Install RCI Front skid with CBI Rear skid to prevent catalytic theft
 

Catalytic converter thefts are on the rise, a number of 4R/Tacos's in my area have gotten hit... so I was thinking of added a rear transmission skid to help block them off with the added bonus of having more skid plates. Based on some research, looks like the CBI rear skid offers the most coverage in that area.

The only issue is that I already have a RCI front skid installed. Obviously it would make more sense to just install the RCI transmission skids, however they don't really has as wide a coverage under the cats as I'd like. Based on rough photographic analysis, seems like you could still saw the cats off and fit them through the gap between the skid and the frame. The other option is to buy a complete CBI set and sell the RCI front.

Anyone mix and match skids under their rig? Again, based on rough photographic analysis, seems like I could make the CBI rears work with the RCI front, but wondering if anyone has any first hand knowledge.

I mean... if they're going through the effort to cut off the cat, I cant imagine the ~4 bolts to get the skid off would be that much of a deterrent... Seems like it would just give then a skid to sell along with the cat.

Still trying to process the idea that people are going around stealing catalytic converters here...

There's a rash of it going on in the Bay Area. Buddy had his catalytic cut off his Camry a month ago. Other friend's Subaru got hit 2 months ago in the Bay. I actually think the skid is a good idea and just might deter some theft. People want to get in and get out, not screw around with underbody armor. Plus, you get some more armor. I say go for it if you're concerned.

Meth heads love Sepultura - YouTube


I CAUGHT A METH HEAD TRYING TO STEAL MY CAR & SELL IT IN FRONT OF ME - YouTube


World's Wildest Police Videos: Crazy Meth Head Steals Police Cruiser - YouTube

The Seattle area has this problem. Especially the Prius. 4 bolts could be a deterrent when thieves are carrying cordless sawzall but not common hand tools. Washington State has laws on the books to stop the buying of undocumented metals. Thieves turned to selling in the State of Oregon.

No experience with CBI, but I have mix-matched LFD and RCI skid plates. The best deterrent to catalytic converters theft is a garage. If you aren’t able to garage your rig and you think the CBI skid plate will dissuade them (assuming it’s comparable with your RCI skid) from trying to take your catalytic converters then I would try it.

My gen 2 prius cats were stolen in westwood, ca last week. Only toyota cats are CARB approved for that car. Toyota has no eta when they will be available and when they do come up they are $3k. They removed the 2 cat bolts and sawed the lower pipe. I ended up buying new 48 state cats from someone in LA and cat guard (pictured in box) for around $350. I bought new bolts and welded on 12 point ends to confound thiefs that expect the oem 14mm bolts.
I have heard toyota trucks are getting them stolen. I looked at the T4R and the uppers would be hard to unbolt. The lowers would be easy. The thiefs like the gen 2 prius because you can get both in under a minute. Our trucks would probably take 2 min each side to get both lowers. Lifted trucks like mine are even more of a target.
My wife let me order skids with thought that they could help deter theft as well. ;) I'm going to see how much more it id to drop my insuranve deductible from $500 to $0. Insurance covers these thefts. I don't know if aftermarket cats are CARB approved. I think there is some options.

Crazy.

I know when I lived in Florida air conditioners on houses and building under construction were big targets. Snatch out the condenser(?) coils and go collect that sweet, sweet copper recycling cash.

Well, crime is legal in seattle and the police won’t come when you call them and if they did they won’t arrest b/c city will release and not prosecute b/c these poor people needed to steal your cat to get meth and it’s your fault that they are poor b/c you didn’t pay enough taxes to build them a tiny house and a safe injection site. So I guess you have to fight them in your driveway but careful of meth strength.

The city of Phoenix didn’t hire police officers for 6 years after the Great Recession of 2008. In 2018, the city budget allotted for 3,125 officers, but 3 years later that number is still not reached due to higher costs just to maintain current levels. Today, our police department has 3,000 officers, far short of 4,500 needed.

The cost of 3000 officers is 40% of the total Phoenix budget. Do you think voters are now willing to increase taxes 20% to pay for more police?

It’s not enough to pay for more officers. You have to also pay for more crime labs (fingerprint analysis, forensics, etc.), expand the courts, build more prisons and provide more probation and rehabilitation services to handle a much higher crime case load. The courts are back-logged many months. Arizona’s prisons are full to capacity. Are voters willing to increase taxes an additional 40-60% to pay for all these services over and above the costs to add police officers?

So, how much are you willing to pay in higher taxes for more police, lab services, courts, jails, probation and rehabilitation? What are the budget numbers for Seattle? Similar to Phoenix? Shall we vote yes for a 80% tax increase and see how far that will go?

Honestly? I rather pay for cops, courts and prisons then all the free hand outs every year. Seattle spent over 100 million in 2020 and will continue to spend more every year. And that doesn’t include toxic waste clean up costs every time the offer free maid service to the tent cities. Guess where the money comes from for all of that? I’d rather see it go somewhere else, especially if you increase the taxes, which they do every year. You think Phoenix has cop problems? At least your city doesn’t shit on the existing ones causing them to leave (120 left in 2020, the chief was one of them) won’t hire new ones b/c get this..... the mayor defunded the police. Anyways......

That number is closer to $150 million in 2020.

Stealing catalytic converters is nothing new here (Seattle), been going on for as long as I remember. Was a big issue with Subarus in the earlier 2000’s, one of the reasons I went completely catless on my WRX.

Yeah I think i'll give it a whirl. With a $500 deductible, I'd rather spend that on a skid than a deductible for new cats. I figure most thieves are trying to saw and run, and once they see a bunch of bolts and plates that they needs to uninstall they'll pick an easier target.

The issue with 48 State legal cats are, they're not legal for California use. Some smog shops will notice it during the inspection and fail it.

Don’t buy a Prius :flypig: problem solved