Likelihood of 4th Gen V8 Cats being stolen

[SolRayz]

That's a great idea.

I can't visualize where it would mount. Does the mounting location interfere with driveshaft greasing?

I would assume so. So I slight con there. Also the aft side of the plate mounts to preexisting holes after you remove to braces that attach to a cross member under the transfer case. I'm a little apprehensive removing those as Toyota engineers wouldn't add those if they were uneccessary.

Argh.....:dammit: need a viable solution.

 

[Talon2006]

I sent a few PM's with SolRayz, and would like to enter the discussion.

I am a new start up, and feedback from customers are very important to me.
As far as the "Front Suspension Member Bracket" or the bracket that connects from the transfer case to the frame. I did make the decision to remove it after looking at a few competitors and seeing they did the same thing. In my opinion... the 1/4" aluminum between the two cross members should help strengthen the two cross members.

That being said, your concerns are still valid. My question is, if I added a bracket from the frame mounts, to the side of my skid plate to help tie the frame back it the transfer case cross member would that help your concerns?

When I was working on this skid plate, leaving those braces intact would have led to a much weaker plate.

I am open to all of your thoughts, and appreciate your feedback.

 

[SolRayz]

I sent a few PM's with SolRayz, and would like to enter the discussion.

I am a new start up, and feedback from customers are very important to me.
As far as the "Front Suspension Member Bracket" or the bracket that connects from the transfer case to the frame. I did make the decision to remove it after looking at a few competitors and seeing they did the same thing. In my opinion... the 1/4" aluminum between the two cross members should help strengthen the two cross members.

That being said, your concerns are still valid. My question is, if I added a bracket from the frame mounts, to the side of my skid plate to help tie the frame back it the transfer case cross member would that help your concerns?

When I was working on this skid plate, leaving those braces intact would have led to a much weaker plate.

I am open to all of your thoughts, and appreciate your feedback.

I've inspected under my 4runner, and I don't see why you can simply modify the skid plate for placement under those braces and then bolt on, with longer bolts, to the same attachment points on the frame. That would leave the braces intact and still allow the skid plate the same attachment points in the rear. Is this not possible?

 

[SolRayz]

Just to be clear, we are discussing removing the driver and passenger side brace circled in red?

 

[Talon2006]

I've inspected under my 4runner, and I don't see why you can simply modify the skid plate for placement under those braces and then bolt on, with longer bolts, to the same attachment points on the frame. That would leave the braces intact and still allow the skid plate the same attachment points in the rear. Is this not possible?

https://i.imgur.com/c5Y3IiB.jpeg

I know I spent 2-3 hours under the 4 runner just looking, trying to figure out the easy way to do keep those cross members for this very reason. If it was easy I would have done it that way

I feel this image shows it best. If I was to remove that potion of the skid plate for the brace to clear, I feel it would leave the Cat behind the plate pretty open for people to get too. I do not think it would be enough for them to get it out, but enough to get a saw in there and cut it up, causing lots of damage.

Also, this photo makes it look like there is a bunch more room then there really is. It is very difficult to get to the cat with a saw with this plate installed.


I also really debate how much of this brace is for reinforcement VS how much of it acts as a protector for the exhaust components above it. The transfer case cross member is beefy, and I really doubt the brace is doing a lot for it, especially when you compare it to the 1/4" Aluminum skid plate.


I am not sure about the front drive shaft grease question. i do not personally own a 4 runner. These plates were made for a lady who wanted them on her SUV, and so far she has not had any issues with them. They have been on for about 2 months now.

I know Randy has taken his 4 runner wheeling and will report back.


That being said, if there is someone in Houston with a V8 4th gen 4 runner, I would be glad to bolt one up and revisit this topic. I believe the V6 4th gens have the transfer case cross member about 4" closer to the transmission crossmember, like the 5th gens.


EDIT:

Here is a photo of the cross member. With how it slopes up to the frame, my skid would not work under it.

RCI's plate works with it because it is much more narrow, but the cats are left out in the open. My primary concern was protecting the cats, and the customer was ok with me removing that brace. After I searched around and found several other companies taking a similar approach I felt ok with it. I also could not find any posts or people having issues with this brace missing.


I hope my rationales make sense to you, but if you do not agree with them I completely understand. Your 4 runner is yours, and ultimately it is your decision on what modifications you want to do. I just hope in explaining my thought processes you can understand my perspective of it on the design and manufacturing side.

