Catalytic converter shield

Sorry if I missed this, but steel vs aluminum? Finding almost everyone, if not everyone, gets the aluminum one - why? Looking at Talon's pricing, for example, a steel one is a lot cheaper. Isn't a steel one harder to cut through? I feel like I'm missing something here...

 

According to the service writer at the shop that installed mine, the aluminum shields clog the sawzall blades when they try to cut through them. I'm sure there's someone here that works with aluminum that can confirm or deny that claim.

 

MillerCat here. Aluminum thickness is decent. Not as robust as the TRD skid plate but it will definitely waste a perp's time to go through it.

 

After looking at a number of different designs one of my concerns is the mounting screws/bolts used to install these cat protectors. If a thief can use a battery operated Sawzall to cut the Cat's out what is stopping them for also bringing along a battery operated grinder to cut the heads off the exposed screw/bolt heads (irrespective if they are tamperproof or not). The designs that incorporate countersunk mounting fasteners would be better in this case. Just saying!

 

Nothing is going to stop a determined thief! The cat guards add a deterrent which will help them move to an easier target. If the thief had enough time and equipment, they would flip the truck on its side and take their time or they could just tow it away.

 

Not sure about others but I would go with aluminum if I got one for less weight since I'm probably getting close to my payload capacity when I tow my travel trailer.

 

What is stopping them is time. They want to hit it fast, under a minute, and leave. Sure, they can bring a grinder and a saw, make tons of noise grinding off 4 bolt heads, but they wont, generally speaking. They could hit like 5 cars in the time it would take to saw off your bolts.

Plus, those steel bolts are not THAT easy to cut. I had to cut the head off of one bolt because I forgot bolt head protectors and sheared off the head of the bolt while wheeling, and it took a long time to cut it off.

 

Appreciate the feedback. Haven't pulled the trigger yet. Not hauling, so weight wasn't really a concern until I started thinking maintenance. Would I need to take the shield off every time I take Tundra for a service...then it may eventually make a difference. Yes, it would be good to hear from someone who works with aluminum to get a better understanding if cutting through aluminum is not like going through butter..

 

Depends on the service you are going in for. transmission, front diff and transfer case will all require the shields being removed, on a 2.5gen anyway, not 100% sure on the 3gen. I'm sure you could get the shop doing the service to pull and install the shields, just might cost extra.
As for ease of cutting aluminum, it is obviously easier than cutting steel but it'll be loud and still take some time and most thieves are looking to be in and out quick. Someone mentioned being told the aluminum would gum up the blades, not unless the thief is using a really high tooth count blade.
I chose aluminum for mine because I wanted them lighter to take away less from payload and easier handling during removal/install but also because I don't plan to use them as sliders.

 

For those of you who put a Talons Garage plate on with the TRD skid, what did you do where they meet at the front?

 

Regarding cutting aluminum...

I would expect thieves to carry a grinder with a metal cut off wheel, not a saw with tooth. So it hopefully will gum up the grinder wheel...

And there isn't a way to get in there with a sawzal blade easily. It will definitely be a very inconvenient 5-10 minute sawing with hot aluminum flakes falling onto your face

 

Well from pictures and videos I've seen of people getting caught climbing out from under a vehicle they've had a sawzall, not a grinder

 

I think there are a few tools needed to be an efficient thief.

1) Cordless sawsall with a metal blade long enough to cut through the pipes.
2) Cordless grinder with a metal disk to cut the cat cover off or to cut the bolt heads off (this thief would be a bit more prepared).
3) Cordless impactor to remove the odd bolt (this would be a very dialled in thief).
4) Key Fob cloning tool to just drive the truck away to the chop shop!

The noise that cutting will make will be unbearable and should wake everyone up!

 

I believe Talon makes a skid that goes between the engine and the cat skids.

I chose the Talon Garage Aluminum because I had Aluminum Skids on my Jeep and beat the hell out of them and they took a beating, the steel ones would rust and get bent. Add enough steel to your truck and it will start to affect payload and mpg's.

 

Yes, they do have Sawzall, but it would be very tough to cut off the shield with Sawzall blade. The room is very tight and won't give much space for the reciprocating saw to go up down... You probably going to end up breaking the saw and it ending up in your face

 

Talons plate is sandwiched between TRD skid and frame. You need to bend the tab on the TRD skid to make clearance for the Talons to fit flush. Make sure to install the third Talons hanger bolt on the front before you reinstall the TRD skid. That bolt holds the Talons plate up on the front so that the 2 smaller bolts... best to use the security bolts... only support the rear of the TRD skid. Some of the other cat protector brands seem to not have that front hanger bolt which seems a little sketchy to me. Plus, with a setup like the Talons, when you pull the TRD skid for an oil change you do not loosen or disturb the cat shield at all.

 

there is plenty of room for a blade to go up and down under there, how else do you think thieves use sawzalls to cut the exhaust pipe? They aren't straight up and down but they aren't horizontal either and the exhaust pipe is closer to the underbody than the shield is

besides, and I have yet to hear of a shield being cut off

 

Have you installed a shield on a 22? I have

 

nope, but I've looked under one and there is plenty of room for a sawzall to cut the exhaust and shield if a thief wanted to

 

Ok, you're right.

However, the points where shield mounts can't be accessed and cut easily, they'll have to cut a few inches away from the bolts meaning they'll be cutting about 10 inches of thick 1/4 in aluminum in 3 separate places to bend the shield off, and some of these places don't have any room behind it to get sawzall in. All I'm saying it's going to be not easy by any means and will take 5-10 min of loud and persistent cutting under the truck (assuming your blade won't break) . Then another few min to cut both cats off. They would really want your cats and not be afraid to spend all the time making noise hoping you won't come out to help them.

 

Agreed

 

Here is a photo of how they interact. Very easy install. Took half an hour. You do have to hammer down the little tab/hanger on the rear of the TRD Pro skid plate to make room for the shield to slide over. I didn't use the hanger bolt since it seemed like it would not allow the skid plate to sit flush to the shield. I will re-examine this though.

My workflow was:

Remove TRD Pro skid plate by loosening front 2 bolts and removing back 4.
Slide it off and then hammer down the little tab.
Re-install skid plate with bolts just engaged a few threads.
Place the Talons shield between the skid plate and crossmember to hold the front up and support the back of it with your chest, leg, whatever.
Remove one of the skid plate rear bolts and pivot the Talons into position, so the hole lines up (you use the hole and not the slot) and reinstall screw.
Do the same on the other side.
Now scoot to the rear of the shield and install the 2 bolts. It will be supported in the front and require minimum support in the rear.
Then go around and tighten everything up.

The Talons shield is very nice and fits great. Fast shipping too. I highly recommend it.

 

??? any of you know if Talon or TacoTune have a history of running 4th of July sales? I'm looking to purchase soon. Possibly I should just call them! TIA.

EDIT #1: Calling and asking about discounts works. Got the one I wanted for 15% off with security hardware and free shipping. Now waiting for delivery!

EDIT #2: Got my Cat Shield and installed it. Impressive and perfect fit -easy to install. Thanks to Josh! Great Customer service to match their product and fast shipping/delivery. Call them. You won't be disappointed.