Catalytic converter skid plates & theft deterrent

My sales guy at the dealership I buy my tundras told me that all of the tundras on the lot had the cats stolen. They cant sell any trucks until the parts come in now.

 

I used some thin nylon washers between the frame and skid plates to prevent any potential noise.

 

Do you hear any noise from the expanded metal?
I'm going to have to come up with something since the skid plate will not work with my pro comp lift.

 

do you have any photos of this before install?

also what was the bolt size you used? I’m assuming from other posts there are already thread opening in the frame?

thanks.

 

I used nut certs on the skid plate attachments, and then for the bolt that runs into the trans crossmember I just welded a nut to some flat stock and slide it into a opening on both sides of the crossmember. The other bolts are there to reinforce the attachment of the expanded to the frame I made, just incase someone really trys to yank on it.

No noise yet. I was careful to roll the edges up on the floating part of the expanded just shy of the frame rail.

For my FJ I ended up building some out of some scrap sheetmetal and leftover scraps of the expanded steel fom the tundra build. Looks ugly but the price was right, and ugly, sharp and rusty should help deter thieves.

I wanted dirt cheap and to not be to upset if some thief destroyed them. This way I can replace them for under $100 and in a couple hours.

Any steel fab or welding shop can build you a custom one.

 

This is my temporary sheet metal solution until I get some security bolts. Converter thefts have been on a rise lately, and the Desert Eagle skid plate will not work with my Pro Comp lift. Someone with a Tundra got theirs stolen at the movie theater I take my boys.

 

Looks like I have found another mod for my truck. Waiting on a bonus check from work, when it hits, I will be placing a order.

 

Cat theft has arrived in the Denver Metro. Beware peeps.

 

Any reason not to turn this into a DIY with some perforated steel or aluminum sheets of the appropriate thickness, cut to size? Perforated 0.120" steel and 0.125" aluminum sheets are fairly easy to source from a lot of different suppliers.

 

thats what I would do if I didnt already have the RCI skids. It is flat between the rear engine crossmember and the trans crossmember. So you wouldnt even need a sheetmetal brake.

Use the existing holes that rci uses for mounting points and you would be set.

 

Just got off the phone with Ken (nice guy) he says he has tons of business’s. Toyota dealers have hundreds of them on order with him around the Houston area. I’m also hearing lots of catalytic converters being stolen around Los Angeles area as well. Cheap insurance $315 shipped to help prevent this.

 

Did you just order one?

 

A dealership in Oklahoma and Georgia had the cats stolen right off of the new trucks on the lot.

 

He said he will contact me next week. He doesn’t want to take payment until he has them ready to ship.

 

Copy that. I'll call tomorrow to get on the list.

 

This is what he told me as well.

 

Does anyone know the price for the Desert Eagle plate?

 

I think its $315 shipped. He is waiting for a batch to come back from powdercoating. He said it will be a week or so due to their weather there.

 

How hard is it to unbolt the skid plate once it's on? I guess if I'm stealing cats I'd go for one without a skid plate vs with, but if I already crawled under there.....

 

It weighs about 40 lbs but will slow them down if you use anti-theft hardware.

 

On the list with ken. Does he send the anti-theft hardware or standard? Where do I purchase the anti-theft hardware. What are the threads for the anti-theft hardware. I can’t seem to find the these details for my truck. Anyone have any ideas. 2012 Tundra. Anyone installed these on a truck like mine happen to have a web link where they bought some?

 

Just got off the phone with Ken. This thread convinced me to buy. Ken is really nice and got me on the list. Price is $315 shipped and he says they should be ready to ship in about 8 to 10 days. Nice that he doesnt collect payment until they are ready to ship.

 

Standard hardware. Yeah there is alot of us on the list. It has slowed down with the weather out there. I got this link from one of the videos online but I thought I saw in another post where the hardware was different. I'll see if I can find it again.

https://www.fastenere.com/38-16-x-1...ity-machine-screws-stainless-steel-18-8-qty-5

 

Cool, thanks a lot. This link, is this the exact hardware size I would need? And idea how I can double check it will work with the treads on my particular truck? Or even need to.

 

How is he "keeping a list"? Or do we have to keep checking in with him?

 

Ken seems to be an honest guy. He actually is keeping a physical list.

 

Just seen this on the internet. Anyone try something like this? It looks like it would deal with any heat issues.

https://www.autoaccessoriesgarage.com/Exhaust/CatClamp-Catalytic-Converter-Lock/_Item/_485600001

 

I thought about it. I still think the plate would work best. Even with the plate on I don’t think heat is an issue.

 

Yep. I just spoke with him as well. He is definitely getting some orders.

 

I just got off the phone with him as well. I'm going to order security hardware this week. You have to slow thieves down as much as you can.