CAT protection - Aluminum or Steel? Rigid or Flex?

My husband and I just bought a 2019 SR5 Premium and are looking to install some type of Cat shield to deter thieves. Went to a off-road 4x4 shop to see if they carried any. Unfortunately, they did not but were helpful and had some interesting suggestions.

We were thinking we would want a steel shield due to the hardness and the thicker the better to slow/deter a thief. However, the guy we talked to said we should really go with aluminum as the friction would cause the aluminum to melt and "gum up" a grinder or Sawzall. Additionally, he suggested that we shouldn't go with a material that was too rigid as having flex in the material would create a lot of noise if someone is attempting to cut. These seem like very valid points but completely counter to what we had been considering.

I would love to hear from forum members what you think of the advice we received or if you have another suggestion.

Thanks!

 

Howdy and welcome. I am thinking of going with one of these because it makes the most sense to me, having tried to cut cable with a sawzall (ain’t happenin!) before. lol
https://www.catstrap.net/?gclid=Cj0...6rOAMJ0vmz1J95tFN73gDKfzZlpGA-8caAkKOEALw_wcB

 

That looks like a very good option.

Thanks

 

This looks like an easy DIY installation. But I’m wondering if a thief would attempt it anyway, cut the cat pipe from the top, get foiled by the strap, then leave you with an ugly mess to repair. You would have to undo the strap and epoxy to make any welding or repairs.

 

The motion detector alarm seems like a good option.

 

I installed a full set of skids just for the cat protection. The off-road protection was a secondary consideration. The thieves will be able to cut through the 1/4" plate, but it's gonna take 'em awhile.

 

Not sure how smart the average cat thief is these days, but it seems to me that ones that look like a pain in the ass would be deterrent enough. Also, taking the time and risk of being caught to just be malicious, knowing they won’t get the cat seems kinda dumb, but nowadays who knows. You highlight the main conundrum: the best protection is the hardest for a thief to get it off your truck, but also makes it that much more of a pain in the ass when you need to take it off too. Texas just passed a law that makes it near impossible for them to sell a cat at a metal recycler, but they are still being stolen because all the II’s know how to make a quick buck, but don’t know about the law, so they are stealing them and there is nowhere to sell them unless they are shipping them back across the border or out of state.

 

I installed the CatClamp on my T4R. Catalytic Converter | Difficult | Cut | Cat Clamp
I had it installed professionally at a shop, so I can't speak for the installation. However, I did look under the vehicle while it was still on the lift and was very happy with the install. Here in the forum, some people complain about vibration / rattle from the device after the install. The solution is to have the installer use tie wraps to tie cable (s) up to make sure they don't contact the frame or heat shields and cause vibration and rattle. My T4R is quiet like the Cat Clamps were never there. I am very happy with the device.

 

The technique of wrapping the strap spirally around the pipes and cat to look more ominous would likely be a better deterrent. But yeah, any kind of maintenance or exhaust work in that area would be a real pain.

As far as the selling of stolen cats, I read somewhere that police raids have found loads of them stuffed into shipping containers bound for China. No need to sell locally.

 

Is the CatStrap product only held on with steel cable ties? What's stopping a thief from simply cutting the ties and moving the "catstrap" out of the way?

 

I provided the link to their website so that you can see the device. It bolts like a clamp upstream and downstream of the CAT, and the stranded steel cable surrounds the CAT like a bird cage. The bolts on the clamp use a tamper resistant tool for installation. The steel braided cable is routed through the clamps and the frame at various points to frustrate removal by a thief. The steel cable is ridiculously hard to saw through either with a sawzall or bolt cutters. I mentioned using tie wraps only to keep the steel cable from vibrating against heat shields or the frame of the truck. Cutting the tie wraps will not help with the theft of the Cat Clamp. Your question would be answered on their website.

 

Two different products. CatClamp as described above.
And CatStrap:
https://www.catstrap.net/

 

Uh oh... My bad. (RTFM) Thank you for straightening me out.

 

RCI makes a transmission skid plate and you are able to purchase and attach cat protection winglets to it for protecting your cats. That is what I ordered tonight. Hope it works as well as I've been reading and hearing around the web.

 

Great option if you already have cat skids. When I checked it’s 6-8 weeks for full skids

 

Looks like their lead times are back to the 1-2 week timeframes: https://rcimetalworks.com/current-lead-times/

 

Thanks .. long term I would like to get full skids. I got my cat skid in 3 days and it will hold me over until I get my skids.

 

Talon's Garage, https://www.talonsgarage.com/shop-4runner

Took me 10mins to install.

 

I got the same one. I also opted for the security bolts

 

CBI full skids in steel on ours.

 

I’ve also got the Talons Garage plate. There’s been a lot of theft at my work. I work at a big hotel, lots of cars to choose from. A security guard told me he saw a guy look under my truck, and kept walking a few weeks ago. Security ran him off. Fun times we live in. And a bonus- the edges are nice ragged sharp. If someone wants to try to wrestle it off, I guess I’ll be washing blood off it..!

 

Perfect setup for someone who does not have skids. I park outside at night sometimes it it gives me a good piece of mind

 

I looked under mine today and I have full RCI. RCI skids would still allow access to cat. I assume other skids would as well. This is why RCI now offers the cat guards for their skids.

 

It's a pretty good skid plate, I've got Talon's set up on my Tundra as well, and those plates has hit few rocks since I put on, I know steel is stronger, but with the alloy I don't have to worry too much of rust.

I kinda wish someone would make a full body skid plate like ones on SXS's, I know we got the driveshaft and whatnot, but I'd pay handsomely for something like this:

 

That looks really good. I wonder what they mean by it won’t fit modified sub frame?

My rear factory skid has two spacers due to the diff drop. Curious if that did qualifies this product.

 

Yep, key is to create impediments to slow down work. If you have a deterrent installed they will usually move on. They are looking for the quick 30 second cut. Not a challenge.

 

Full Skid plates are coming, I promise! I just sent out my first 4 runner front skid to a gentleman on this forum. The Transfer Case skid has had the first prototype made for a Tacoma, but I am rethinking a few things about it.

I really need to buy a powder coat oven.....

 

Shaun, please keep us posted, I would love something that I posted for both 4runner and the Tundra, the plate on the Tundra saved me from impaling tree trunk on a trail.

 

Read this today. More thefts daily in my area. 4Runners are easy targets :-(

 

I came across this today. Might be a fair added layer of defense for those in bad areas. https://www.fastguardalarms.com/pages/catalytic-converter-alarm