Catalytic Converter Stolen

Thieves only care about one thing.

 

I mean honestly I don't see those doing much. These guys are pros. The shield wont stop them anymore than lights or cameras will. A Diablo thick steel Sawzall blade cuts through 3/16 steel like butter. A shield won't help.

 

Nothing so far is foolproof but slowing them down or discouraging them is about all we can do.

 

I dont disagree but i have yet to see a person post a pic of their destroyed shield and missing cats. These scumbags are looking to be quick they will move on to an easier target.

 

I disagree.
If there is a parking lot full of vehicles, and they see these shields under the truck, they will move on to the next vehicle.
They aren't aren't going to take the time to cut through shields to get to the exhaust.

Why do I think that?
Because when the pussies that stole my cats started cutting my exhaust pipes, the alarm went off.
That attracted attention to them in the parking lot.
My alarm went off at 12:03 PM, yep at noon, in the middle of the day.
Yes I get it, most people don't give a damn about an alarm going off (or honk honking in my case) but they would glance over to look at just by human nature.

They made 4 quick cuts, probably in and gone in under 3 minutes or less.
I know it was at least 3 minutes, the alarm resets in 1 minute and they tripped it again at 12:05.

The alarm scared them so they left the driver's side cat just hanging on the rubber hanger.
If they aren't willing to work an exhaust pipe off a rubber hanger (all they had to do was cut it), I seriously doubt they are going to cut thru shields.



Most shields only cover the front cats and leave the rears exposed.
I don't get why anyone would buy those.
Valhalla's Shields cover the front and rear, it's worth a piece of mind to have some protection other than none.
I have to park in that same parking lot, for 12 hours, 5 days a week.

I hope it doesn't happen to you..

 

Well stated!

 

Idk, If they keep your CEL from going off and the exhaust notes in check then they aren't still useful? Or maybe you mean still limiting pollutants?

 

https://apnews.com/article/politics-arizona-phoenix-theft-eac0922b2874c956720a1523f5f035d8

 

I etched the last 8 of my VIN on the cats, the shields, the tapered ends and the pipes on either end and between. Next is the yellow hi temp exhaust paint. I fully realize this is mostly useless as prevention but might help law enforcement lock someone up if caught with them.
I'm sure the next free oil change will give the wrench twisters a real chuckle. "Hey, come look what this idiot did".

 

They got me in Louisiana

 

My understanding is they don’t sell the Cat as a car part they cut it open and remove the honeycomb for the precious metals inside to sell such as platinum.

 

Sorry to see that. I'm wishing monkey pox on all of the thieving bastards.

 

You might try Talon's Garage for plates. I have a 2014 1794 4x4 Crew Cab that requires 2 plates. I ordered them April 27th and received them 3 days later $655 shipped. They are 1/4 inch aluminum so corrosion is not as much, if any, of a factor like it is on steel plates. Easy installation. There is some controversy on this forum about Talon's Garage supposedly stealing Valhalla's design. Unless someone personally knows the exact circumstances surrounding those 2 companies, they shouldn't render final judgement either way. Opinions yes, judgement no. I've been lectured already by someone who appeared to know about as much as I did but had already made up his mind not to do business with Talon's Garage. Maybe he does have proof that they are stolen designs, maybe he doesn't. He mentioned nothing factual in his post. Shaun at Talon's Garage told me he "could go on for days and days about the claims Tyler (Valhalla) makes". I have no first hand knowledge about either company and until I do, Talon's Garage should be free to conduct business as he sees fit (as should Valhalla) without being criticized by this forum. All I know for sure is that I got a quality product shipped to my house for a reasonable price and quickly. Unless I find out for a fact that he plagiarized another's designs (and it looks like to me, based on his many more available products on his website than Valhalla) that he didn't (opinion only), I will be buying his covers for my 2023 Tundra when I get it. Take this for what it's worth, I have a real thick skin and could care less about other's opinions with no facts to back them up (unless some facts make their appearance).

