Cat Shield vs Skid Plate

These thefts have been going up in my neck of the woods. I had a few questions for people that have this on their taco's.

1. Besides their obvious function will a skid plate work similar to a cat shield?
2. Looks pretty easy to install has anyone ran into issues with the install?
3. How long does the install take and do you need a special tool?
4. How much does a new Cat cost roughly if I have to replace it on a 2017 taco?

any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

1. Really depends on the type of skid plate, You will need to make sure you have full coverage and that the would be thief can't get a power tool in position to make the required cuts.

2. 1-2 hours depending on which one you get, only basic tools are required. Very easy

3. again its simple, I killed 2 IPA tall boys. So, its a 2- 3 beer job.

4. Cat guard was $350, to replace the cats is $2-4k, but usually $500 for insurance co-pay.

 

Generally, skid plates/armor don't have the side wings needed to prevent a reach-around so a hand tool can still get up there. Some have welded on tabs to prevent this on their skids.

 

Starting a new job on Monday here in Phoenix. The HR lady told me to park in back when I come in. Then she warned me, 3 people have had cats cut out of their vehicles recently. I asked about the security guard building at the entry gate...apparently there's no one in there. She said the corporate office advised this division 's employees to install cat guards. Really? WTF! So, in the meantime, I'm going to drive the Subaru. We're saving for a new house and I hate to spend money on the truck right now but, DAMN... $2-4K to replace?

Great photos BTW.
Looks like a TRD front skid(?) and your Cat Security fit nicely. I may need to consider putting one on with the option of upgrading to the TRD front plate later.

Will most cat guards work with standard and TRD front skid?
Are those "security" fasteners enough you think or, are there models where the sides are permanently attached?

 

I would ask them to pay the cost of the cat protector and the labor as well.

 

chubby chance

 

That plate is a beast. I will be ordering one in the near future. Cat thefts are on the rise here big time and as an insurance broker I know this all too well. My $500 deductible would be more than the plate itself.

 

Since you asked for suggestions, here's my two cents:
Before you buy, consider how many times you need your cats stolen to break even on your insurance deductibles over time. For me, I'd have to get cats stolen at least 4 times to break even. Then, consider the extra labor involved when you need work on your truck, and the cat shield needs to be removed for mechanics to get access. If a cat shield makes sense after those factors, have at it!

 

I had mine stollen late last year on my 2006 Taco. It was ~$1,500 to replace it and the oxygen sensor. I picked up a 2012 recently and haven't added a security measure as I've been wondering about the same skid plate additional benefits. It sucks always being worried about my truck every time I park it. The Cat Shield obviously has great coverage, but I don't care for having to drill/tap/whatever the frame. The search continues...

 

Good points of course. Thank you. I would consider ALSO the inconvenience of having your cats replaced (4X?)... driving without them to home or repair or, having it towed ($$$4X) having a ride to pick it up when it's fixed, the 4 claims on your insurance. No thanks. And, they have the added benefit of skid protection (I actually off road mine) I want anyway. Again, it's just the timing of trying to buy a house. So, just a friendly counter point.

 

Good questions, but I would say for most people the insurance deductible is $500, Insurance will not pay for it after the 2nd time. seems a $350 investment is on the cheaper side of this whole thing.

 

Wasn't aware of the D &T requirement. Are you sure?

 

I didnt, And if you search the forums most people didnt. I jsut beefed up the center front security point with a wide washer set

 

What makes you think k most people have $500 deductible? What makes you think insurance only covers one incident?

 

$500 is the sweet spot, some people will pay more for the 250 or 100 i know i did. Insurance only cover 2 instances of cat theft, but its pretty simple to find out, call your insurance company

 

I just looked...my deductible is $600.

 

Yea, 350 vs 600.. Ill take 350, a couple beers and some alone time.

 

In other words, you have no idea about the distribution of deductible amounts across the population, and YOUR insurance company only covers 2 incidents. Got it.

 

Yes dear, anything else I can help with? I see you just want to fight.

 

Reading stories like, this worries me that:

1) My truck is next (maybe?)
2) Putting a plate over the cat to protect it still won't work.

https://dfw.cbslocal.com/2022/02/08/dallas-police-catalytic-converter-thefts-quadrupled/

(Ross Gordon is Dallas resident who can vouch for that statistic all too well. “I’ve spent more in Catalytic Converters than I have in rent, in quite a while now,” he said. He’s had his converter stolen off of his car, three times in the last six months. “I want to move, I don’t know where to go, but I am spending so much money,” Gordon said. He parks his car inside his Dallas apartment complex’s gated garage and even placed a cage on his last converter, and yet, it was still stolen.

It’s a trend that the National Insurance Crime Bureau has been warning folks about for years, but has recently increased over 200% in the City of Dallas.

In 2019, DPD reported 123 Catalytic Converters were stolen. In 2020, that number rose to 655. And in 2021, the Dallas Police Department reported about 2,187 stolen.)