Catalytic converter skid plates & theft deterrent

I ordered my 1/8 bare metal steel plates from Tyler on March 31 on his website https://valhallasshields.com and pickup yesterday afternoon. I lived only 10 minutes from him so I don't have to pay for shipping. Here is what I have learned:

1. These are quality plates. The 1/8 steel sheets are more than thick enough for thief protection.
2. The design is simple but more but covers both front and back cats.
3. The installation is easy but I struggled at first because I didn't realize that the bolts were supposed to go through the frame. I will show this in the pictures below. Also, you need proper tools otherwise you will struggle for sure.
4. The bolts came with the order is more than enough. You don't really need the security screws. These bolts are tough and I think it's not easy to remove them.
5. I ordered bare metal plates but I decided to paint it with high heat paint.

 

I think I probably do what you did. 1/8" unpainted. $100 to power coat both plates a little pricey, it is on the bottom of your truck. As far as bolt security. I will tac a couple of nuts with my mig welder. If I need to get off I have a grinder and will know where they are.... Excellent review thanks

 

Got my aluminum plates installed yesterday. Stock hardware was enough for me as well. I will egt that 16 dollar bike alarm as an extra layer. My advice, read the directions Tyler has posted, read it through twice. This way you wont be loosening and refitting, or maybe I'm just a dope ! I changed the Tcase oil before install, but with a little care, the Tcase oil can be changed with plates in place very easily. Quality product , money well spent!

 

He sent me a text that mine is at powder coater now. I have the pro comp 6 inch lift so mine will mount a bit differently I suppose. CAT theft is not a problem where I live (Safford Arizona) but is when I go out of town(Tucson/Phoenix) Hopefully they will be here this weekend.

 

I am picking up your plate probably tomorrow, your long wait is almost over

 

I just noticed your plate is in the background of this picture of my headers I got last night

 

That one is mine? Awesome. Looks like I will be busy this next weekend with this install and Katskinz as well

 

That red is.

 

Oh you mean that color yours is getting powder coated?

 

New Yorks turn.....they say recyclers won't but spray painted converters. Have they ever heard of paint stripper?

https://www.wkbw.com/news/protecting-your-family/thieves-trying-to-get-hands-on-catalytic-converters

 

You could throw it in a barrel fire and it will burn it off

 

Orlando....

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cl...-rise-across-the-us-heres-why/?outputType=amp

 

Got mine (3/16 aluminum front plate) installed today, also picked up locally. This plate is pretty hefty.

Install was a bit tight in some areas but then again I didn't lift the truck to give more wiggle room.

 

ordered mine tonight 3/16" alum, front and rear, looking forward to having coverage.

 

Nice. Thanks for the pics. Im still deciding between thickness but am going with the steel.

 

I went with 1/8. It's pretty beefy.

 

Thanks. Casey ordered the thicker so I’m waiting on his feedback on the pro install since I heard the skid can be a pain

 

For those receiving bare, what coating are you using? I am thinking Rustoleum bedliner or Line-X. Rustroleum appears favorable as I can easily repair it.

 

I picked mine up yesterday. 1/8" raw carbon steel, super nice guy, explained entire install. The 1/8" front plate weight is 40lbs plus, it is almost overkill for theft protection. The 3/16" I saw is THICK. I used a 4.5" grinder with wire cup wheel to remove any light rust. Then washed with gasoline, and final wipe with paint thinner. I used rustoleum for my paint. So where does it stand. I have 50 minutes into painting so far and will apply a second coat tonight (20 minutes). I throw away the roller when done as I don't want to clean oil based paint from a roller. Cost for coating include $5 can of paint, $3 for wire cup wear, 25cents for shower, $3.00 for brush and roller lol. In summary the extra cost for powder coating is a break even, except powder coating is more robust.

My recommendation
1/8" carbon steel powder coated. If poweder coating is not available get raw carbon steel and paint. If you could not care less about money get the aluminum powder coated to a cool color, when coated it looks like steel!! The 3/16" is massive. I would have to do serious off roading to warrant that beast.

Again BS we have to do this but it is what it is. All hardware is supplied, if you want bolt on raw carbon steel and roll.

 

Lots of arrests in the news lately, maybe that will slow theft down some? lol These are on my short list.. soon.

 

I cleaned with part degreaser then acetone. Then used a self etching primer for bare metal. Then rustoleum hammered. All from Amazon, maybe 35 bucks. Get 3 cans of the primer tho, I came up a bit short.

 

Now that's one hell of a dream....

 

I got mine all painted, since i’m local I took them over to get it installed since he was out of mounting hardware. The Shields are really simple to install. It took less than 15 minutes with two people. As for paint I put two coats of self etching primer and three coats of rustolium hammered finish in gloss black, but it didn’t come out like other things I’ve painted with it before. Oh well it’s paint and will stop it from rusting.

 

I cleaned mine, primed, painted, and installed. However, during install I scratched them up a little so had to touch them up after install. I got 3/16 bare steel and now live where they brine the roads.
I would’ve liked to make them much nicer looking, but for who, theifs???

 

I talked to a detective a few weeks ago who was on a task force for it, they were tracking a guy who already had been arrested 30 times for it. I think the problem is not catching them, it is sticking them with something hard enough to get them off the streets

 

if it dont drip rust in your driveway you coating is a HUGE sucess appearance completely irrelevant. its on the bottom of you truck

 

Stupid, out of nowhere question - I wonder how much other makes (Ford, GMC, Ram, etc.) are dealing with this.

 

Valhalla,

You should send the thief a Christmas card!! LOL.

I love your business name!! I am from Viking decent, I should have shown you my "Viking hand-Dupuytren’s contracture". HPD is all but useless, Houston and surrounding going to crap kind of like Atlanta. Your shields are ROBUST!!!!! Thanks again.