Catalytic converter security

Just had a thought and decided to share it. Thinking catalytic converter security and I know many are buying expensive skid plates. I don't like to trap heat, so I thought about warehouse shelf racks because I can buy them all day long for 35 cents per pound used. They typically have a couple channels welded to the wire mesh that could maybe be drilled to bolt up to the frame. I haven't looked at the location yet, but I can fab and weld anything that I can dream up so this is going on my to do list if it looks like a practical idea once I crawl underneath and take a good look. From experience, these cut okay with decent bolt cutters, however it would be challenging to do so under a truck! Plus very noisy with a loud snap on every cut. Just an idea to help those who like to harden targets.

 

The thieves are using some form of cordless saw/cutting wheel. If they have the balls to make the noise to cut off the CC, then I would think they would make swiss cheese out of these shelf racks. I've cut these shelf racks before with a cutting wheel and it only takes a split second.

 

I agree. Buy the right stuff the first time!

 

I had the same concern about heat build up. I was assured that there is plenty of area for ventilation and not to worry about it by my dealer.

DE plate installed

 

Actually on my 21 it is 5 bolts per side no cutting required. 3 bolts on each front flange 2 bolts rear flange front and rear cc seperated with an easily unbolted cross member. Almost no noise whatsoever.

 

they will use a cordless recip saw and do not care about neatness

they will slice right thru your flange then you are buying manifolds

cut your sensor wires as well there’s more cost

The plates are a deterrent. They won’t want to stick around and draw the attention they would get by extended loud noise.

 

I am thinking the same way, not really thrilled about adding a heavy skid plate since I tow and need every pound of payload I can get. I thought this was a pretty good idea. Member used tool steel that is hard to cut through and would dull a reciprocating saw pretty quick. He had a muffler shop weld it to the pipes so using a pipe cutter wouldnt work either, less than $100 total.

 

If I am not mistaken it looks like the cross member can be unbolted and then flanges unbolted and all welding was useless, whole assembly gone. Just my opinion, hard to see the rest of the tool steel behind the cross member.

 

Good thing thieves have 4" cut bandsaws, at least that is what I would use.

 

Going to jail or getting shot anyway if caught, so why not just drop driveshafts and winch whole trucks on car hauler. Go big!

 

Sh#@, with a 6,000+ lb truck, adding a 40 lb skid plate would be the least of my worries.

 

I put around 400 miles on mine this weekend after the install, mileage stayed the same 17 highway.

 

Yep....no different than hauling a passenger lol.

 

i almost wanted to run over something so I could grin as it bounced off that big hunk of flat plate steel lol