Catalytic converter anti theft

Has anyone made their own catalytic converter anti theft unit? Im thinking of using steel braided cable and muffler clamps similar to the cat clamp system. Or any other economical way of a deterrent.

 

I just keep my buddies around all the time
Smith &Wesson 9mm

 

Most people don't live in CA, so no

they don't allow WMD's like that in CA

 

Cant carry in Cali. You have to leave your truck sometimes for a period of time. Like when we go gator wrestling.

 

Anti-theft? No. I haven’t seen one.

A theft deterrent? Yes.

This guy made his own. It will only slow them down.
It will not prevent them from stealing them.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/catalytic-converter-theft.401592/

 

I spray painted mine florescent orange. Hope that will be enough for a thief to see it and think it’ll be a tough sell and move to the next one…

 

While it’s a good idea.
The guy buying it is probably as shady as the thief.

I mean, anything is worth a shot I guess?

 

Lol, best I can do for now. Maybe it’ll help, maybe the thief will get pissed and just cut it and not take it or cut and leave it…

 

I have also contemplated ways to help prevent this but I've never been able to think of anything worthwhile. I didn't even know catalytic converter theft was a thing until I visited San Diego for a weekend. First night I got there, parked at the hotel, came the next morning and started my truck and it sounded like a stock car. Haven't been back since lol. Insurance covered it though.

 

There is no anti theft anything really. If someone really wants something they will find a way. I said deterrent

 

https://getcatsecurity.com/purchase-online/ols/products/cat-security-toyota-tacoma-2005-2015-4wd

 

The above is probably the cleanest off-the-shelf version I’ve seen that would provide the most “deterrent”.

I already had a @Mobtown Offroad mid skid so I added my own wings to it to get full coverage.

 

Im skeptical about the paint thing. I mean its simple but if a thief is willing to go under your truck and cut off the cat, whats another 20 min sanding off the paint at home.

 

This is so f..ked up. I don't live/park my vehicle where this is a thing as of yet luckily

People do some shitty things for a buck. I hope that shit doesn't travel my way

 

Doesn’t the cat get hot?

 

We've got three Ford E350 vans at work and they've all had the cats stolen twice in the last 90 days. They're parked in VERY well lit parking lot, in a nice office complex, in a nice part of town, and have security cameras aimed at them. These thieves are crafty sons of &*($#&()& and had zero concerns that there were 4x cameras pointed at them.

They used the fact that the office complex is deserted on Sunday mornings and walked in from the field behind us, with their faces covered, and had the cats in their backpacks in under 5 minutes. They'll probably keep coming back until the field behind our office is developed and risk being seen from a kitchen window.

IMO: Parking indoors or in a high traffic area are the only ways to deter them.

 

Time for a stakeout, in a ghillie suit. Paintball gun to help Police ID the suspects (and for fun).

 

My local muffler shop welded 3/8" hardened steel rods to the whole length of pipe fore & aft of my cat, in 3 locations around the circumference (i.e. 120 degrees apart). A reciprocating saw will go through several blades before it finally comes off and I think that is a pretty good deterrent. Although some welding (repairs) will be required if thieves do attempt to steal it, but at least it will still be there. I've heard of some people doing the same with Rebar, although I think hardened steel would be more effective.
EDIT: Similar to this, but a welded bead the whole length of the rod, not just at the ends or in a few places:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/catalytic-converter-theft.401592/

 

I've posted this multiple times, but... This was an issue in all states ~10 years ago- including TN, where I live. TN passed a law that said that you had to show a driver's license, and the scrap place has to scan it, in order to scrap various items/metals- copper, catalytic converters, etc. While this didn't eliminate the convertor theft, it stopped the epidemic. The office building where my (now ex) wife worked, nice area, several 4WD SUVs had convertors stolen during the day- and the lot was next to a busy street. With today's cordless tools, there is only delaying it if they really want it.