat, they created weakness. The rival units pressed in recesses for the mounting holes, actually strengthening the area around the hole by doing so. It’s not completely flat, but considering this a piece intended for damage and stress and not a countertop work surface, it's a much superior design. In addition the SSP unit kept a flat sheet design across the entire width, whereas the rival units added dimension to the sheet by pressing in elongated recesses. The depth and angles adds significant rididity to the product.

I believe the Rival is also coated. I cannot tell with the SSP.

All and all considering the engineering applied, the additional complications incorporated, the additional touches required, AND the cheaper price, the rival has quality and value. The SSP looks like mere sheet cut to fit.

 

[Cheshire cat]

Here’s what I see.


When looking at the rival and SSP, they both use the same aluminum thickness. They both use hemmed edges for strength. The SSP chose to recess the mounting screws in the metal using fully beveled holes. That creates thin metal right at the point of greatest stress, and aluminum will tear and fatigue much more readily than steel. While flat, they created weakness. The rival units pressed in recesses for the mounting holes, actually strengthening the area around the hole by doing so. It’s not completely flat, but considering this a piece intended for damage and stress and not a countertop work surface, it's a much superior design. In addition the SSP unit kept a flat sheet design across the entire width, whereas the rival units added dimension to the sheet by pressing in elongated recesses. The depth and angles adds significant rididity to the product.

I believe the Rival is also coated. I cannot tell with the SSP.

All and all considering the engineering applied, the additional complications incorporated, the additional touches required, AND the cheaper price, the rival has quality and value. The SSP looks like mere sheet cut to fit.

Hi Zimm
Thank you for pointing out the strengths of the Rival product. My views were based purely on visuals and instinct. Your post adds engineering and knowledge. I would probably take your advice over my thoughts on this one.

 

[Zimm]

Hi Zimm
Thank you for pointing out the strengths of the Rival product. My views were based purely on visuals and instinct. Your post adds engineering and knowledge. I would probably take your advice over my thoughts on this one.

To be clear, I doubt the ssp will fail in any significant way, I just think it’s more likely to deform under lighter use. The biggest weakness with either is the material. Aluminum gouges. After waiting for steel units, I bought the Rival stuff, they are sitting at a friends to be coated to match, and I may cut steel plates and fasten them to the underside. The aluminum will act as the supporting structure and the plate will take and distribute the impacts, and provide a “slippery” surface. I typically use .25 steel, but with the Al backing the ply, using .185 may be comparatively superior. I could end up with a better product than straight steel at a weight savings. I had a rough calculation of pert near 400lbs for everything. It was turning out to be sailboat ballast, and that fuel tank needs protecting. (I also am considering getting the 25g aux tank and eliminating the main tank. It sucks where it’s at. I would lose the spot for the rear winch though)

Sometimes you gotta work with what ya got.

 

[siseb]

The Rival4x4 parts are very stable. The screws are well protected.

 

[Stu_Barnes]

Has anyone reached out to Rival and discussed a forum discount code? I know they do that for other forums. @Stu_Barnes

Yes we did no they didn’t. If you’ve a code from elsewhere then I’d use that

“As our US business is different from RIVAL EU or RIVAL Australia etc, neither of us can represent whole RIVAL brand in this forum.”

This was from their top brass.

There are more and more manufacturers making underbody protection is also have a look at those. Not to hijack the thread but steel would always be my preference.