Skid plate and catalytic converter protection

[5150 Runner]

I got a set of these to hopefully make it harder for them to take off the cat plate...

Toyota 4Runner & Toyota Tacoma Locking Bolts | Talons Garage

 

[bigdaddy2021]

pretty sure my 4xinnovations skids completely cover my converters. Probably more than some want to spend or install, but my 4runner's belly is completely slick from the steering rack to the transfer case/exhaust crossover. great for rough trails, but also a good theft deterrent.

I know some companies make their skids in aluminum for those that are weight-conscious.

Might help you sell the idea to your significant other if you call it a "theft-deterrant" rather than offroad skid plates.

 

[Humble Leader]

pretty sure my 4xinnovations skids completely cover my converters. Probably more than some want to spend or install, but my 4runner's belly is completely slick from the steering rack to the transfer case/exhaust crossover. great for rough trails, but also a good theft deterrent.

I know some companies make their skids in aluminum for those that are weight-conscious.

Might help you sell the idea to your significant other if you call it a "theft-deterrant" rather than offroad skid plates.

are you concerned about heat with that set up? there's no free air flow around the cats. wouldn't they overheat with hot air having no where to escape?

 

[bigdaddy2021]

are you concerned about heat with that set up? there's no free air flow around the cats. wouldn't they overheat with hot air having no where to escape?

Not necessarily for normal driving? It’s been a couple months and no issues yet.

I’ll have wait and see since we’ve only wheeled in cold weather. One good thing is that summer is too hot to wheel in our area, usually. (SoCal)

 

[repo]

Another vote for spitting in Gaia's face with a URD y-pipe. From what I understand those rear ones dont even make a difference they just help it kick in sooner on cold starts. I wouldn't worry about the front cats they are too annoying to access compared to the rears. Theives want to get it done in 30 seconds, if it looks annoying they just move to an easier vehicle. They do like to specifically target Toyota trucks and SUVs though because Toyota puts more metal in there than others for longevity and high ground clearance makes it easier.

 

[repo]

I got a set of these to hopefully make it harder for them to take off the cat plate...

Toyota 4Runner & Toyota Tacoma Locking Bolts | Talons Garage

Challenge accepted Diablo?s Thick Metal Carbide Reciprocating Blade - YouTube

 

[Bonanzajellybean]

I ended up getting one from talons garage Talons Garage | Catalytic converter protection |

Works ok, doesn't exactly line up with the transfer case and I ended up using a bolt buster to bend the transfer case crossmembers to get a more snug fit, but now I sleep better without fear of cat theft, which is rampant here

 

[RSGT40R]

is there any need to be concerned about heat dissipation with the shields? Cats operate hot, but air can move freely around it. my concern with a shield is that hot air gets trapped under the cat and in the shield and not able to escape, causing overheating

I like the RSG one because it works with my factory skids which are in good shape but there are no install instructions. I'd like to know how many hours I'm going to have to spend cleaning out 10 year old any unused bolt threads I'd need for the shield lol

It is a very easy install. We use two allen head bolts as well as two carriage bolts. The carriage bolt going through the rear cross member on the driver side can be tricky to get at but isn't too bad. This skid is a deterrent. Most catalytic converter thieves will look underneath and move on to the next one when they see this. It would take some time and tools for them to really get at the Cats. We are working on uploading instructions here this week so stay tuned!

 

[Humble Leader]

It is a very easy install. We use two allen head bolts as well as two carriage bolts. The carriage bolt going through the rear cross member on the driver side can be tricky to get at but isn't too bad. This skid is a deterrent. Most catalytic converter thieves will look underneath and move on to the next one when they see this. It would take some time and tools for them to really get at the Cats. We are working on uploading instructions here this week so stay tuned!

thanks for this. are the 4 mounting holes currently unsused or only the 2 on the crossmember? when I say unused I mean there are currently no bolts running through them currently (basically exposed threads)

 

[NautyBruiser19]

I ended up getting one from talons garage Talons Garage | Catalytic converter protection |

Works ok, doesn't exactly line up with the transfer case and I ended up using a bolt buster to bend the transfer case crossmembers to get a more snug fit, but now I sleep better without fear of cat theft, which is rampant here

I installed the Talons Garage plate as well, and I also had fitment issues. I had to widen the mounting slots with a dremel on one side of the plate to get them all lining up properly. You could clearly see they were off center. Other than that, I'm happy with its coverage and don't worry about it while it's parked.

 

[bravozero]

Barbed wire around the cat.

 

[bigdaddy2021]

are you concerned about heat with that set up? there's no free air flow around the cats. wouldn't they overheat with hot air having no where to escape?

Hey Humble Leader, thought about you when we're cruising around Anza-borrego a few weeks ago.

Weather was hovering around 95-100 degrees the weekend we were there. Spent time blasting around the desert doing 40mph, sitting idling taking pics on side trails with the A/C on full-blast, carefully wheeling the badlands in 4LO @ 5mph's or so, etc, etc.

temp sensor/temp gauge never moved and the floorboards never felt any hint of too much heat, etc.

Just wanted to give some desert heat trail testing data.

 

[bigdaddy2021]

Barbed wire around the cat.

LOL. awesome.

 

[Humble Leader]

Hey Humble Leader, thought about you when we're cruising around Anza-borrego a few weeks ago.

Weather was hovering around 95-100 degrees the weekend we were there. Spent time blasting around the desert doing 40mph, sitting idling taking pics on side trails with the A/C on full-blast, carefully wheeling the badlands in 4LO @ 5mph's or so, etc, etc.

temp sensor/temp gauge never moved and the floorboards never felt any hint of too much heat, etc.

Just wanted to give some desert heat trail testing data.

awesome thanks. I think I'm going to pick up a cat skid. if you had no issues with the heat I certainly won't up here lol

 

[AlumniCU]

Let us know how the install goes, it looks like you need to remove the transmission skid to drill some holes and install. I haven't tried, but hopefully there's an easy way to remove the transmission skid without loosening all the bolts on all the other skids.

Works great and easy install. RCI pre-drilled holes in the transmission skid.


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[Humble Leader]

It is a very easy install. We use two allen head bolts as well as two carriage bolts. The carriage bolt going through the rear cross member on the driver side can be tricky to get at but isn't too bad. This skid is a deterrent. Most catalytic converter thieves will look underneath and move on to the next one when they see this. It would take some time and tools for them to really get at the Cats. We are working on uploading instructions here this week so stay tuned!

do you have the instructions for these? I want to see if I can install this without a lift. those carriage bolts look really tricky to do from your back

 

[perryi2]

Rci cat shield

Did you have to ask rci to pre drill the holes for you on the transmission skid or did it already have them pre drilled when you got it?

 

[perryi2]

Works great and easy install. RCI pre-drilled holes in the transmission skid.


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Did you have to ask rci to pre drill the holes for you on the transmission skid or did it already have them pre drilled when you got it?

 

[mbm112]

Did you have to ask rci to pre drill the holes for you on the transmission skid or did it already have them pre drilled when you got it?

I had put in an order for a full set before these came out so they weren’t going to have the holes pre drilled. They did offer to give me a trans skids with the holes if I was willing to wait for the next batch to finish.


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[sid325]

I just installed my RCI’s, still no predrilled holes, but easy to do, took 5 minutes. Overall fit of everything was really good.