Catalytic converter...a hot item in more ways than one..

[JerryT]

Two of my friends recently had their catalytic converters stolen off their 97 and 98 4runners a few days apart and both vehicles were parking in a descent area of town here in Vancouver. I guess the drug addicts get $50 for it. This is costing one friend close to $400 + and the hassles associated.

Any suggestions on how I can prevent this from happening to me?

I was thinking of visiting a muffler shop and having something welded on to it.

Thanks
Jerry

 

[Maxil]

I wouldn't mind finding out too, I heard one guy say he was going to weld on some extra steel to it. Any extra "Armor" and they will have to spend enough time that they would probably run away before finishing. Just wonder if they would get mad and break something else as well.

Maxil

 

[nyc4runnin]

i just bought a eastern cat EAST40353 from autopartswarehouse.com paid less than 200 shipped for it. now all i gotta do is cut off the old one and bolt the new one up. (easier said than done).

interesting part is that they have a return ups label included for retuning the old factory cat for recycling. I wonder how much they'll pay me for it. :frog:

 

[drinknmolson]

Same thing just happened to my friends daughter on her '99, she told me that it was louder than my exhaust and almost didn't want to replace it, LOL!

I was thinking about putting some razor blades out of sight but where they would have to reach their hands in to get the cat, LOL, if they want it they can bleed!

 

[jamess]

What is so special about the T4R's cat? Or are other makes and models getting their cats jacked as well?

 

[nyc4runnin]

What is so special about the T4R's cat? Or are other makes and models getting their cats jacked as well?

others are stolen too but mostly any suv since it has high ground clearance and larger cat than a regular sedan

 

[Justin727]

usually it's more Toyota converters stolen then many others. IIRC something about there being more platinum in yota verters which when scrapped you can get a higher pay out on them. Tundra guys deal with it too.

 

[mehuddles13]

They are definitely a hot item. Comcast Cable here had them cut off of all their trucks & vans one night not long ago. Personally I hate Comcast but I hate a thief even more!

 

[Maxil]

Same thing just happened to my friends daughter on her '99, she told me that it was louder than my exhaust and almost didn't want to replace it, LOL!

I was thinking about putting some razor blades out of sight but where they would have to reach their hands in to get the cat, LOL, if they want it they can bleed!

The sad truth is as the theif cuts himself in the process of stealing your cat he can sue you after.

 

[JohnsD90]

interesting part is that they have a return ups label included for retuning the old factory cat for recycling. I wonder how much they'll pay me for it. :frog:

Take it to a scrapyard, those guys u send it back to will give you a low ball price.

 

[JohnsD90]

usually it's more Toyota converters stolen then many others. IIRC something about there being more platinum in yota verters which when scrapped you can get a higher pay out on them. Tundra guys deal with it too.

They dont discriminate brands, most use platinum in there. They will steal them from anything, although they stick with the vehicles that are easy to slide under.

 

[Supra725]

another reason why I keep my 870 next to my bed..

 

[2000Black]

The sad truth is as the theif cuts himself in the process of stealing your cat he can sue you after.

hahha so true

 

[FoneRunner]

I guess its still possible to steal mine, but anybody with a budbuilt belly plate will tell you it isn't gonna be easy on them...

 

[awpsome]

there was a thread before people had cages around theirs for both protection of theives and offroading

btw im taking mines off some time soon, if anyone wants to buy shoot me a PM

 

[bgmac]

A friend of mine just had his stolen off of his 2000 4runner. Maybe there is a way to wire up the cat to the factory alarm system?

 

[collin]

mine was stolen before I bought it. The previous owner coughed up almost $1000 for parts and labor..