Catalytic Converter Protection

Been searching the site for catalytic converter protection options for most of the night. My job isn't in the best part of town and some folks have had their cats stolen in the parking lot so I know it is a matter of time before they come back and make a go at mine. The truck is a CA model so if it does get taken I will need to replace it with a CA specific cat ($$$$$$) or else it won't pass inspection here in AZ.

The only solution I have found so far is the cat clamp or skid plates.

If I go the skid plate route it sounds like I need to get more than 1 since they seem to bolt to themselves from front to back to get the protection I need for the converter. Is that correct or does someone make a plate that will bolt up to my truck (2011 DC) and cover this area specifically.

Has anyone come across anything different lately?? Since it seems to be such a problem I would think someone would have started manufacturing something specific to combat this issue. Yes the cat clamp is specific but at around $300 I would assume someone would make something cheaper by now.
Any help is appreciated.

 

any help??

 

I've been thinking about making a skid plate to go over the cats and bolt up to each side of the frame.. Can't be that hard to weld up some square stock and some 1/8 in plate

 

Cat clamps are nice but skids at least serve another purpose other than keeping your cats safe from being stolen.

 

What he said ^^^

Its up to your wallet. You can go the skid plate route and get a product that will do two things. If you dont need the skid plate(s) and only want to protect the cat, go get the cat clamps. Remember that if they want it bad enough, they will get it.

I dont think you need to get multiple skids in order for your cat to be protected. I believe there are multiple threads on here about this very topic:

(I know its a first gen but same theory applies): http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/244559-cat-anti-theft-what-my-options.html

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/244543-cat-converter-theft-protection.html

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/175294-protecting-my-catalytic-converters-help.html

 

this would probably be the cheapest route but also a better one because you could design it specifically to protect the cats

 

There is a reason that ******** is a censored company name on this site.
The owner (Tcbob) will have to explain it to you.

 

Thanks for the help, I can do a lot of things but welding and fabbing are not on the list, at least not yet. I guess I will stop by a fab shop sometime and get an idea of what to expect price wise.
Does anyone here in the Phoenix area have any experience with any fab shops that I should try??

 

I just put on a full set of Relentless Fabrication skid plates (three pieces) and they do cover the cats pretty well. I did for the off-road protection. Locally I would see Avid Off-Road in Gilbert. I have them building me a bed rack right now, and have their sliders. They make good well built stuff at very fair prices, but I dont think they do skid plates, worth asking them.