 

I purchased Valhalla shields a while back. I found Tyler to be responsive, honest, and humble. These are not the traits of someone who would malign or fabricate in order to make a competitor look bad.

That said, I don’t know all the circumstances, but I’d be surprised if Tyler was anything but honest.

 

I am glad they caught that asshole.

 

Not quite true.

I have watched cat thefts occur in my parking lot at work.

Speed for these criminals is essential. None of them want to increase the risk of their activity by selecting a vehicle that would increase the time it takes them to work.

Only one user on this site says that the thieves “unbolted his cat plates” and stole his cats. He did not elaborate much, so the circumstances are not known. He did say they were an early version, so likely didn’t have the added security features like security bolts and protective washers.

My truck has sat in the same lot with vehicles getting their cats stolen. Mine was by far the easier target because you can drag a piano and cold drink under my truck and still have room to work comfortably. Mine has been fine. The others have been victims.

IF your truck is the only target in a remote area, sure, a desperate thief might start cutting.

But, most vehicles now still have NO plates. They are far easier targets for theives, so they are going to get hit first.

And, no big surprise, none of the victims hit at my building have paid the extra expense to get plates. One F250 got hit a second time 3 weeks ago- same lot. My truck was out there too….

That victim is now in a rental while the truck waits for parts.

When more/all vehicles have plates, then we need to worry. Right now I believe they are the kryptonite.

 

Spot on, Brother! The plates serve as a deterrent rather than a vault.

 

I'm glad you had a good experience with Valhalla. Tyler doesn't seem like someone that would malign a competitor from your experience and I could not agree more based on what you said. I feel the same way about Shaun and Talon's Garage. It's sad though that the overall assumption in this forum (without evidence) says that Shaun is the villain here. My point is that we just don't know, or at least I don't. I wish them both well in their businesses and maybe in the future they can reconcile their differences. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

Are you running with a CEL on? What is best method to delete the cats and clear the code?

I plan on ordering OEM everything and a shield, but would like to drive the truck during the 6 month waiting period.

 

There was something here about a O2 sensor simulator that looks like an extended O2 sensor containing something that allowed the sensor to read correctly. Now this is all from memory and I can't remember what I had for dinner last night. I considered straight piping my 21 Tundra and storing my Cats in my bank safety deposit box and going that route.

 

I thought it was the scrap yards that are cutting them and extracting the metals. One way to slow this down is for states to require the scrap yards to obtain documentation from the seller that the cats were replaced. Things that should be required are a valid business license for a repair shop and work order with the vehicle info including VIN. I have emailed my state representative but I think in Texas they are more worried about what bathroom trannys use.

 

After the Deputy was shot and killed, a state rep mentioned he was drawing up a bill to do just what you stated.

 

They will just ship them off to Mexico.

 

Or Guatemala

 

or China, Vietnam, etc...

 

I had one of my catalytic converter cut off/stolen from Downtown Dallas - City parking Lot, which had cameras, and even police beat. It was a under 60 seconds job in broad daylight! Luckily they cut only unit and not all 4 units. I learnt that 2021 Tundra SR5 4x4 has 4 units. I contacted Muffler King - Kevin Witherspoon in Dallas, and got an estimate for $2,142.31. Allstate approved it after some delays, and I got it fixed. Thank God!! That roar sound was horrible, sounded like a WWII vintage piston engine aircraft. I will eventually get these unit(s) welded to the underside of the truck.

 

Did Muffler King replace it with OEM parts or after-market cats?

 

I got mine in 3 days too. The drama is their drama, not mine. I went w/ the quickest delivery, I believe both are solid products.

 

I also would have loved to support Valhalla, but the wait times reported (2mo?) were far longer than I was willing to leave my cats uncovered. Possibly losing my truck for 6mo due to cat theft doesn't work for me.
I bought a Talon and am pleased with the product.