 

[Talon2006]

4th gen V8 4 Runner - Album on Imgur

The edit was not allowing me to post the photo, so I am creating a second post with it, along with the text I edited in.

4th gen V8 4 Runner - Album on Imgur

Here is a photo of the cross member. With how it slopes up to the frame, my skid would not work under it.

RCI's plate works with it because it is much more narrow, but the cats are left out in the open. My primary concern was protecting the cats, and the customer was ok with me removing that brace. After I searched around and found several other companies taking a similar approach I felt ok with it. I also could not find any posts or people having issues with this brace missing.


I hope my rationales make sense to you, but if you do not agree with them I completely understand. Your 4 runner is yours, and ultimately it is your decision on what modifications you want to do. I just hope in explaining my thought processes you can understand my perspective of it on the design and manufacturing side.

 

[Talon2006]

Just to be clear, we are discussing removing the driver and passenger side brace circled in red?

I missed this, yes you are correct. Also, I am debating if it is the angle of the photo, or if your cross member is forward of the one on the 4 runner I designed this on.

 

[Talon2006]

Just to be clear, we are discussing removing the driver and passenger side brace circled in red?

Well... I took your comments to heart, and worked on improving my design.

Let me know what you think.

 

[Jerry101]

The front end of the two smaller Cats are inaccessible to a cutting saw, and unbolting would be impossible without removing the headers. So those are irrelevant.

The larger Cat that connects to the Y-pipe is more of a concern and the most expensive to replace. It would take cutting the front pipe only and then unbolting two bolts on the rear, which in many ways is how they steal the Prius Cats.

Someone with steel fabrication abilities should consider a bolt plate that would simply deter thieves, or so slow them down significantly, where they may simply move on. I would be willing to pay top dollar for this solution if anyone is willing.

Yes, I am "eating up" this info. Thanks - Jerry101

 

[Jerry101]

will your purchase - able V8 plate also work for a 4th gen 2006 4wd V6 ?

 

[Talon2006]

A quick measurement would give me a better idea.
From the 4th gen to 5th gen plate that mount points were around 4 inches shorter. I am not sure if that is due to the generation change, or if that is a V8 to V6 change.

Essentially I would need a measurement from where the front cross member bolts to the transmission cross member, to where the transfer case braces bolt to the transfer case cross member.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Surprisingly, I haven’t heard of too many 4runners being the victim of catalytic converter theft, yet. Any vehicle that someone is easily able to slide underneath is a possible target in my mind. Also, these cat thieves seem to know which cats have more precious metals in them, making them more valuable, which is why the Prius is such a hot target right now. The Tundra is also a hot target right now for cat thieves. Not as much precious metals as a prius but they are easy to slide under and have ample room to operate a sawzall quickly to steal 4 cats in minutes. Maybe the 4runners don’t have as much precious metals compared to other vehicles?

I currently live in a sanctuary state where the police, prosecutors, and judges all seem to have an abnormally high tolerance for property crime, illegal drugs, and street gangs, which all have fueled a theft/burglary issue in this area. It wasn’t too bad when we were living in a rural area and we could keep our vehicles inside but unfortunately we have had to move to the city and can’t keep our vehicles inside now. Even though it seems thieves around here are still mostly breaking into vehicles and stealing stereos and/or other personal belongings, stealing the wheels and tires off vehicles, lightbars, or stealing the vehicle itself (I think we still lead the nation in vehicle theft, yay!), I ordered some catalytic converter plates for my tundra (which hopefully will be here any day now) from here: Valhalla’s Shield - Catalytic Converter Theft Deterrent Hopefully this prevents the cats on my tundra from disappearing.

Now, I’m looking at getting some skids that also cover the cats on my 4runners. I currently have the RCI skids on my 5th gen and they’ve held up to our off-road abuse but don’t protect the cats at all. I’m thinking of going with these CBI skids on both of my 4runners; CBI Offroad Fab - Toyota 4Runner Rear Skid Plate | 2003-2009 -. Hopefully these protect the cats enough to make the common thief move onto something else while still providing off-road protection.

 

[Dylan]

I've had two stolen over the years. One on my 2nd gen, and one on my V8. The common denominator is higher crime area and lift kits (ease of access).