Skid Plate protection for something a little different

[kfs-4runner]

So I was talking with someone recently and they were telling me that due to a major run-up in the price of Palladium, the problem of people cutting out catalytic converter is becoming a serious problem.
I was thinking about adding skid plat to my 4Runner at some point in the not to distant future but now I am thinking I might want to add one sooner. Are there any that would make access to the catalytic converter more difficult?
It is really easy to get under a 4Runner which would seem to make them a prime target.

 

[DirtyHarry]

Are there any that would make access to the catalytic converter more difficult?

Not to my knowledge. The rear cats are mounted pretty wide on the body and most skids cover the center underbelly. I will say its kind of a ***** to remove the cats without cutting. When I mounted my URD y-pipe I ended up having to remove a couple metal "straps" to get the factory pipe out and it took some work.


Example:
Full Skid Package Deal | 10-Present 4Runner – RCI Offroad

 

[kfs-4runner]

Not to my knowledge. The rear cats are mounted pretty wide on the body and most skids cover the center underbelly. I will say its kind of a ***** to remove the cats without cutting. When I mounted my URD y-pipe I ended up having to remove a couple metal "straps" to get the factory pipe out and it took some work.


Example:
Full Skid Package Deal | 10-Present 4Runner – RCI Offroad

Actually from what I have seen they normally use some type of electric saw and cut the cat out and sell it to a recycler. They are not reselling them to customers at a muffler or repair shop for cheaper than the market price. I did not think the skid plate would be a perfect deterrent but if my vehicle is more difficult to screw with compared to the next hopefully they would pass it by. Thanks

 

[<<<<]

Cats on 5th gen are part of exhaust manifold and near the engine block. The only one you have to worry about is underneath near drive shaft and what is called "Front Pipe" by Toyota and a $719 for new part. Skid plate wont prevent some one from sawing that cat off since there is plenty of access room still. I wouldn't worry about that much. New generation cats are ceramic based and only use trace amount of $$$ catalysts platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), and rhodium (Rh). Scrap yards will pay around $100 for those but with recent surge in cat theft those yards are in law enforcement sights and will be less likely to buy from the street.