Rallitek Engine & Transmission Skid Plate Install (2019 Subaru Crosstrek)

Update (October 2020): RalliTEK actually saw this video and shared with me that they corrected the bolt issue, and offered me some dome washers ( I hope to do a quick video on those soon). Personally speaking, the fact that they reached out to a relative nobody like me on the interwebs, shared their feedback and offered some freebies shows to me that they legit care about their customers' experience. Experiences and opinions vary, but that alone will keep me shopping with them for my needs. Thanks for watching and have a good one!
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Installing engine and transmission skid plates from Rallitek on a 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Premium CVT.
Aside from some quality control issues (supplied bolts being too short, and holes slightly misaligned) I'm very happy with the install. My buddy and I had a blast putting these on and can't wait to hit the trails again to test them out.
If you like the video, please let me know and I'll try to create more. Constructive criticism is welcome too because hey, that's how we learn.
2019 Subaru Crosstrek Premium
- 1.5" LP Aventure lift kit
- 1" Rallitek raised springs
- KMC KM708 15x7 wheels
- Toyo Open Country A/T II tires (225 75 15)
- Scangauge II
- Rola roof basket
- Curt trailer hitch
- Rallitek engine and transmission skid plates
- Window tint and deflectors
- miscellaneous small mods and more to come
Parts List
- Rallitek engine & transmission skid plate (RTEK-100093 & RTEK-100094)
- www.rallitek.com/offroad-skid...

[@rallitek_official]

Hey guys, thanks for the video! Right around the time of this video, we did change the bolts out to 100mm long so no issues there anymore. About the holes needing to be opened up, that isn't an issue that we have come across either in the shop or in our emails before but we will look into it. We also have RalliTEK Dome Washers to help with the hardware hanging down as well.

[@TomtheDilettante]

Wow! Thank you for taking the time to check out and comment on my humble channel and video! I wasn't aware of the dome washers, I'll definitely have to look into that. And thank you for your feedback and sharing that we weren't just crazy that the bolts seemed a little short. In addition to these skid plates, I have a set of RalliTEK springs on my '19 Crosstrek which I've been super happy with. You've got a lot of great stuff to offer, and I'm sure I'll be shopping with you again soon. Heck, a RalliTEK blog is one of the only places I could find reliable torque specs! Thank you again for taking the time to visit!

[@rallitek_official]

@@TomtheDilettante You are welcome. We do enjoy getting constructive feedback as it allows us to grow and make any needed changes. Keep enjoying your Crosstrek and our products!

[@u2be4evr]

RalliTEK From a consumer perspective, I should not have to worry about improper bolts lengths when ordering a kit like this. Where is your QA? It is nice to see you have made changes, but given the manufacturer defect (ie bolts were too short), it would be a nice gesture if RalliTEK gave them the dome washers to compensate them for the need to purchase proper bolts-maybe they would do a video too. (PS-I don’t know this person but I observe how companies respond to their mistakes.)

[@TomtheDilettante]

@J A Miller, RalliTEK actually found me on Instagram too and in addition to noting that they corrected the bolt issue, they did in fact offer me some dome washers which I received last week. I hope to do a quick video on those soon and in fairness to RalliTEK I should have updated my video description accordingly (I'll do that next). The fact that they reached out to a relative nobody on the interwebs, shared their feedback and offered some freebies shows to me that they legit care about their customers' experience. Experiences and opinions vary, but that alone will keep me shopping with them for my needs. Thanks for watching and have a good one!

[@eurobimmer635]

Nice response, glad your company cares. I'll be looking to get your products when I pick up my outback wilderness this week.

[@jezebellymelly]

i really appreciated the part where you two just giggle and hit the plate while you're laying under the car.

[@TomtheDilettante]

Haha...glad you enjoyed that. And yeah, he's the best :)

[@thunderbird6759]

The primitive skid plate and Trans plate fit perfect on my 2019, and the hardware came correct. There is aftermarket custom bolts and nuts you can purchase for that, use hex heads and more carriage bolt shape for sliding over things without damaging it. It looks really good though.

[@Whiachy]

Just installed my plates about 30 minutes ago and watched this while doing it. Haha! Turned out pretty good, just have to add the Rallitek rear diff plate now.

