2016–2023 Tacoma Catalytic Converter Shield – Bolt-On Theft Protection by Cali Raised LED

There is a new version that is in production that creates more room. Apparently, Toyota has some variances on their exhaust systems which makes the tolerance too tight on the occasional truck. Unfortunately, mine was one of those trucks.

I'm very pleased with the communication from the CaliRaisedLed Engineering Dept and their proposed solution. I'm hoping everything works out and I'll be able to use their shields.

 

I have had mine since early December but they are still in the unopened box. My truck is either in the garage or secure parking at work so I don't worry much. I got them for security when it's left for extended periods of time at trailheads and the airport parking lot.

Thank you to all that have identified some DIY fixes while we wait for something from Cali. If I need to install before we hear back from them, which is likely, I will be ready with washers, grommets, and silicone feet.

 

That’s good news. I’d be more than happy to wait an extra week or so for my order, if that means I get a redesigned shield that doesn’t rattle.

 

Just took a look and the driver side grommet is touching the frame (photo below). I can pull it down a tad but it's pretty firm. The passenger side is also touching but not as firmly and more easily pulled away.

Although they aren't soft, the shields are somewhat pliable. Not sure now much bending them "into place" might help. There's just not enough material to pull it away from the cat on the driver side of ours, but for those that have a rattle I wonder if some trial and error tweaking might be worth a try.

Drove ours about 30 miles today, mostly over city streets with a few pot holes, rail road tracks and such. Still no noise but as mentioned earlier, the driver side shield is firmly touching the catalytic converter where the Caliraisedled logo is located. Glad it's not rattling, but not a fan of the contact.

Hope that helps!

 

Thank you for confirming your grommet is touching on both sides. I feel that it needs to in order to create stability and eliminate any shield movement/vibration.

Really glad to hear you’re having success with your shields. Here’s a pic of my shield showing where it was rubbing the cat. The shield was only on for about 40km or so.

 

Interesting. Agree that the grommet is clearly designed to contact the frame for stability. If it’s not, that’s a problem IMHO.

I’ve no idea how much movement between the cat and the shield there might be on mine. If Caliraisedled doesn’t come up with a solution soon, maybe I’ll pull it and have a look.

 

Very happy with the 2wd version.

 

Nice! Looks like it clears the cat on the passenger side by a LOT. Doesn't look like it, but I can't tell for sure, but does it touch the cat on the driver's side?

 

Plenty of clearance on the driver side, no rattle whatsoever. It’s the 2WD version so no known issues with touching with it. It’s the 4WD version have been reports of touching.

 

Painfully aware of that (see my and other's earlier posts). Glad they got it right for the 2WDs!

 

Add me to the list of a poorly fitting driver side shield. And I waited over 6 weeks for them. Love the design, the price, the fit (except for the drivers side....), etc...
Mine doesn't rattle, it's pressed into the converter so hard it shakes the damn truck when warmed up and in gear. My plan is to drop the driver side and start trimming. If I can get enough clearance by removing the logo, great. If not, I'll keep cutting, maybe have a go at it with the shop press.

 

If your in doubt I would cancel and wait. I think its a great design, but they pushed them out a bit quick because the demand hit like a freight train. They must have booked every fab shop they could find to bust them out and then once the orders were in they started hearing how they are rubbing. (my suspicion)

Thus the "2wd" version. Of which I strongly suspect will fit the 4wd, but an admittal like that would probably require recalling the 1st version of the 4wd ones. (again just my suspicion)

Granted if you dont mind tweaking them to not rub, they work well and look nice. But that variety in seam weld height and exhaust height between trucks may bite you.

 

They fab their own stuff. They don't "book" other fab shops. Just ask @Squatting Pigeon , he knows them.

I doubt 2WD versions will fit 4x4 trucks. It would make zero sense to produce 2 designs that fit both. It'd be a waste of resources.

 

Surprising. Most shops sub work out when they get too busy with what they have. But I guess when you have suckers willing to wait 7 weeks for delivery. Thats what mine took.

Yeah, no sense in making 2 versions. But if one is a failure and you want to sell it out before presenting the new version thats what youd probably do. Not saying thats the case, but there are reasons to do it that way and companies do operate that way.

Squating Pigeon, they laser cut all their own pieces? All the bending themselves? Or sub some of it out? Many dont. Decent laser cutters or water jet can be over $100k.

 

They cut and bend in house. Same for their bed racks and other fabbed stuff.

 

I got the shipping e-mail.

 

Just got mine and installed today ... the driver's side was a real pain! What the videos I watched on the install failed to mention is that there is a tubular metal bracket over the top of the exhaust pipe that makes it almost impossible to get the shield over the frame like you do on the passenger. I assume if you jack up the vehicle you can get more of an angle, but I don't have ramps etd. I had to remove the bracket bolt towards the center of the truck and loosen the bolt on the outside to get enough play slide the shield under the end. Then it was a trick to get those bolts back in and very difficult with the shield in place to tighten the outside bolt through the shield! When all is said in done I think it's a 'precision' fit in an area that I don't think really needs precision. I suspect it may be in contact with the bottom of the cat or VERY close ... again just a little more metal before the rear bend to lower it would solve that issue....but I'm not an engineer. I'll run it for a while and see how it goes .. ran up and down the highway today and didn't hear any noise / rattles. I will sleep a little better on trips where the truck is parked in hotel lots which is all that counts.

 

Had the exact same experience, even highlighted it with photos in my post last week.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...2016-2022-tacoma.784146/page-37#post-28508759

We'll see how things go!