Hey guys! I want to check into the vibration thing, and answer the timing/communication concerns here, very valid!
Per the vibration: A few years ago Chrysler changed the motor mounts on the 6.4 Hemi to a larger version and I changed the mounting on one of the engine mounts to using an in-house machined nut-plate rather than nuts. This gave more clearance away from the motor mount and made installation way easier. The plates are machined out of a high-strength steel and the threads are cold formed rather than cut, super strong component! I believe I have had one prior instance of vibration from a customer with the nut plate, and I can't remember now if it just went away for that customer, it's been a while. I'd keep an ear out for it and see if you notice anything new. It's likely that putting the truck in reverse loaded the driveline up just right to make the metal motor mount housing touch the nut plate; if that's the case it's harmless but could still be a nuisance as you noted. If you can peak inside the space between the nut plate and the motor mount and see if there's any contact mark, that would help!
Business has been slammed for a year now; what was expected to be a massive slowdown in 2020 due to the pandemic turned into the most insane period for American manufacturing in my lifetime. I've tried to get help from local manufacturers to take in certain parts, but haven't been able to find anyone local that has the time to add more work. Separately, I found that on the 2021 HD trucks, Chrysler has added some odd bracketry to the frame in the way of the motor mounts that blocks the existing mounting method of the skid plates. To rectify that I bought a 2021 Power Wagon for the shop, and the closest one that had the options I needed was in Texas. I flew out earlier this month and grabbed it, met with some friends for a day and a half in Moab on the way back, then drove it the rest of the way back to the shop! I've got 3D scans of the company Diesel done and am working on a new skid plate design that will work on both trucks with a different mounting method, and will be a lot faster to manufacture than the existing and very complex design. So yes, I admit I took a weekend during my 2,000 mile drive back
As a result I've invested more into shop equipment and another R&D vehicle, and I have stopped taking new orders of skid plates and almost all supporting-vendor items until I get caught up. I will no longer be selling any major items through backorder, except the racks which have always been built to order and will remain so for the foreseeable future. I've also temporarily limited the time I allot to communication to 1-2 periods a week; I'm going to be a little slower replying to emails and calls while I try to stay in the shop getting production out.
Thanks guys! Please don't hesitate to reach out, I might be slower getting back to you right now but I do return all calls and emails.
Marcus Dethloff