Catalytic converter anti-theft?

[DouglasVB]

With the increase in catalytic converter thefts (or is it just increased reporting?) across the country, I've been thinking about what options there are to protect cats on my vehicles. I haven't had any issues yet but folks on neighboring blocks have lost their cats recently.

There are some companies that sell metal guards to bolt or weld over your cat and I've seen some folks weld rebar around a cat to make it harder to cut out. I also saw this company https://www.catstrap.net/ that has some sort of cable system that is supposed to interfere with a saw blade (not sure how the thief can't just move the cables or cut from the opposite direction though).

Are there any other cool solutions anyone's seen?

 

[Notyourmomslx450]

Seems to be an increase.
I remember it being a thing in Houston 10 to 12 years ago...

 

[Danger Noodle]

Skid plates. Lots of skid plates.

 

[Yeti]

Time to do that mod you have always wanted:

 

[White Stripe]

Skid plates seem like a good route. As electric vehicles are becoming popular, charging cable theft is becoming a problem too. Which would leave you stranded.

 

[AlpineAccess]

Seems to come in waves, but prices are very high on them right now.

 

[Razorback_ron]

Have an 2018 Tacoma TRD 4x4, bought a trans skid plate and had some wings welded to it to deter the thieves. I know they want to get in and out and with this setup it would take away to cut through this steel. Even tacks the bolts. Not 100% but hopefully enough.

 

[rover67]

So if prices are up where would i go sell the stash i have collected?

 

[bassguyry]

So if prices are up where would i go sell the stash i have collected?

Sell 'em back to the people you stole them from in the first place. Duh.

 

[rover67]

lol, That would be an interesting business model!

i seem to have answered my own question, looks like a google search turns up a lot of recyclers

 

[aprosise]

lol, That would be an interesting business model!

i seem to have answered my own question, looks like a google search turns up a lot of recyclers

Western Aluminum in Boulder buys them. They also take your drivers license numbers and put it on a database with the Police. A couple years back they were buying them for ~$40 I believe.

 

[J1000]

Had it happen to two of my vehicles same night. They only went after the OEM cats and left the aftermarket cheapo cats for whatever that's worth. If you engrave your VIN or name or something into your cat then possibly there is a minute chance that something might happen if police find it but in all likelyhood it's on its way to China for some kids to smash up in a horribly unsafe way.

 

[Hulk]

Is this worthwhile? I would guess that the people who buy stolen catalytic converters would just ignore the sticker (or the etching).

Denver Police Department​

REGISTER TO GET ETCHED (FOR FREE)
In an effort to help combat catalytic converter thefts, your Denver Police Department is partnering with Lincoln Tech for an etching event! Etching is just one of the ways residents can help protect their vehicles from this crime and now you can have yours done for free on Friday, December 9, 2022!
Scan the code to register or visit https://tinyurl.com/twsnm5j5.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Is this worthwhile? I would guess that the people who buy stolen catalytic converters would just ignore the sticker (or the etching).

View attachment 109794

Denver Police Department​

REGISTER TO GET ETCHED (FOR FREE)
In an effort to help combat catalytic converter thefts, your Denver Police Department is partnering with Lincoln Tech for an etching event! Etching is just one of the ways residents can help protect their vehicles from this crime and now you can have yours done for free on Friday, December 9, 2022!
Scan the code to register or visit https://tinyurl.com/twsnm5j5.

Etching is probably a feel good move but it's simple, so doesn't seem like a downside either. It's not like it would be hard to remove shallow etching with a Scotchbrite or anything.

Etching Catalytic Converters: Does It Work?

Colorado is attempting a new way to deter catalytic converter thieves: chemically etched stickers.

www.ratchetandwrench.com

 

[ScaldedDog]

The "etching" will have about as much effect as the "No guns" sign at Whole Foods. If you're a thief under a car, sawzall in hand, and see that sign, are you really going to not cut it out?

Though it galled me to spend $400 on a politically created problem, I modified a Talon's Garage plate to put on my GX.

Mark

 

[rushthezeppelin]

Skid plates. Lots of skid plates.

This. I researched this a bunch and many options either don't slow down a thief or make it a massive pain to replace the cat later. Skids however deter theft and are useful for off-road and don't really get in the way of you have to replace the cat.

 

[Danger Noodle]

This. I researched this a bunch and many options either don't slow down a thief or make it a massive pain to replace the cat later. Skids however deter theft and are useful for off-road and don't really get in the way of you have to replace the cat.

I can see that. Everything that I usually build is custom enough I end up making skids that cover everything.

Much harder to find mass produced stuff to fit that bill.

 

[dan1554]

Just saw this on the youtube. Concertina wire.

 

[rushthezeppelin]

Just saw this on the youtube. Concertina wire.

View attachment 111148

Next time the theif will just come back with welding gloves...

 

[J1000]

Easter Sunday is coming up! Protect your cars this weekend. For whatever reason I've noticed that a big wave of cat thefts has happened on Easter night the last three years in a row.