Catalytic converter thieving bastards

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO48Vr4KIc8

 

Anyone from SC will tell you Columbia doesnt count. It’s actually a giant bowl in a valley, a containment zone

 

I designed and built my own plate.

Designing and adding the rear plates soon.

Something is better than nothing.

 

What if you were to spray stencil "police evidence" on the cats with high temp paint?

 

The stenciling, etching, and painting might make it hard for local dirtbags who are selling to unscrupulous scrappers, but if it's being shipped out of country it won't have any impact.

 

That looks really nice.

Not to diminish anyone or their choice of product, but how do plates of this design reduce theft? I think I could get that plate off in under a minute with a cordless impact. Is it just the extra steps?

 

Most of the cat thieving is done by idiots with nothing but a sawzall. They don't generally have other tools for their smash and grab things, so it's just a deterrent. Some people are also using security bots that have to have a special socket or key.

The basic theory is that the average dirtbag won't put anything more than minimum effort into it, and so anything that looks like it'll take time makes them go to the next in hopes of an easier time.

 

Makes sense. Also explains why certain makes and models are more susceptible than others. Ease.

 

Exactly. Most plates are just a deterrent. Just like console safes, kill switches, etc.

If someone wants something they will find a way to get it.

I just want the dirt bags to roll under my truck and say "Crap" and go to the next one.

I have built 5 and sold a few locally. 11 gauge hot rolled steel, powder coated.

I have a 2WD and have not been able to check out a 4WD, yet. I know the transfer case is in the way, so I will have to redesign that side. Hoping to check one out this week.

The tamper resistant bolts would be good, but I have not found any in the size and length I need. My plate uses existing holes in the cross members and installs in about 15 minutes.

 

For most. But half them are using stolen blades and sawzall a to boot, they don’t care lol

 

Would be great catching them underneath and unaware while you sneak up and kick them in the groin. They'd probably sit up in a hurry and smack their head too. Kind of a 2 for 1 kind of kick!

 

What kind of engraver did you use? A dremel?

 

I just installed the Desert Eagle plate and feel much better. I went on easy, and with a simple mod, was compatible witht my TRD Skid Plate. highly recommend a shield of some sort.

 

That depends where you live

 

An older actual engraver tool from Craftsman that I have had for years and years. Kinda a PITA, working over your head and what not. And someone has been throwing mud and dirt under my truck, as it was coated underneath.

 

Not in my state. For Utah, that would be a unlawful use of force. The law specifically calls out burglary of a vehicle as not being justifiable.

 

Yep. I know in MO, no, you can't just go do that; however, if IN the process of, uh, 'burgling' your vehicle (lol) they decide to get violent and threaten you, it's a completely different situation then, but yeah, if this happens to me, I'm likely doing two things:

1. Warning them they're on all sorts of different cameras being watched.
2. Ensuring I do have my piece on me in case they decide to get squirrelly.

I have no problem protecting me/mine, but I'm not going to go all Tackleberry over stuff. My life and that of my family is worth more than that.

 

When I first read about this I freaked about having mine stolen. It’s a big business here in Miami also. I ordered from Desert Eagle Off-road. He keeps them in stock and read to ship from what he told me when I ordered it. Had mine in like 3 days. Only thing is he doesn’t make for the rear ones but those are easier to fab a plate for or go with the member on here that does the rears.