Cat Security Shield Installed

Noted, thanks

 

I’m torn on doing this. If my cat is stolen, I have insurance to cover it, but it’s a pain. If I put the shield on, what stop these assholes from damaging the truck out of anger heresy Windows, doors, and so on). That might take more to fix.

 

Well damn! ... maybe, out of anger, our vehicles WILL catch on fire!

 

So 6 bolts hold it on? I would steal your cat and your shield just for spite.

 

This seems like a good idea, but also seems like a new money grab. If someone wants your shit, they are going to take your shit. They don't sit there and take their time cutting out cats, it's quick and they will cut right through that plate.

 

when i read the thread title this is what came to mind.

for me the solution was rear cat delete. and that seems to be working atm.

 

I don’t think that’s any more of a risk then someone who has full skids, would they get pissed and vandalize the truck because it made the job of stealing them harder? I don’t think the majority of the Thieves want to hang around any longer then to get what they want. Likely they’ll move on. That’s just my thoughts.

 

I feel like they really missed an opportunity on branding...

 

Double check with your insurance that they'd cover it. A customer of mine just had theirs stolen and insurance wasn't going to cover it nor the rental car while it got fixed.

 

Just received mine late yesterday. I'll start the install when the wife gets home with the truck later this afternoon. The unit is definitely well made and very beefy. The side plates bolt into some very big and sturdy lugs that are welded on. Aside from cat protection, I see it as a great skid for the transmission pan which is hanging right there.

We've been having a large number of cat thefts in my area, fortunately none in my neighborhood that I'm aware of but they love new/newer cars for obvious reasons. I'd rather spend the $300 on this and get the added benefit of the skid than go through the pain in the ass of replacement, insurance, and being pissed off for days after getting my shit bagged by some douche. Plus, I like the kitty part.

 

I had to replace both cats on my 04 Tacoma about 5 years ago, Toyota wanted north of $3,000 for two OEM cats. Ended up getting Magnaflows instead for about $600 installed at a local exhaust shop.

OEM cats are ridiculously expensive and cost even more now than they did back then, due to cost of the materials going way up.

 

Any drilling involved in the install?

 

I've been curious exactly how much a thief gets per cat. Maybe put $10 dollar bill down there under glass,
"Please Break in Case of Thievery".

 

i live in SoCal in a decent neighborhood where i work close to home.
Both my neighbor and coworker at work got their cats chopped off the same week i got my Taco so i panic ordered and installed em 2 months ago.

YES i had to drill like 4 holes and it was PITA with a crappy drill
i just crawled under the truck without any jacks or lifts and it took forever to make the holes

 

I did. It’s covered, and it’s covered under comprehensive. I have zero deductible and I would get a rental also while it’s getting fixed.

 

Yes, 4-7/16" holes. 2 in the crossmember at the rear of the tranny between the angled supports (which are also connection points) and 2 under the forward crossmember that the TRD skid-plate is attached. The 7/16" holes each get a threadsert installed for 4 of the 5 mounting points. The 5th is a long bolt that anchors through the entire forward crossmember. It is the ONLY bolt that is not a security torx. All the rest are M8 security torx.

It's MUCH easier to put the truck on ramps. That's what I just did. With a bit of fiddle-f**ing around during the install, I got the whole process done in under an hour. The ramps are helpful to give you some maneuvering room for the drilling and install of the threadserts, otherwise your face is going to be right in your work. If you don't have a threadsert installer, they give you instructions on how to build a makeshift tool with an full thread M8 bolt, 2 M10 nuts, and 2 oversized washers. I've been installing threadserts on occasion for decades by this method so I picked up the suggested parts to do it only to find when I started, they had actually supplied all those components! I didn't catch that in the parts bag. They even supply the T50 Security Torx bit you'll need. All the hardware is very nice, stainless steel stuff. No cheap zinc plated crap. It's a class piece of design and construction.

You can just barely see it under there...



Completed install...



Prior to bolt on side plates showing threaded bosses...

 

That HAD to be fun. I thought I could do the same when I sized it up last night after receiving the unit. I quickly realized that was a NO GO once I slid under so today, I was prepared with all the essentials!

 

For anyone interested, this one doesn’t need holes to be drilled.
https://www.talonsgarage.com/product-page/3rd-gen-toyota-tacoma

 

Installed mine tonight, gives me a bit more peace of mind. Looks pretty good too.

 

It would be easier if the thieves actually were punished, but that's not happening, at least around here (SoCal). They catch these bastards red-handed and they just get a ticket and are on the street stealing shit again.