Stolen catalytic converter

Just wanted to let folks know my 2003 4.7 V8 was just hacked into from my gym parking lot. They got through all of the back end and part of the front but I don't think this was even the cat. There's something that looks more like it closer to the engine. Anyways, had to deal with it and it cost money and time. Tired of theft in Colorado.

By the way. What is the muffler looking thing they tried to cut under the passenger side? Thanks!

 

Also... They Probably left when I clicked the door lock but I didn't see them. They left a Milwaukee saw blade that wasn't broken. Fucking brazen SOBS.

 

That sux
Something that looks like it?...
That's your cat
So they yack your muffler too?

 

Just had the cat cut off my Tundra a few days ago in Denver and it's looking like a pile of money to fix it and then another pile of money to protect it with a skid plate for the Tundra and a 4Runner. Muffler guy said they're having a hard time keeping gas in stock for their welders to repair all the converter thefts lately.

Thanks for snipping the O2 sensor as well.

 

They just busted two dirt bags here at like 2am walking up the street with a cat in there backpack...

 

^ hope they shove the cat's they've taken up their tailpipe! ...am I right?

 

...and I hope I woke them up driving by their house with an open pipe V8 on the way to the muffler shop. That was louder than my old '72 Power Wagon with headers and cherry bombs.

 

So they left evidence meaning possible fingerprints or police tracing where the tool was purchased. Looks like you are luckier than most people who this happens to.

 

I am sorry this happened to you.

I had a friend who was worried about her cats being stolen, so I made her a skid plate that helps protect the cats.

This is on a 5th gen 4 runner.



I also have a friend who wanted one made for his 4th gen, but that one is not as nice.

 

Looks good, you got skills.

 

Thank you, I love making stuff like this. Maybe one day I will get to do it full time.

 

I am sure you will get a lot of buyers from here alone if you do.

 

Shut Up And Take My Money....HOW MUCH, please?

 

Start your Business Bud. Nice work!
Last week, they just busted 6 people in my county. At least the bonds were VERY high. It is a Felony.

 

I'm in too, that's a lovely build and follow your passion...I say that as a 20+ year IT guy who bailed and started my own business a few years ago and couldn't be happier.

 

Same. in for 1 when you start production ramp up and figure out shipping

 

you should start a biz, those are very nice! Loads of folks here would buy it

 

Let me try this in one shot.

I am ready to product and ship these.
1/4” aluminum is 300 plus 75 shipping conus.

You can message me and order on my website www.TalonsGarage.com

also, I’m hoping to add to this soon.

that is my full system for the Tundra. I just finished the front skid this weekend .

 

Sweet, just ordered one. Thanks!
Dominic

 

Thanks! We are working really hard to keep shipping turnaround under a week! Expect to see it soon!

 

Right on, it takes what it takes. Thanks for the effort.

 

outstanding...fine piece of work...congrats

 

Just installed Talon2006's cat plate on my 2021. Everything lined up perfectly, smooth install and the cat is well protected, thanks! Really impressive work, and I've never had an easier skid plate install to be honest. It's burly and there really is no way to get to the cat without an impact wrench.

One question...unless I botched something up, was supposed to re-use a few of the OEM bolts or I lost a bag (very possible in my enthusiam to get this installed), I needed to grab 4 more M40 10.9's (had a bag of 6). Not a problem regardless, and thanks again for the peace of mind as thefts around here escalate and I park on the street.

Actually another question...any chance you're working on a full skid kit? I augered the OEM gas tank skid into a boulder this weekend outside of Nederland and a little more protection for that and the transfer case would sure be nice.

 

I have always reused them bolts that mount from the cross brass to the frame. I replace the 6 bolts that mount to the transfer case cross member and the transmission cross member.

a full skid plate package is coming very soon!!

 

Hey Shaun, how's the full skid plate setup going? I did Imogene Pass a few weeks ago during the footrace over the pass and was thinking about the full kit.

 

The Police don't care enough to dust for prints on petty crimes.

Hopefully, it's a Felony for Recyclers to accept stolen goods. I know some Recyclers have Cops working inside. They need verify IDs and take Pics and Fingerprints (as a deterrent) of everyone trying to turn in Catalytic converters.

 

Probably a resonator - similar to a muffler, for noise reduction.

 

I'm sure it's the same everywhere, but here in AZ, cat theft is epidemic and it's probably going to get much worse in the next few years. Almost every department here has emergency staffing issues.

I think the other commenter who is making the skid plates has a good looking and functional product. The only other thing you can do is to inscribe/engrave a unique number on your cat (such as your DL#). At least you could prove the cat some hood rat has in his backpack is yours.

 

This ^^^ Mark your Cat with some identifying information.
Earlier this year, one of the Police Departments in the Twin Cities Metro area sent this out:

I have no idea what kind of paint was used, but perhaps scratching/engraving "Contact Police: stolen from vehicle <State> <license plate #>" would be sufficient.

 

Anything you can do to prevent a quick sawzall job would help from what I can tell. Wrapping the frame rail in barbed wire would have likely prevented the theft of my Tundra's cat. Just something to make a 20 second job turn into something that gets you a night in county would be a deterrent.