Catalytic converter theft protection?

it is just a deterrence. like the deadbolt on your front door, if a thief wants in bad enough that deadbolt will only slow them down a few seconds or maybe a few minutes.

 

Any concerns or things noted with temps of the secondaries with the skid in place?

 

nothing yet. I'm planning a 7000 mile road trip - guess that will test out any heat issues

 

It was in April 2021 and I paid $325 including shipping. I'm positive this has since increased due to this historic inflation going on right now....

 

One of my tenants is a mechanic at a Toyota dealership, this past week I was asking how bad the cat thefts were...he said "Every single morning, you hear them pulling up to the dealership". He confirmed several of the cats are on backorder. He also said the thieves will come up to the garage and ask the dealership if they want to buy catalytic converters "that aren't stolen".

Its bad and only getting worse.

 

Ugh, my neighbor (4runner) got hit last week!

 

I just ordered the guard from Cat Security via Amazon. I don't want to install it myself since I don't have a jack or jack-stands and don't want to buy that stuff since I'll never use it again, and because my days of crawling under my car are long past me. Hopefully my local mechanic can do the job without much fuss. I'll check back in with the results. I just spent the last three days doing research on this and getting nothing but more worried, paranoid, and depressed. As if the world isn't crazy enough, now I have to worry about this.

$168 Cat Security™ - Anti-theft Catalytic Converter Protection Shield - Made of Solid Aluminum Plate, Fits - Toyota Tacoma 2nd Gen 4WD 2005-2015

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09H3NKZPR

 

100 + school buses got hit since January.

https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/...-converters-stolen-lausd-buses-since-january/

I just got my shield. I'll replace my trans fluid and then I'll install it.

 

My local garage installed my shield from Cat Security. Unfortunately, I went there for an oil change and didn't expect (or even ask) them to install it that day. I just wanted to know if they were comfortable with doing it, and I didn't think they had the time. I appreciate their initiative, but I didn't have the hardware with me at the time, so they didn't use the security bolts provided! I have to go back next month for new tires and an inspection. I'll ask them to reinstall then. Fingers crossed this keeps my truck intact. I live a little too close to Philadelphia for comfort.

 

Bro, that PA salt is killing your frame! lol. But as someone who grew up in philly I definitely hear you on the bs!

 

ATMO, the people that buy Cat Shields and similar detterents very much understand that these devices are not theft proof, but simply a component of a layered theft prevention strategy. People that wear belts and suspenders tend to show less asscrack, but you just can't eliminate all displays of asscrack.

 

Most if not all of that rust damage comes from Massachusetts, from where I bought the truck from a friend. I believe it spent most of its time on Cape Cod where the beaches and salt air took its toll. It's been inspected by my mechanic and by Toyota, so hopefully from this point on, further damage will be very limited. I don't drive it much and I got my buddy gave me the Friends and Family discount. I almost have more equity in the truck than I do in my house -- especially in terms of percentages.

 

Your frame alone may scare off potential thieves. They may be too scared to stay under there. Seriously though, if you can get some CorrosionX HD spray, or anything similar to help protect the frame, it certainly wouldn't hurt.

 

Just wanted to share something funny.

 

I like this setup. Would love to have some info regarding the cable type and size and also the size of the muffler clamps you used. I have a 4cyl Access cab and there are not many options for securing the CC on these models.