Cat Converter Theft

[pluton]

Due to their blems/BFriday sale, the Talons became an affordable gamble. I say gamble because without seeing it first, I don't know if there's going to be any design choices that are "deal breakers" for my particular taste or ability to install. If I end up installing it, I'll attempt to post pictures and comments here. If I decide I don't like it, it'll be for sale in the classifieds here and at Expo/CList, L.A. area.

 

[_Ace_]

I like the Talon transmission/cat skid plate. I bought the steel version and while it's heavy installation was relatively easy.

They do include one long SAE button head bolt while the other three holding it to the frame are metric, I'll be replacing that with metric hardware from Ace the next time I remove it.

 

[ScottyC]

Mine was stolen in 2006 (2001 4Runner). Here's where those cuts were made (sorry about the flip phone pic quality).

At that time, insurance covered this (minus deductible), so I got the exhaust replaced at the dealership with a lifetime warranty for about $1600. Because of where the cuts were made, they had to replace about all of it. I actually got it replaced again due to rust in 2015, covered 100% by that warranty.

**I am trying to avoid the car being totaled. The repair will far exceed the value of my 2002 w/306k on it. What anti-theft system did you end up using, if any?

 

[giguchan]

Haahahha
Nice one

 

[giguchan]

I wonder if this nonsense is still going on? hopefully it's calmed down.

 

[giguchan]

When my Cat just failed.. I was able to order up from Toyo a factory Unit. I was told that it was the last one in the country. Yes it far exceeds the(monetary) value of my truck. but i had to have it. I watch where i park and hope for the best.

 

[Endlessblockades]

I wonder if this nonsense is still going on? hopefully it's calmed down.

From what I can tell, cat theft has chilled out a ton in my neck of the woods (SF)

 

[alumarine]

When mine was stolen I straight piped it but found the sound irritating.
I then installed an inexpensive resonator and solved that problem.

Luckily the authorities clamped down on scrap yards buying cats without photo id. No more thefts.

 

[Diezel]

I doubt it will, I had mines stolen and now I've installed Full metal skid plates on all my vehicles.

No solution is perfect, just depends on how determined a thief is.

These are the two most correct answers.

1: A front and belly skid plate, greatly if not completely restricts access to the cat.

2: If they want it bad enough, they'll take it.

I installed a BudBuilt front and belly skid plate on my 01 4Runner, and 04 Tacoma. Both are parked on the street in front of my house. They stole the cats on the Prius and Honda CRV parked right in front of our two trucks. Presuming they saw the skids plates and moved on. Took them less than 2 minutes to hit both of the other cars.

 

[alia176]

They took the cats out of my daughter's '97 SR5 few months back. She said she "knew a guy who knows a guy" who will pass her when it's time for emissions. So I welded up a straight pipe so at least it sounds less distasteful but the O2 is unhappy, which is to be expected.

When she does get a replacement cat, I'll weld up a 3/8" winch cable on the entire length of that area. You can find the how to vids on YT, and it will make it a tad harder to steal them again.

I should do something similar to the one cat that's easily accessible on my own 4th gen. The other two are attached to the exh manifolds are a biotch to access, on a good day!