Catalytic converter theft protection?

If anyone get the Talon cat shield can you post pics of the areas it doesn't cover that Cat Security does? I can actually say that the cat security does make it eat through a couple of blades. I remember that I went through a few expensive drill bits just to make some holes bigger to put in some rivet nuts on my nieces element so I didn't have to use the regular rivets.

 

Completely agree with you. I think we have to assume the worst case scenario, that the thief is desperate enough to hack away at any installed security measures. In that case, both your option and the RCI option are running about even since both use 1/4" aluminum. That leaves design as the primary difference: which one covers more critical area, and which one is more difficult to unbolt?

Smooth integration of front-to-tranny/cat skids is a bonus, but not a huge concern for everyone in TW-land.

 

Wrap the entire system in concertino wire under tension. Just follow the blood trail back to the perp.

 

I question the need for 1/4" aluminum on these plates. They are merely a deterrent against a thief who is looking to get in/out as quickly as possible. I can't imagine, after seeing a plate, that a thief would start sawing away at it to expose the cats. I wonder if something much thinner, and less expensive, would be a good alternative?

 

There are thinner stainless steel guards out there. If you want to go for a reasonable degree of protection, these are a good bet.

I'm personally of the opinion that if something is worth doing, it's worth overdoing. I'm preparing for a motivated thief that won't shy away from cutting on a shield, so I want to make the theft experience as awful as I can. 1/4" aluminum and varied security hardware is a good start.

 

Do they work with the trd skid plate in place ?

 

The Talon’s Garage one does, likely the RCI transmission skid + cat guards too. Not sure about others.

 

I hope the miller cat ones do. I just ordered one

 

Just installed the Talon on my 2nd gen. Pretty disappointed in this. Before tightening it down, I checked the return policy to see if I could box it up and send it back. I feel this provides no deterrent other than visual, if a thief starts to crawl under and sees a shield, they may just move on, otherwise, if they have a long saw blade, it's easy to access the front of the pipe. The backside pipe has zero protection.
If someone can tell me where I'm wrong and help me feel like I didn't just waste a bunch of money and time, please by all means I'd like to be corrected.

UPDATE: Talon reached out to me and offered up a new improved wing design. I have posted some new pics further down this thread. The new wings provide great coverage and Talon told me the new wings will go out with future orders.

 

I won't saw your wrong but trying to start a cut with end of a long blade is not easy, the tip dances all over the place
an un-protected cat is gone in 30 seconds usually, so probably taking 4 or 5 times longer if the blade can actually reach all the way across the pipe

 

I'm not sure if the RCI catalytic guards offer any more coverage than the Talon's Garage product. Come to think of it, I'm not sure if any product fully encloses the cats like you're after.

 

I think cat security is the only one that does and only the 4wd have an option for thinker skids.

 

I need to update my website photos, but there are two additional winglets that will cover that area, blocking that area.

That being said, even without those pieces getting a saw in there would be pretty hard.

Here is a photo of the plate with the winglets. This is the 3rd gen version.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/welcome-to-talons-garage.743159/page-10#post-27201908

 

I think the biggest differences in how mine, and the RCI plates mount, is mine allows you to leave the braces that go from the frame to the transfer case crossmember, where with RCI you need to remove them.

 

I am sorry you feel this way, not sure if I messed an email from you or not.

IMHO, a thief, under the dark truck at night, is likely not going to even find that small gap, or try to wiggle a saw up in there.

 

I think the main idea is to slow thieves down, hoping they see the shield and move on to the next potential victim

 

I don’t believe 2nd gen trucks come with the braces you mentioned.

@Tactical_Panda has a valid point. If the shield/skid can be easily removed, it isn’t a sufficient deterrent.

 

You are correct, There is a nearly identical thread in the 3rd gen section too. I forgot to look where I was.


(Runs back to his little corner on the forum.)

 

Those braces come with 4WD Tacoma's and not 2WD, it's used to support the structure for the transfer case. This whole era of shields started out as skid plates now, because of cat thefts, shields are being made to protect them. Confusion between 4WD and 2WD shields started in the beginning with statements being made that 4WD shields can fit on 2WD. Not the case, the transmission crossmembers are different and the there is a height level difference between the trans. crossmember and front suspension. 4WD are basically flat where 2WD are offset, meaning the front suspension sits lower than the trans. crossmember. I will provide photos, Talon's shield is the last photo. Talon does sell the thickest shield, 1/4", but there are areas that thieves can get to and cut out the cats. Member Taco 14barc seems to have notice this problem. Cat Security does a better job, but their shield is only 1/8" thick. I decided to add an alarm system and put a shock sensor on the shield in the event that someone decides to cut the shield. The vibration will set off the alarm and hopefully scare them away. This idea of harming someone is validated, I would be piss off too, but you have to remember two things. The law prohibits you from outright hurting someone, unless you're defending yourself from bodily harm, and those you harm may come back later and do more damage to you, your family or your home. The money you may spend to protect your investment far outweighs the money you'll spend for repairs, finding a shop that isn't booked and what's getting harder...finding state certified cats. Probably because of the war in Ukraine or the growing level of a new virus, China has slowed or stopped their exporting.

 

This image shows my reciprocating saw with blade resting on the cat intake pipe.

UPDATE: Talon provided new wings that cover now cover the area very well, see pics further down this thread. they have updated the design so future orders get the improved wings.