Houston- catalytic theft heads up

Had my catalysts converters stolen this weekend at my apartment in Cypress. Apartment complex is gated, was told by apartment managers that several of the Toyotas had been hit and the gate had been wired open. Insurance is dealing with the theft, but have been told there is a huge back order on them and probably won't get them them replaced for 2 months. The asshats also broke my rear window, but never tried to get into the truck.

 

Tundras are getting hit for their cats on the south side of town too at the Movie Theaters.

 

Figures, the Harris County SO that took my report said there are 3 or 4 teams doing this and selling the cats to scrap yards.

 

Desert Eagle Offroad sells a skid plate that protects the converters. They have 10 in stock at Don McGill Toyota in Katy, TX.

 

Thats great to know, I will go down there after this storm passes and get price point, I just can't believe it's going to take 2 months to get replacement parts for my truck. Super frustrating.

Thanks for the tip.

 

Yup it happens everywhere. Saw this post on Nextdoor from this poor lady. Honda Element owner beware. Last night my catalytic converter was stolen from my car. This piece is easy to access on an element and is worth a lot of money for the metals in it. It probably took them less then a minute for them to take it. $900 bill for a new one. Frickin thieves suck!

 

How are they removing the cats? I’m mean it’s that easy? Seems like they would have to cut the exhaust pipes right? Damn, can’t have anything nice anymore!

 

Check FB Tundra groups, there is a guy who makes and sells a skid plate, and additional plates for the rears, just put rears on

 

They used a batter operated saw, 10seconds and its gone

 

had both cats stolen yesterday WHILE AT WORK in sugar land town center. limped pickup to sterling mccall fort bend toyota and was quoted $9,450 for replacement of both. like you, i was told they are back-ordered for 4-6 weeks minimum. luckily the human scum / asshats left my back glass in tact.

thanks to @Funnyguy713 i headed over to don mcgill katy around 3:45 this afternoon and purchased the desert eagle cat protector plate. they had 11 when i arrived, and 10 when i left.

THEY ARE NEGOTIABLE. advertised on the wall at 365.95. i paid $256 and change out the door, hardware included.

best of luck to ya... this SUCKS... even worse, im in a nissan pathfinder as a rental... and my insurance only covers 4 out of the 6-8 weeks to complete repair.

 

It almost makes me want to just take mine off and put a straight pipe so it won't get stolen.

 

yea these Desert Eagle skid plates are a MUST these days. Its a damn shame when you have to protect your converters. Just wait until gas goes up and we will have to protect our Gas Tanks.

 

https://www.tundras.com/posts/2023623/

Post #38, put this on, guy is making ones for rears soon

 

cannot thank you enough @Funnyguy713 for sharing that don mcgill katy had inventory of the desert eagle cat shields. there were 10 left when parts dept closed the "gates" TODAY.

glad i got mine.

i hope these asshat thieves catch on fire!

 

Yes when I spoke to Kent from Desert Eagle he said he was all out as well and that he sold Don McGill 50 skid plates and a couple of other dealerships in Conroe and Spring. But Katy was the closest to me.

 

closest for me as well. my desert eagle is current posted up against the wall of my foyer until i get my tundra back. looks like it could be months; i've got a rental for 30 days. hoping for a very dry mid march to april so i can return rental and ride my bike to work.

 

have i mentioned that i hope these thieves catch on fire!?

 

This whole damned thing sucks... My Tundra has a Pro Comp 6" lift on it and thus, I have to figure out a way to fabricate some sort of protection plate since the Desert Eagle one is not compatible. I'm halfway between Houston and Galveston so I know that this threat pertains to me too.

 

A locking gas cap is must. I bought one soon after buying my truck.

 

I guess we are all gonna have to drop the Tundras to lowriders instead of lifting them. Add some airbags or Hydros.lol

 

I thought about buying some sheet metal and some hardware that matches the specs that skid plate manufacturers use. I’d cut it to fit and drill some holes to mount it.

Even some of that metal diamond mesh would be good. Maybe even get whatever parts you want to use (sheet metal, diamond mesh, and/or chains) and call around to muffler shops to see who would weld it on for you ASAP if you don’t have a welder.

I’m on the list for the Desert Eagle skid, but it won’t ship for another week. I might rig something up in the meantime.

 

It seems the SO needs to be paying a visit to the local scrap yards and discuss receiving stolen property. No one should be able to take a bunch of freshly sawed off cats willy nilly to a scrapyard. Local authorities need to crack down on those scrapyards.

 

I'm on the list too. I'm going to see if there is something that can be added to cover the rest of the rear cats once the skid is on. It's easy to drill into the frame rail if needed.

 

In Houston, el dinero habla, and a lot of these yards.....they habla chingos

 

My question with the Desert Eagle piece - wouldn't it just take the people 10-20 seconds to back out the bolts and now they have your skid plate, too? I'm all for protecting the cats, I'm just kinda curious on the security aspect of the Desert Eagle piece.

 

Use security bolts

 

Is that what they're sold with?

 

Someone got theirs recently and it did come with them. However, the plate weighs 40 pounds. Maybe spot weld the bolt heads to the plate once installed?

 

No. But you can go to your local ACE and get them and also go to your local gun shop too.....