1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Catalytic Converters Theft Experience

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by FlipsTundras, Jan 1, 2023.

  1. Jan 1, 2023 at 8:06 AM
    #1
    FlipsTundras

    FlipsTundras [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2023
    Member:
    #89552
    Messages:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    Poppy's 2014 White CrewMax Limited
    Hi everyone. This is my first post here, but I have spent plenty of time reading on the site. I love this community and am very thankful for the vast amount of Tundra knowledge available here. I love my 2014 Crewmax Limited, almost as much as I did my 2002 Tundra SR5!

    I thought it would be helpful to the community if I added my catalytic converters theft experience to others' experiences on the forum.

    Both pairs of catalytic converters were stolen on 2/7/22 from my office at about 9:30 in the morning. I had 68,000 miles on the truck. The thieves were very considerate and cut the pipes on the cat sides of the flanges so I didn't have to replace the muffler. They also left the front 02 sensors. The security cameras caught the act on camera. It took the thieves about 2 minutes to steal the converters.

    IMG_8196.HEIC.jpg

    IMG_8201.HEIC.jpg

    IMG_8202.HEIC.jpg

    Like everyone else, I learned that Toyota OEM cats were unavailable due to a nationwide shortage. I considered the Walker brand bolt on cats from Rock Auto, but I felt like the next best thing to OEM would be the direct bolt in Magnaflow catalytic converters.

    I was able to find the passenger side cat at Autozone:

    https://www.autozone.com/emission-c...rect-fit-catalytic-converter-49630/937883_0_0

    I'm not sure why this part has the BX suffix - I figured it was something Autozone added to the end of the part numbers. Or maybe Mangaflow and Autozone have some kind of bulk sales agreement.

    I found the driver side cat on Amazon, sold by a company called Performance Guarantee located in Baton Rouge:

    https://www.amazon.com/MagnaFlow-49935-Catalytic-Converter-compliant/dp/B00E9M9F06

    I was a little concerned when the driver side CAT came in from Performance Guarantee and it looked different from the pictures. Both of the cats on the pipe were cylindrical shaped and there were no heat shields. I called Magnaflow and they reassured me it was their new design of catalytic converter and was not a fake. Magnaflow has excellent customer service.

    My mechanic installed both catalytic converters, two new rear Toyota O2 sensors, and cleared the code(s).

    The CEL light was off and everything worked great. I noticed the exhaust was slightly louder and had a slightly deeper note. It seems to have gotten a little louder over the last 5,000 miles. My dad has a ’21 Tundra and he also noticed that my truck has a deeper exhaust note than his. The sound doesn't bother me - I actually like it.

    I then ordered the Cat Security Cat Shield and installed. This was much more difficult than I expected. I damaged a couple of the rivet nuts provided while trying to install. Cat Security sent me new hardware at no charge. They also have excellent customer service.

    IMG_8861.HEIC.jpg

    IMG_8862.HEIC.jpg

    A couple of weeks ago, 10 months and 5,000 miles later, the CEL came on. I brought it back to the mechanic and he confirmed the code is P0430, “Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 2” - the passenger side cat has failed. This is the cat that I purchased from Autozone. I called Magnaflow and they said that since I purchased from Autozone, I simply have to run the warranty through them.

    I’m not sure why, but the CEL turned off a few days later. I recently purchased a BlueDriver code scanner and it appears the P0430 code is still there, and it is obvious something is off on the Bank 2 Sensor 2 voltage reading.

    I called Autozone and they told me to simply bring in the old part and they would swap it out for me. I removed the catalytic converter and brought it in. Miraculously they had a new one in stock.

    I think it is interesting that the new one they gave me is Magnaflow’s new design and matches my passenger side.

    IMG_0085.HEIC.jpg

    I plan to install it tomorrow.

    I hope this post is helpful to others!
     
  2. Jan 2, 2023 at 8:12 AM
    #2
    IowaGuy

    IowaGuy New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2021
    Member:
    #69167
    Messages:
    933
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    Arizona by way of Iowa
    Vehicle:
    2019 SR5 upgrade MGM
    In Process
    I have the same CAT shield and am happy with it so far.
     
