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Catalytic Converter Anti-Theft Barrier

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by AZExplorer0112358, Jun 12, 2022.

  1. Jun 12, 2022 at 12:43 PM
    #1
    AZExplorer0112358

    AZExplorer0112358 [OP] Member

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    Ikon 3" lift. Add-a-leaf rear lift. 15" x 8" wheels with 32" x 11.5" BF Goodrich AT's. Concealed LED fog lights on custom brackets. Alpine head unit, amp, rear speakers, and Type R 12" sub in custom cabinet.
    After the theft of both catalytic converters on my 2002 Tacoma TRD a few months back, I decided to make something to hopefully prevent a repeat.
    I couldn't find anything already made for a 1st Generation, so I started with a 24" x 60" piece of expanded steel I got for free and ordered a 12' stainless hose clamp kit for $12.00.
    I used a pair of 18" bolt cutters to cut the steel and bent the sections by clamping a board to either side and using a 2-pound short sledge to bang it over a little at a time. There are probably better ways to do this, but it worked OK.
    IMG_20220611_100454.jpg
    When I was happy enough with the fit, I sprayed it with high-temp black spray paint. $8.
    I used the hose clamp kit to anchor at 6 points. I was worried about it rattling, but with everything cinched down it didn't make a sound.
    IMG_20220612_111432.jpg
    IMG_20220612_111535.jpg
    IMG_20220612_111647.jpg
    $20 in materials and about 5 total hours labor. The whole thing can be removed with a nut driver and a cordless if work needs to be done on the truck, but it will take between 5 and 10 minutes as opposed to the minute or less the original thieves spent making 3 cuts with a cordless saw. I'm hoping they just take one look and move on to easier pickings.
     
  2. Jun 12, 2022 at 1:11 PM
    #2
    v5ensx

    v5ensx CARB legal is not CALI legal

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    Good idea but highly doubt that will slow thieves down a bit from stealing your replacement cat. The hose clamp are easy to cut off with a sawzall and the expanded metal can be force down by using some leg muscle.

    My buddy welded a 3/8" steal cable from the top cat to the rear cat flange and thieves cut it off without issue. My coworker weld on some 3/8 rebar and his cat still got cut.
     
  3. Jun 12, 2022 at 3:52 PM
    #3
    Bivouac

    Bivouac Well-Known Member

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    Remains to be seen I bought the tires and wheels the rest came along
    These People are Pros in most cases your protection will add another 60 seconds. Then they might just decide to take the whole Truck

    It does look like a nice job.
     
  4. Jun 12, 2022 at 6:25 PM
    #4
    1bad2k

    1bad2k Well-Known Member

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    Good thinking and effort to be proactive, but like others said, I don't think this will even slow the thieves down much. I've seen plenty of photos where thieves have cut through re bar cages that people had welded around their cats. Just curious, are you in california?
     
  5. Jun 12, 2022 at 7:59 PM
    #5
    AZExplorer0112358

    AZExplorer0112358 [OP] Member

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    2002 Tacoma TRD Extra Cab
    Ikon 3" lift. Add-a-leaf rear lift. 15" x 8" wheels with 32" x 11.5" BF Goodrich AT's. Concealed LED fog lights on custom brackets. Alpine head unit, amp, rear speakers, and Type R 12" sub in custom cabinet.
    I live in north Phoenix, so it's not as bad as in some places.
    I know they also are passing some new laws that should help some.
    No guaranties.
     
  6. Jun 12, 2022 at 8:02 PM
    #6
    0xDEADBEEF

    0xDEADBEEF Swaying to the Symphony of Destruction

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    It might be just enough of a pain to cut to make them move to the next one. That light material can be kind of a pain to sawzall if it wiggles enough - the blade just catches and doesn’t cut.
     
    unstpible likes this.
  7. Jun 12, 2022 at 8:07 PM
    #7
    dangeroso

    dangeroso Just float along and fill your lungs

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    Sometimes any deterrent is enough. If someone is willing to go to the trouble of building a cage, what other surprises are there? Cameras, etc?
     
    unstpible and ijm01PR like this.
  8. Jun 12, 2022 at 9:07 PM
    #8
    02hilux

    02hilux What do you mean there’s no road, I’m here

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    A garage is the only guaranteed protection over night...
     
    Bivouac likes this.
  9. Jun 12, 2022 at 10:46 PM
    #9
    Five

    Five Well-Known Member

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    How about adding a conduit pipe that is filled with grounded pepper. When they cut through it, they hopefully will get a nice whiff of pepper in their eyes and noses.

    1-2-4-Electrical-Steel-EMT-Pipe-EMT-Conduit-Tubos-EMT.jpg
     
  10. Jun 12, 2022 at 10:47 PM
    #10
    Five

    Five Well-Known Member

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    My neighbor had his cat cut off while he was working out at the gym.
     
  11. Jun 12, 2022 at 11:00 PM
    #11
    02hilux

    02hilux What do you mean there’s no road, I’m here

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    Your friend work out over night at the gym?
     
  12. Jun 13, 2022 at 12:26 AM
    #12
    Five

    Five Well-Known Member

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    24-Hour-Fitness-0-Long-Beach1.jpg
     
  13. Jun 13, 2022 at 6:18 AM
    #13
    2004Taco

    2004Taco Financially Irresponsible

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    Good ole Long Beach 24 hour.
     
  14. Jun 13, 2022 at 4:38 PM
    #14
    Five

    Five Well-Known Member

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    Since it looks like you have a lot of time on your hands, how about wrapping the cage with barb wire. Can also run a random cable found in the house thru it and place an electric fence sign.

    20200113-87579_barb_wire_single_roll_002_-1.jpg
    71mP-99QJZL._SL1500_.jpg
    p_1001077025.jpg
     
  15. Jun 13, 2022 at 5:33 PM
    #15
    Wulf

    Wulf auto dismantling & hoarding disorder

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    I used to go to one in Denver that was only open 7am-9pm but they charged the same membership fee
     
  16. Jun 14, 2022 at 6:23 AM
    #16
    Jakuku Pahwheenis

    Jakuku Pahwheenis i provide useless forum contributions

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    Am I living in the cloud or something? How is everyone getting their parts stolen? Tailgates, taillights, cats... What next? Siphoning blinker fluid?
     
  17. Jun 14, 2022 at 8:30 AM
    #17
    Morden

    Morden Well-Known Member

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    Lol CAT-5 ethernet cable.
     
  18. Jun 14, 2022 at 10:44 AM
    #18
    Bivouac

    Bivouac Well-Known Member

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    Remains to be seen I bought the tires and wheels the rest came along
    it all comes down to where one lives.

    I pulled my Truck outside Got a phone call completely forgot the truck was outside running for hours.
     
  19. Jun 14, 2022 at 11:31 AM
    #19
    alexh

    alexh Well-Known Member

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    They used an angle grinder on mine, probably diamond blade. No stopping that. My wife saw them from upstairs window. They know what they are doing, the guy was on foot with the getaway car waiting half a block away. I assume so victims cannot see license plate, make of car.

    There was a story in my local paper recently where a woman had a flat tire at night, left the car parked on the side of the street. Came back the next morning to get it and there was a body under the car. A guy was stealing the cat and his jack failed crushing him.
     
    Morden and Tacomasaurus Rex like this.
  20. Jun 14, 2022 at 3:07 PM
    #20
    pulldo

    pulldo Well-Known Member

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    What a shame,,,,:cool:
     

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