MuddyWater
New member
The CatLock 1.0: Catalytic Converter Protection!
Hello 4RNRS (3G)!
Well, paranoia finally got the best of me. The fact that I visit NorCal (most reported incidents of Cat theft next to Boston and Detroit) from time to time and because I heard last year in SoCal there WAS a big issue with it, I decided to get something to give me some piece of mind. I decided to fork over a $100 to purchase "The Catlock 1.0". I figured what's the use of spending more on the deluxe models and figured this would provide enough of a deterrent without breaking the bank. The CatLock took me about 30-45 mins to install. The longest part was tightening the 4 large breakaway bolts that hold the clamp to the cat. The second longest was threading the cable through the frame (IN/OUT) and over. I also grabbed my bolt cutter to cut off the excess thread. After all was said and done, I'm glad I purchased it. The cable itself was thicker than I anticipated, much thicker than what appears in the product picture. Also, I was concerned about the amount of tension the breakaway nuts would apply to the clamp. In the tutorial video found on YouTube, it appears they breakaway easily and was concerned that not enough tension would be applied to secure the clamp firmly in place, but fortunately that was not the case. In fact, it applied so much tension that I was worried it was going to damage my cat, but luckily it was just enough. The installation was pretty straight forward, so I didn't feel the need to do an official tutorial. By looking at the pics you can get an idea as to how I installed it. I initially was going to use the cross member located directly below the cat but was concerned that something may get caught/hooked on to the cable. Also if someone were equipped with a cable cutter, they would need to do so in an upright position thus putting the in plain site. Lastly, do to the taughtness/rigidity of the thick cable, the actual cables are pressed up against the bottom of the vehicle and do not touch the lines you see in the pictures below. Also, unlike what was instructed in the installation pamphlet, I mounted the cables diagonally from each other versus directly next to the other.
Hope this provides those of you who are paranoid about cat theft and gives you an idea about this specific product. However, keep in mind that if a thief wants something bad enough, they WILL get it, but based on the laxed attitude of my neighbors that most likely do not having any protection.., well that and the pending holidays (Desperate times call for desperate measures), I will hopefully be the last one they target.
Take care and keep 4RUNNIN!
Hello 4RNRS (3G)!
Well, paranoia finally got the best of me. The fact that I visit NorCal (most reported incidents of Cat theft next to Boston and Detroit) from time to time and because I heard last year in SoCal there WAS a big issue with it, I decided to get something to give me some piece of mind. I decided to fork over a $100 to purchase "The Catlock 1.0". I figured what's the use of spending more on the deluxe models and figured this would provide enough of a deterrent without breaking the bank. The CatLock took me about 30-45 mins to install. The longest part was tightening the 4 large breakaway bolts that hold the clamp to the cat. The second longest was threading the cable through the frame (IN/OUT) and over. I also grabbed my bolt cutter to cut off the excess thread. After all was said and done, I'm glad I purchased it. The cable itself was thicker than I anticipated, much thicker than what appears in the product picture. Also, I was concerned about the amount of tension the breakaway nuts would apply to the clamp. In the tutorial video found on YouTube, it appears they breakaway easily and was concerned that not enough tension would be applied to secure the clamp firmly in place, but fortunately that was not the case. In fact, it applied so much tension that I was worried it was going to damage my cat, but luckily it was just enough. The installation was pretty straight forward, so I didn't feel the need to do an official tutorial. By looking at the pics you can get an idea as to how I installed it. I initially was going to use the cross member located directly below the cat but was concerned that something may get caught/hooked on to the cable. Also if someone were equipped with a cable cutter, they would need to do so in an upright position thus putting the in plain site. Lastly, do to the taughtness/rigidity of the thick cable, the actual cables are pressed up against the bottom of the vehicle and do not touch the lines you see in the pictures below. Also, unlike what was instructed in the installation pamphlet, I mounted the cables diagonally from each other versus directly next to the other.
Hope this provides those of you who are paranoid about cat theft and gives you an idea about this specific product. However, keep in mind that if a thief wants something bad enough, they WILL get it, but based on the laxed attitude of my neighbors that most likely do not having any protection.., well that and the pending holidays (Desperate times call for desperate measures), I will hopefully be the last one they target.
Take care and keep 4RUNNIN!
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