    KingsAustin and Mike59 like this.
  3. Jan 2, 2023 at 8:31 AM
    #3
    bulldog93

    bulldog93 Usually tired...

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2022
    Member:
    #74888
    Messages:
    340
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jeff
    Santa Rosa, California
    Vehicle:
    2020 Super White Tundra TRD Pro
    My Cat Security shields installed pretty easily,luckily for me.
     
    KingsAustin likes this.
  4. Jan 2, 2023 at 8:38 AM
    #4
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2019
    Member:
    #35514
    Messages:
    27,077
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Adam
    Wyoming
    Vehicle:
    2023 Solar Octane TRD Pro TACOMA, 2022 Honda CB500X
    Trying not to mod it
    Bummer you got hit, but glad it prompted you to actively join the community! Now, brace yourself for all the mods you didn't know you needed. @Jim LE 1301 is great at pointing out things you didn't know you were missing and has spent lots of members' money.
     
  5. Jan 2, 2023 at 8:42 AM
    #5
    Jim LE 1301

    Jim LE 1301 Camaro Lover, SSEM # 11,TTC#179

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2018
    Member:
    #14884
    Messages:
    27,763
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    Hudson Valley, New York
    Vehicle:
    2018 MGM Tundra TRD Sport Double Cab
  6. Jan 4, 2023 at 5:51 PM
    #6
    parkerbows

    parkerbows New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2019
    Member:
    #28783
    Messages:
    694
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jack
    Vehicle:
    2017 crew max sr5 trd off road
    Firestone air ride air bags
    Is that the ultimate 3/8th cat shield or just the regular one?
     
  7. Jan 5, 2023 at 2:00 PM
    #7
    Rocko9999

    Rocko9999 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2020
    Member:
    #56832
    Messages:
    953
    Aren't the cats still easily cut off with that shield? In the first pic it looks wide open.
     
  8. Jan 5, 2023 at 2:12 PM
    #8
    RobertD

    RobertD SSEM#123, ASCM#4 "I call it Vera" ~Jayne Cobb

    Joined:
    May 18, 2020
    Member:
    #46765
    Messages:
    3,784
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Robert
    DFW, Texas
    Vehicle:
    2018 Blazing Blue SR5 4x4 Crewmax
    You can cut behind the back cat, but there isn't access to the front side or to the front cats.
    I'm sure with enough time and the right tools, they could get them. But that is true for all the cat prevention methods.
     
  9. Jan 5, 2023 at 3:23 PM
    #9
    Cpl_Punishment

    Cpl_Punishment Young men never die.

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2019
    Member:
    #25048
    Messages:
    14,218
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rosy
    Alberta, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2020 MGM SR5 CM 4X4
    Boost Auto mirrors, RSB, Leer Legend canopy, Line-X bed liner
    As long as the thieves realize that before they make the first cut. :fingerscrossed:
     
  10. Jan 5, 2023 at 3:52 PM
    #10
    Half track

    Half track New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2019
    Member:
    #40506
    Messages:
    134
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rob
    Western Nevada
    Vehicle:
    2020 Silver Tundra SR5 TRD, 38 gal tank
    Tow Mirrors
    With the thieves on camera, the Cops should be able to find them, with in a week.
     
    TK1979 likes this.
  11. Jan 6, 2023 at 7:47 AM
    #11
    seydou

    seydou Distinguished Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2022
    Member:
    #83013
    Messages:
    440
    Gender:
    Male
    LOL
     
    Rstreight, Seafury, kittyhawk and 9 others like this.
  12. Jan 7, 2023 at 3:12 PM
    #12
    2014 Black tundra

    2014 Black tundra New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2022
    Member:
    #75158
    Messages:
    609
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2014 tundra sr5
    I was at the Toyota dealership a couple days ago in Selingsgrove PA. Wife got a 2023 Toyota Corolla SE. Nice looking car. Anyways, I asked the one guy if they had any tundras in from cat thefts. He said back in August on a foggy night they had 3 tundras hit. And down the street they climbed a fence to get to some more vehicles. He said they had a long wait to get parts due to backlog.
     
