So its Friday, and I have to ask about stolen catalytic converters

I fully acknowledge catalytic converter theft happens and has been on a serious rise. Its a real problem, No doubt - Not trying to minimize it.

There are NUMEROUS cat related threads on which cat shields are best or their installation, etc.

Question for the community,
Who here has actually HAD their cats stolen from their Tacoma?
If so where?

 

definitely have be some post of people with stolen cats, maybe the search function can help?

 

Pretty sure I saw someone's post here got their 2 secondary cats stolen, I believe that happened in Houston

I once thought nobody would bother stealing 3rd gen Tacoma cats because the primary ones are tucked in deep. That's still true, I'm not sure how valuable the secondary cats are, can't imagine they are worth much.

 

my neighbors have had their's stolen, and right from in front of their homes. I decided it was cheaper and offered me peace of mind, to go ahead and get a cover for mine. I ordered mine from Talon's garage, as their's are simply bolt-on to already existing holes. No drilling required. The installation was simple, if you don't think about how awkward it is to be under the truck, and getting a crick in your neck doing it. But I pulled my truck up on the curb to give me a little more clearance, and it was really surprisingly easy to install. And although they do offer "lock bolts" at a slightly extra cost, I am glad I did not order them, because the cover actually comes with Torx Bolts which unless the thief comes with a Torx wrench, which is doubtful, they will be out of luck. I just saw a post here that said the Tacoma was the 2nd most stolen converters. I saw somewhere else, that they most thefts occur in TX and CA.

 

Haven't had mine stolen, would like to think that's because of MillerCAT shield (https://catshield.com/collections/t...-2016-2021-toyota-tacoma-3-5l-4x4-cat-shield™)

It is an issue, my neighbor works for the sheriff's office and recommended I get some protection. With the ample ground clearance and the fact that there are 4 cats on a taco, they're a tempting target.

 

I wonder if you don’t raise the body up it is a lot harder. Thoughts

 

Maybe lowered trucks will make a comeback?

 

Yes. Secondaries are the prime target on Tacos, but . . .

Given the lengths that these idiots go through to steal cats on some low cars, the Taco primaries are not that secure.

I don't want to provide too much encouragement.

 

A couple facts:

-- You can easily change the oil on a stock Taco without a jack or ramps.

-- The Prius is a high value target for cat thieves because it is so large and contains more precious metals.​

Height is not part of the equation. Just that there are cats available.

 

Our work Van had its stolen during covid, however it was sitting outside for like 6 months with a dead battery in a business park. it was only a matter of time.

 

The best theft deterrent I have come across for both the Tacoma and Prius is to have a Highway Patrol Vehicle parked ~9 feet from them every night. No problems so far.

 

I hear ya, I have a marked sheriff's vehicle right across the street from me... no issues.

 

Maybe?

 

They need to cut both ends of the cat, slicing in the middle I'm sure renders it unacceptable even to shady recycler.s
So for the primary cats, they can cut the exposed end, but the other end is just way too tucked in the engine bay.

 

Had my first Gen cat stolen a couple weeks ago, funny thing was at 240kmi I was having trouble passing emissions and planning on replacing anyway. Since threw a wire cage on it. The 3rd Gen has a miller cat.

had to pay $1100 to have a new one welded in, more of a PITA than anything

 

.,.

 

That is a pic of the down pipe's connection to the head. One cut there and one cut behind the second set scores both cats. No longitudinal cuts needed, but likely that other parts of the Taco will get damaged.


As I said in the original post, the Taco primaries are less secure than car cats that are getting hacked out.

 

I want these internals for my cat


if I will still pass smog

 

I went to my truck and verified, yeah thru the wheel well that can be accessed too.

TRD skid plate + cat shield can pretty block any attempts to cut the other end of the primary cats.

And you're right, for a naked Tacoma, there's a chance they can get all 4 cats

 

Cheers!

It is pretty freaky.

Yes. Some lower cat protection can really help. I'm slacking there as I do not know what I want to do for an actual transmission skid because of the crossover situation. The stock crossover has not been a problem when out wheeling as the exhaust flexes and it is double walled anyway. But, a large bump in a transmission skid is not desirable. Decisions!