[@AZdroptop]

Tom, nice job brother. Loved the slide during the intro. :)

[@TomtheDilettante]

Thanks Rick! Really appreciate you taking time out of your day to check it out!

[@subaruforester5062]

Looks good tom. I hope you message rallytek with feedback. No reason someone should have to get longer bolts THAN modify the holes because they don't line up!

[@subaruforester5062]

I now see their comment in the post below

[@TomtheDilettante]

Ha! No worries. Yeah, they actually came across my video and reached out to me. A nice gesture and despite the issue they've proven accommodating to help make things right.

[@chuffa1130]

Thanks for sharing and the heads up, that's unfortunate the bolts are wrong? and the dimensions of the spacing of the holes?, also good mention of the bolts protruding I thought about that too I could just shear right off and then you got to hanging plate

[@MacSociety]

Like church bells ringing for everyone to come to the church of crosstrek when the rocks hit the skidplate. Enjoyed your video. Made me laugh too.

[@TomtheDilettante]

LOL! Yup. GOONNNNGGG!!! And pebbles make quite a racket but it's a good peace of mind to have. I've dented this thing numerous times since installing it. Much better than puncturing an oil pan :P

[@crispbacon5806]

Maybe sorry some rubberized undercoating on the top side of the plate? Or maybe some DynoMat?

[@ironman1518.]

Thank you Tom, great video of installation!! Curious question, please? Why Rallitek vrs Primitive Racing or other skid plates? Thank you!

[@TomtheDilettante]

Thank you and thanks for watching. No particular reason. I think at the time RalliTek was a less expensive option. I have RalliTek for the engine and transmission skid plates, and Primitive Racing for the rear diff, so I'm not biased either way. Or maybe I just don't have enough experience with either to be biased ;) I did find the engineering of the Primitive Racing rear diff cover to be top notch! And I like many of their other products as well so foresee getting more of their gear in the future (money permitting).

[@bigpapacooljay3510]

Are one of the holes on the skid plate an access port for oil changes or does the skid plate need to be taken off?

[@matt.coignard]

Anyone have any issues with excess engine/cabin noise after instaling these?

[@PennsylvaniaDualSport]

I know from using metal skid plates on bikes you tend to get more engine sound reflected.. which isn’t necessarily a good thing. Notice any audible differences after install?

[@TomtheDilettante]

Can't say I've noticed any additional noise. The Crosstrek is pretty noisy anyway, and most of the noise I have today is from my roof basket (looking forward to upgrading that to something more versatile and aerodynamic). I suspect, however, that the skid plates are retaining heat and contributing to my CVT running a little on (what I believe to be) the hot side. I have a ScanGauge II that I use to monitor CVT temps and based on what I've heard from others, mine seems to run on the warm side. Thanks for watching!

[@chrisnesbit6823]

Tom, just going back to one of your ok older videos ... WRT engine cover after your hit on the trail, did you have any exhaust manifold rubbing and how did you solve that issue?

[@TomtheDilettante]

Sure did. Skid plate was bent and pressed up against the exhaust causing a rattle. Solution? BFH (Big F**** Hammer). You can check it out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aanHoJadjqxppas Hope that helps!

[@hazardouspilot]

Curious if you lose an inch or so of groumd clearance with these plates as is the case with the LP Aventure and primitive racing front skid plates. I'm considering a skid plate but do not wish to lose any ground clearance

[@hazardouspilot]

By the way it was interesting to read your thoughts on its impact on cvt temp, no mention of this in other skid plate reviews I have watched. Thanks for the video

[@TomtheDilettante]

ya know? I'm not sure. The warn bumper definitely pulled me down some, but I'm not sure about the skid plates themselves. They're easy enough to drop...maybe I can do a quick video on just this topic or fold it into a skid plate review. Yeah, I think I'll put that on my to-do list. Stay tuned :) And thanks for watching!

[@u2be4evr]

What are your thoughts on the loss of protection to the left and right side of the front end of the front skid plate?

[@TomtheDilettante]

I haven't missed it. I actually like having easier access to the underside. I get a little more dirt and what not up in there, but in general, it doesn't seem to leave me "wanting" anything there. Winter is coming and this will be my first winter without those in place so I'll let you know if I change my tune. I'll keep this in mind for general walk-around as well. Thanks for watching!

