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protecting my Catalytic Converters HELP

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by gibby, Sep 1, 2011.

  1. Sep 1, 2011 at 9:03 PM
    #1
    gibby

    gibby [OP] Member

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    Hey All, so i just bought my 1st Taco (2006) because my old truck was stolen, now my whole neighborhood is suffering a pack a thieves taking spare tires and Cats mostly.
    i just bought a Cat Clamp but i have 4 cat-converters, how do i protect all of them sans Shotgun and Spotlight!!!

    any ideas out there
     
  2. Sep 1, 2011 at 9:15 PM
    #2
    BAMFTACO

    BAMFTACO Another day another beer

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    Kings bruh
    You can buy a skid plate that goes under and they actually protect the cats and also there locks you can buy the only ones you gotta protect is the back two and sorry to here about your old truck
     
  3. Sep 1, 2011 at 9:38 PM
    #3
    babytruck

    babytruck Babytruck, babytruck...I've got a babytruck :)

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    Our local dealer in conjunction with the PD are joining together to have a theft protection device AND a number (I think VIN?) engraved so that if somehow it gets stolen, the recycler has to check them and report if they are turned in and by whom. That way they can contact us and the bad guy having our engraved cat on them is proof and will get these guys punished.

    No cost to us!! :) Kudos to Concord Toyota and Concord Police!

    So in other words, I would engrave your ID on them just in case as well as the clamp. Double protection but why not?
     
  4. Sep 1, 2011 at 9:45 PM
    #4
    gibby

    gibby [OP] Member

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    yeah, i was checking under a friends Off Road (nissan) and the skid plates seemed to cover the Cats, but i can't find the Tacoma equivalent on-line. any favorite sites that'd carry this??
     
  5. Sep 1, 2011 at 9:49 PM
    #5
    SurfInferno

    SurfInferno Dont be stupid, its not smart.

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    weld the bolts?
     
  6. Sep 1, 2011 at 10:20 PM
    #6
    gibby

    gibby [OP] Member

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    it's ridiculous, i think they wrap the sawz-all in thick cloth all but the blade, and within less than 1 minute they can cut the whole thing out, tail pipe and all if necessary! you'd think it'd wake the dead but they do it right in front of people's houses.
    and 2 Cat Clamps is almost 500$ and i can weld extra stuff like razor blades to a skid plate so i'm liking that idea.
     
  7. Sep 2, 2011 at 4:44 AM
    #7
    colder

    colder Well-Known Member

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    Just happened to my girl the other day. Her car was at work in the employee lot at the hospital, and two guys went around with a sawzall and cut the cats off 3 or 4 cars before someone saw them. Security chased them but they got away. Her car was left with the exhaust pipe just hanging on the ground.
     
  8. Sep 2, 2011 at 6:17 AM
    #8
    danimal92sport

    danimal92sport Well-Known Member

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    My converter was stolen on my '98 4Runner:

    P1040288_ce7823ec6bcd58dc81d66d213dd3eb26c2364ccd.jpg

    I've never used the Cat Clamp or anything similar, but why not get skid plates that also provide underbelly protection when off road?

    Dan
     
  9. Sep 2, 2011 at 7:08 AM
    #9
    buddywh1

    buddywh1 Well-Known Member

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    I thought Gen 2's cats were better protected by the way they are mounted in relation to frame members.

    My neighborhood is very low crime, but it's easy to see it getting it hacked out parking in the city or something. Being up high it's just too easy to get under.
     
  10. Sep 2, 2011 at 7:11 AM
    #10
    colder

    colder Well-Known Member

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    Hmm, if I weren't at work I'd crawl under and look.

    I wonder if there is a way to wrap it or mount something over it that would resist a saw... Good candidate for a DIY mod...
     
  11. Sep 2, 2011 at 7:48 AM
    #11
    Fodder4U

    Fodder4U Well-Known Member

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    CAT thefts are on the rise here too. Scary thing is that most of the vehicles that are being targeted are Toyota SUVs. What is the appeal? Are the Toy CATs worth more or just easier to get to?
     
  12. Sep 2, 2011 at 7:51 AM
    #12
    danimal92sport

    danimal92sport Well-Known Member

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    People will tell you it's because of the precious metal loading being higher on Toyotas, but I do not believe this. I believe it is a combination of easy access and public misconception of them being worth more money when scrapped.

    Dan
     
  13. Sep 2, 2011 at 8:29 AM
    #13
    Spitz Stang

    Spitz Stang Well-Known Member

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    OME 885 / Dakar,5100's, 265/65-16

    Try this:

    [​IMG]
     
  14. Sep 2, 2011 at 8:35 AM
    #14
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    Great idea in theory but this only works if the theives take the cats to a reputable salvage yard. My guess is they'd be unloading the cats to a salvage yard owner with greasy palms. Any reputable salvage yard would be suspicious of any one person constantly bringing in catalytic convertors that were clearly cut off a vehicle. Engraving would not be legible if they're just thrown in a scrap pile and crushed, shredded or melted down.
     
  15. Sep 2, 2011 at 8:40 AM
    #15
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    :facepalm:Of course! That's brilliant!
     
  16. Sep 2, 2011 at 10:56 AM
    #16
    Crom

    Crom Super-Deluxe Member

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    I think salvage yards are regulated and must produce paperwork for received materials. If they don't then they are subject to closure by local officials.
     
  17. Sep 2, 2011 at 11:15 AM
    #17
    maineah

    maineah Well-Known Member

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    My guess they cut them off with a chain cutter makes no noise. Engrave the cats with the vin and put a message on it saying if these are not on the truck they have been stolen. Maybe even your email address for the cops and junk yards be nice to nail a few of the bastards.
     
  18. Sep 2, 2011 at 11:19 AM
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    babytruck

    babytruck Babytruck, babytruck...I've got a babytruck :)

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    That's when you are contacted and asked if yours was stolen.

    By the way, in Concord they caught a guy with 8 cats and since they could not contact the owners to verify theft they could not press charges.
     
  19. Sep 2, 2011 at 11:20 AM
    #19
    Nicks4x4LT

    Nicks4x4LT Official Villain

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  20. Sep 2, 2011 at 9:11 PM
    #20
    gibby

    gibby [OP] Member

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    genius ideas ALL. i especially like the "2 car garage" and "pitbull" solutions! the Taco Cats are popular because of easy access (mostly). they just seized a C container of Cats out here in California going to china to be melted down. (i think most go there, no questions asked) i'd like to think they'd check for VIN #'s but i think that's just hopeful thinking in today's economy.
    as for me i'm going DIY. the full pull Skid Plate i'm finding it hard to find for a 2006 Dble Cab. so it's into the shop with benders a TIG and some steel, i'll just have to make one that's irritating enough till i can find a motion-detector-flame-thrower option.
    let me know if anyone knows where i can pick up one of THOSE.
    thanks all-
     

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