Do you need the cat converter heat shields?

Was driving when suddenly I heard a chank and something drop from my truck. Turns out I dropped a heat shield and the other one was loose. Both seemed tack welded on.

Do I need these things?

A few people told me just to take them off, but not sure if they help keep road salt of the exhaust system.

 

Those cats put out a hell of alot of heat and the shields are there for a reason. If it's a bottom one missing there's a good chance of starting a fire out wheeling...i'd get it replaced asap.

 

You're talking about the cages that are around the downstream ones? I only have one of them..pretty sure I only ever had one, no marks to suggest otherwise.

 

Looked at a friends tacoma, guess the piece that fell off was the top one. Looks like $40 for a new one and a few bucks for a clamp. Not to bad, seems worth putting it back on.

 

Ended up ordering the upper part of the shield and clamp online for $50, seems like an easy DIY fix. Just decided to try and put it back on.

 

just use tin foil