  13. Jan 24, 2023 at 11:55 AM
    #13
    KTMRider

    KTMRider New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2020
    Member:
    #50324
    Messages:
    239
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ken
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tundra
    King's all around, Magnaflow exhaust, 18x9 Method 305 NV, Falken Wildpeak A/T3W 305/65/18 tires, tinted windows (shhhhh)
    Well, it only took 203 days but my cats finally came in.....

    Rental Invoice.jpg
     
    ColoradoTJ, 1lowlife and Fotnot like this.
  14. Jan 25, 2023 at 7:34 AM
    #14
    running214

    running214 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2022
    Member:
    #88049
    Messages:
    86
    Bilstein 5100's, Morimoto gen 2 XB headlights and fog lights, TRD sway bar and skid plates. Nothing else needed!
    I installed the RCI tranny skid plate with the cat guard extensions. Product is awesome. Company's customer service absolutely blows. Their instructions dont match the product, and are missing some critical steps. Really great product, and super high quality components, but the company isnt one I would do business with again.

    Screen Shot 2023-01-25 at 8.34.07 AM.jpg
    Screen Shot 2023-01-25 at 8.34.18 AM.jpg
     
  15. Jan 25, 2023 at 8:06 AM
    #15
    JJtruckon

    JJtruckon New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2021
    Member:
    #62294
    Messages:
    273
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    JJ
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tundra
    Undercoating
    Has anyone contacted Toyota on these cat thefts. Seems to me that Toyota has the highest rate of thefts out of all brands for a reason. I could be incorrect, didn’t the new Tundra address these design issues?
     
  16. Jan 25, 2023 at 8:14 AM
    #16
    1lowlife

    1lowlife Toxic prick and pavement princess..

    Joined:
    May 4, 2016
    Member:
    #3296
    Messages:
    7,941
    First Name:
    DADA
    THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS
    Vehicle:
    2014 MGM DC SR5

    I'm pretty sure Toyota is more than aware of the cat thefts..:rolleyes:
    Like me and @KTMRider Toyota is paying massive amounts of money to cover loaner vehicles while they wait on parts.
    It took over 250 days to get my truck back from the dealership for cat replacement.
    They covered over $9k of vehicle rental fees.

    Apparently, the new Tundra did not address the cat theft issue.
    Companies make cat plates for Gen 3s..:thumbsup:
     
    Cpl_Punishment likes this.
  17. Jan 25, 2023 at 8:16 AM
    #17
    Gaston

    Gaston New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2022
    Member:
    #72748
    Messages:
    407
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gary
    SE MI
    Vehicle:
    2021 White Tundra SR5 CM TRD Sport
    I may be mistaken but the reason Toyota's are targeted so frequently is because their catalytic converters contain more of the precious metals, to make them more efficient, making them a greater target.
     
    Saltyhero13 and AZBoatHauler like this.
  18. Jan 25, 2023 at 8:17 AM
    #18
    JediMedic86

    JediMedic86 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2022
    Member:
    #77438
    Messages:
    70
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Cole
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2021 Cavalry Blue Tundra SR5
    Rough Country rear bumper, AJT interior products, TufSkinz interior products, BakFlip bed cover, BedRug full bed liner, Rough Country 2” strut leveling kit with rear N3 shocks.
    I’m still waiting for my transmission skid plate and cat guards to come in…ordered them on 12/21. They look like a great product.
     
  19. Jan 25, 2023 at 8:23 AM
    #19
    JJtruckon

    JJtruckon New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2021
    Member:
    #62294
    Messages:
    273
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    JJ
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tundra
    Undercoating
    Just because someone is selling something it doesn’t mean it is needed.
    I could be wrong on the new Tundra. Are the cats up closer to the turbos and cannot be removed on seconds?
     
  20. Jan 25, 2023 at 8:31 AM
    #20
    KTMRider

    KTMRider New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2020
    Member:
    #50324
    Messages:
    239
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ken
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tundra
    King's all around, Magnaflow exhaust, 18x9 Method 305 NV, Falken Wildpeak A/T3W 305/65/18 tires, tinted windows (shhhhh)
    Anyone need a Federal approved drivers side cat (non CARB approved) :)

    I got the Talons Garage cat protection...
    Cat Protection.jpg
     
  21. Jan 25, 2023 at 8:33 AM
    #21
    NewImprovedRon

    NewImprovedRon New Old Guy

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2022
    Member:
    #77346
    Messages:
    829
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ron
    NW Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    2015 Radiant Red Tundra
    Tundras are targeted for cat theft because there are 4 of them. More cats=more money for the thieves. Plus, our trucks have good ground clearance for them to get under them.
     
