Catalytic converter theft deterrent options?

I have a friend who had his converter stolen from his Tundra at 11 AM on a bright sunny day at a busy grocery store down the street (the same one I shop at). I started reading up on converter theft and now I'm nervous, especially with the price of rhodium at over $24K/oz. There are a few options that I've learned about but I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with any of them.

• Cat Security shields (apparently not compatible with my 21 Taco)
• Cat Clamp
• The Catstrap (with optional alarm)
• Do any skid plates actually cover the cats?
• What other options?

 

How is the Catstrap attached? The short video I saw made it look like it was just strapped to the exhaust and cat with small, easy to cut metal straps.

 

Has anyone had their cats on their 3rd gens stolen? I read that Toyota made it harder to steal but curious if people are still getting them stolen.

 

I read that somewhere also, but then I went out and looked under my truck. The cats are right there. Unless there's something I missing the article I read applied to something else.

 

There was a thread recently where a guy was blaming Toyota for the loud noises his Tacoma was making. In reality, one of his cats had been stolen.

 

I think this exact topic/questions were asked a few weeks ago.

I know Prius cats are stolen often, not too sure about Tacoma’s. I’d assume trucks would be targeted due to the ease of getting under them. I think someone did mention a skid plate that would provide some protection in the past thread.

The best insurance for any kind of theft is parking in a good location. More times than not, this will hold true. If someone wants something bad enough, they will will find a way. Parking close to the entrance would deter most thieves. If they have a handheld circular saw, a cable won’t make a difference and a plate will only slow them down.

 

Just get a Y pipe... it eliminates the 2 rear cats.

 

SS cable ties https://www.catstrap.net/catstrap-installation-tips

Just had one of mine stolen this week

 

Best solution?

Straight pipes!

 

Put directly under the cat

 

Curious to the average price thieves make from the sale of a cat

 

Highly depends on the car.

 

We put the cat shields on priuses and other cars where its an option

If a shield isnt available we'll weld pieces of rebar along the converter and the inlet/outlet piping where they normally cut. The rebar slows them down enough to where it usually isn't worth it

 

The way the cats are mounted on a 3rd Gen would make them hard(er) to steal then on earlier models.

Like someone else said, mainly be careful where you park. FWIW my '93 T100 has a bolt-on Cat and sits for days, sometimes weeks at a time next to a a busy street, thus far no one has bothered it.

 

This is the best solution IMO. But if only I wasn't OCD about dash MIL lights.

 

It is actually pretty easy to reach the two secondary cats. Especially if you have a lifted truck, from the looks of it, a max of 5 mins per side. The primary cats are much much more difficult to get to, no easy way to just cut them out or even stick your hand in there.

Luckily no such catalytic converter theft in my area.

 

Yah, but those AH would probably just cut your whole truck sides to get to them. Best to have your comprehensive insurance up to date

 

That and smog laws...

 

Maybe its time for the politicians to listen to what the people have to go thru to pay for the tolls they levy