[@calebroach412]

yes i was wondering that. thinking of cutting my stock skid plate to actually remain in place to continue covering the openings not covered by the rallitek

[@nomadmav7040]

Have you had any tapping after your engine plate. Not like road debris. I installed mine 1 week ago and I noticed a tapping that isn't consistent. I looked and it has clearance across it. I can't figure out what could be hitting. I'm lifted 2" gonna mess with it again and taking it off for now.

[@TomtheDilettante]

Ya know, on my engine plate install, I had to press and bow the metal up against the mounting plates while tightening the fasteners, else they would have tightened but the plate would have been a little crooked and the fasteners not fully sandwiching the plate. I would suggest getting under it and tapping on the plate with your fist to see if you can reproduce the rattle. I've also had everything from a rock to a dropped 1/4" 10mm socket stuck on top of the plate that rattled around until I liberated them LOL. Lastly, you can make sure that the fasteners you have are not too long. I think the holes are thru (not blind) but I could be wrong. Anyway, if the fasteners are too long in a blind hole, they'll bottom out / tighten before the skid plate is fully seated. That might cause a rattle as well. Hope that helps a little. Good luck hunting it down! Strange rattles are a pet peeve of mine so I can understand if that's making your brain itch :)

[@nomadmav7040]

@@TomtheDilettante appreciate the reply. I'm on the hunt. Sadly I've done so much to this rig and installed so much that it could just be coincidence so I'm going to have to check my fittings on everything it'll be a project. just checking with you to see, because it's my newest install and when I noticed the sounds. I can say for sure nothing is left in there. And I can see gap so no contact and doesn't seem the exhaust can even move that much. I'm curious if the front arms are bumping but I don't think so. I'm hoping it has left a mark so I can focus on one area though.

[@TomtheDilettante]

@@nomadmav7040 might not be applicable in your case, but I have a video on fixing my Rallitek transmission skid plate after I smacked it with a rock. It was bowed up enough that it contacted the exhaust when the engine was under load. Engine torque would move the drive train enough to contact the plate causing a rattle. When sitting idle, it looked okay but was not. Best of luck though. I'd be curious what you find.

[@nomadmav7040]

@@TomtheDilettante I did watch that actually thank you haha. I had considered longer bolts and some washers to bring it down ever slightly but unless this is defective in production, or no one else is experiencing it. Than it's maybe something else entirely. Good times.

[@nomadmav7040]

Hope you had a great Christmas and a good new years. Ok resolved the sound issue. I feel dumb. I have semi hidden winch and a pull tab attached. Left it on. And that's what was hitting the plate at speed. Mystery resolved.

[@calebroach412]

do you think that these actually lower your ground clearance or is it about the same

[@TomtheDilettante]

To be honest, I didn't measure before and after. But, per my calibrated eye, I think it's about the same. Even if I lost a fraction of an inch, the added protection has been worth it for me. I've smacked this thing several times on rocks that jumped out of nowhere and was glad to have it :)

[@calebroach412]

@@TomtheDilettante awesome thanks bro. i have both skids that ill be installing as well. think im going to try and cut the stock skid plate w a dremel around the rallitek to keep all the gaps filled. a little more work but always worth the effort

[@Eric-es4zs]

Wonder if Rallitek is addressing any of these issues?

[@TomtheDilettante]

Don't know. In fairness I did not contact them to give them an opportunity to do anything since we were able to adapt to the challenges that presented. But, I won't be going to them for a rear gearbox cover because of this experience. I'm looking at the Primitive Racing version instead.

[@rallitek_official]

The issues were fixed shortly after.

[@eurobimmer635]

Hey bud. Tried to find you at your Instagram handle. No go. Did you change the name ?

[@TomtheDilettante]

ya know, I think I did. Sorry about that. This was an older video. You can find me at @tom_the_dilettante

[@DannyDVeteranO5]

Sheesh seems like this skid plate is a complete nightmare. 🤔 Guess I'll be choosing a different brand.

[@TomtheDilettante]

I would. It’s saved my underside several times but there’s since good competitors out there that probably have better quality control.

[@cherylmartin4050]

So looks like primitive racing maybe a better product

[@TomtheDilettante]

I’ve heard folks have been happy with primitive racing. I have their rear diff skid plate and it’s great.

[@alanlangley7246]

Nice way from keeping the methheads stealing your cat converter ,wonder if they make special bolts that takes a special socket