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2023
    2mchfun, GODZILLA and Cpl_Punishment like this.
  22. Jan 25, 2023 at 8:40 AM
    #22
    1lowlife

    1lowlife Toxic prick and pavement princess..

    Joined:
    May 4, 2016
    Member:
    #3296
    Messages:
    7,941
    First Name:
    DADA
    THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS
    Vehicle:
    2014 MGM DC SR5
    Yes, you're wrong, but that is ok.
    But to your credit, the front cats are more forward, the rear is easily accessible.
    A crackhead methed-out thief is going to see a cat and cut it off.
    Most don't know the rear is worth much less that the front.

    Do you not see any cats here on this Gen 3?
    Yep, those Gen 3 cat plates are worthless...:rolleyes::thumbsup:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  23. Jan 25, 2023 at 8:54 AM
    #23
    Gaston

    Gaston New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2022
    Member:
    #72748
    Messages:
    407
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gary
    SE MI
    Vehicle:
    2021 White Tundra SR5 CM TRD Sport
    I was referring to Toyota's in general, not the specific reason Tundra's are targeted
     
  24. Jan 25, 2023 at 9:17 AM
    #24
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #2766
    Messages:
    35,620
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    LML 3500HD
    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    It seems like Toyota is a high target because this is a Toyota site. Tundra's don't even make the top 10.

    https://www.carfax.com/blog/catalytic-converter-theft
     
  25. Jan 25, 2023 at 9:53 AM
    #25
    BlueLighting

    BlueLighting New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2022
    Member:
    #74833
    Messages:
    80
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rick
    California
    Vehicle:
    2015 Platinum
    4.5 RC Lift, fuel wheels, RC front bumper & front struts
    Paint your catalytic converters with bright paint also because the recycling jerks won’t take them make the thieves work harder.
     
    Mike59 likes this.
  26. Jan 25, 2023 at 10:20 AM
    #26
    NewImprovedRon

    NewImprovedRon New Old Guy

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2022
    Member:
    #77346
    Messages:
    829
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ron
    NW Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    2015 Radiant Red Tundra
    Well, after all, this is a Tundra forum.
     
    1lowlife likes this.
  27. Jan 25, 2023 at 10:23 AM
    #27
    NewImprovedRon

    NewImprovedRon New Old Guy

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2022
    Member:
    #77346
    Messages:
    829
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ron
    NW Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    2015 Radiant Red Tundra
    I was pretty much answering the previous post asking this question but quoted your post since it was the last post of a similar nature. And, as @ColoradoTJ points out, Ford has the high-water mark on thefts. Of course, they have the highest level of sales due to fleet sales numbers.
     
  28. Jan 25, 2023 at 10:25 AM
    #28
    1lowlife

    1lowlife Toxic prick and pavement princess..

    Joined:
    May 4, 2016
    Member:
    #3296
    Messages:
    7,941
    First Name:
    DADA
    THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS
    Vehicle:
    2014 MGM DC SR5
  29. Jan 25, 2023 at 10:29 AM
    #29
    NewImprovedRon

    NewImprovedRon New Old Guy

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2022
    Member:
    #77346
    Messages:
    829
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ron
    NW Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    2015 Radiant Red Tundra
    Ok, sorry, I'll try...:thumbsup::D But, you gotta make @ColoradoTJ do it too.
     
  30. Jan 25, 2023 at 11:14 AM
    #30
    Coastboater

    Coastboater New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2021
    Member:
    #60445
    Messages:
    192
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Vehicle:
    2019 1794
    Wheels & Tires, Power Running Boards
    Saw this today…
    9A7C60EE-9EB4-4FA7-8FBB-7DA07318FEC1.jpg
     

Products Discussed in

To Top