Catalytic converter protection installed

Just finished installing the Millercat cat plate on my 2019 limited. Pretty straight forward install. Really happy with the quality.

 

looks great

 

Looks good!
How does this work in conjunction with the factory front skid plate?

God Bless,
David B.

 

Looks good! whats the thickness and material?

 

You need a rear plate too.

 

I'm no expert at cat theft, just been reading on this site what an issue it has been for folks, and just looked at the millercat site video.
It would seem there's really nothing from these jokers carrying a collection of "proprietary hex heads" and then matching the hex head to the manufactures plate to drop the protector shield then cut the cat. Is that correct? Not trying to troll here, just want to understand if once these things are installed are cat burglars still swiping them. Thanks.

 

The security bolts are more than just hex heads and may vary significantly. Putting that aside and let’s say a thief carries every single key bit, it’s all about speed. Thieves want to get the cats off as fast as possible without getting caught. So most will not take the time to try to match the correct key bit and then take the time to wrench the plates off. Most will just move on to the next vehicle without cat plates.

 

That’s making the assumption that the thieves want your cats in particular.

In most cases, they’re just going around trolling for cats and taking the ones that are easy targets. They aren’t looking for a project, if it takes 20 mins to get access to your cats that’s 20 minutes lost that could have been spent stealing from someone else.

 

So if you and I both buy the millercat shield your hex head most likely will be different from mine? Thanks.

 

Gotchya, didn't know that, thanks!

 

Oh, I have no idea what hardware Millercat uses. I have full front and rear cat protection from Valhalla and use Screwd security bolts.

 

Ok, I see those, cool, thanks!

 

If I really get worried I plan on filling the head of the security screws with super glue gel. Once it hardens a bit won’t fit. If I need to take the plate off for whatever reason just a little acetone will easily dissolve the super glue. Thieves are trying to get the easy option. They will just move on to the next victim.

 

3/16 aluminum

 

I thought about this too, but when I had to grind off the bolt to get it out when i sheared off the head of the security bolt while wheeling, I decided it wasnt necessary. Granted I have a specially keyed bolt from screwdsecurity that is the only place to get the key. It took so long to grind that bolt off that I realized no way anyone is going to attempt this.

 

The screws are just the standard security torx. Home Depot sells a security torx mult set for like $9. If the really want to remove it will still take them too long. They will move to the easier target.

 

The manufacturer of my plate recommended filling the torx head with black silicone, which is what I did.

 

Sounds like the cat protection plates come with the same bolts that are also sold at HomeD (where I assume one could also pick up the hex head for the drill to install/remove), so people are purchasing upgraded security bolts from screwd "just to be on the safe side", then once installed filling those in with glue (I guess if they are panhead), for an added measure of protection. Thanks.

 

As a person who is using the Screwdsecurity bolts, the silicone fill is unnecessary IMO. There is only once place to get the key. Plus, the keyed head of the bolts are so complex, i dont think you would be able to get the silicone out enough so you could actually use your key when you need to change tranny fluid and stuff. Now if you could use some stuff that would be easily removed, like some kind of substance that would run when subjected to a heat gun or soemthing, that may be soemthing I would consider.

 

I saw lots added the rock hard domes which is just another step to get in the way for the would be cat thief and since they just replace the washer I would have used anyway, I added them also.

 

If you intend to go offroad at all, i would highly suggest these. I learned my lesson the hard way lol. They are pretty cheap as well.

 

Where do you order these from?

 

there are a number of places, google bolt head protector and you will find them.

 

Did you use their 3/8 bolts?
Remember what size and how many ea sizes??
3/8-16 Button Head Screwd® Security Machine Screws (screwdsecurity.com)

Waiting to get my truck to install my Valhallas.
I have pentagon bolts, but those sockets can be bought on Amazon.

 

I bought the medium for my pentagon bolts.
I would think the small for the Screwd 3/8 bolts.

Rock Hard 4x4™ "Rock Dome" Tapered Bolt Head Protector for Skid Plate Systems - Large [RH-6000-SW-496]

Rock Hard 4x4™ "Rock Dome" Tapered Bolt Head Protector for Skid Plate Systems - Medium [RH-6000-SW-400]

Rock Hard 4x4™" Rock Dome" Tapered Bolt Head Protecter for Oil Pan Skid Plate Drain Access - Small [RH-6000-SW-388]

 

Thanks! Gonna order some for my talon plates. Looks like medium should work.

 

Med has a 1/2 hole
small has a 3/8 hole

 

Also using the security dome washers for added security.

https://barnes4wd.com/collections/bolt-head-protectors

 

These are the exact ones I bought too, and you are right, if someone decided to grind the bolts, these would add like 5 minutes of straight grinding time. I went through like 20 dremel cutoff wheels grinding just the security bolt head at an odd angle lol.