Catalytic converter skid plates & theft deterrent

In the San Francisco Bay Area and down in LA, it is fairly common but the worst hit vehicles are the 4runners and Prius. Takes less then 2 minutes to cut it out.

 

That's a hard core thief because the 4Runner sits low unless they bring their own jack.

 

They were a hot item a couple years back as well IIRC. Damn....makes me want to look into skids.

 

I just looked them up for a 2020 for gee whiz....

 

They are expensive. Likely covered under comprehensive but dealing with insurance is a pain. Easier to just add the skid and not worry about it.

 

Yep. I think I may invest in skids, call it another mod, and move on lol.

 

Not hard at all Desert eagle send you new hardware real easy install

 

Well I meant because one has to loosen the rear bolts on the rci or trd skid in order to slip the DE under it but it would be hard to reach the top of the crossmember bolts once the DE is on.

 

Daughter's prius got hit 2 weeks ago, 'luckily' they only removed the portion from the engine to just past the cat, there is Nothing to cut.

2 bolts on engine side and 1 clamp on rear, lift vehicle and probably less than 45 secs later gone.

Found parts on Amazon and took to local muffler friend (way loud driving over!), he installed and welded bars across it and all the way back past the resonator. Sure anything can be stolen, but this will give them pause and move on to something easier.

Said if they'd taken all the way back, cost of parts would have been lots higher.

I went ahead and took my Sequoia, 4 runner, camry and optima to have the same done.

In Austin, cat theft is way up since covid. Muffler guy said he used to get one stolen cat customer every 2-3 months, now it is Daily.

He also added Toyotas, trucks, SUVS and hybrids are extra popular.

Said our Tundra/Sequoias have 4 cats and expensive sensors on each so cost would be way past 1500 for all of it.

I'll sleep a tiny bit better now...

 

Edit: never mind, just crawled under mine and realized I had the wrong idea.

 

anyone able to find OR-FAB 87042 Skid Plate for a tundra 08-13? seems out of stock everywhere.

 

I wonder if anyone has added "wings" to the RCI skids to give the cats more protection? Or would this be something RCI would consider developing for us who already have the RCI skids and want some protection from cat theft?

 

I think I saw somewhere that Or-Fab is out of business? I think Desert Eagle Offroad is the go-to now.

 

I don't have an engine or transmission skid on my 2020. If I did RCI for both, could a local chop just weld an extension plate on each side to extend it? I have no idea what the RCI looks like installed.

 

So you have the RCI engine skid and the Desert Eagle cat plate? The 2 together cover most of the cats and tranny? I'm trying to figure out what to get.

 

I did. I just used some expanded steel, flat bar, and square tubing. I left all the edges unfinished so if they try to mess around with it their hands will get shredded.

 

Any welding or fab shop could easily add wings to the rci trans skids.

 

I guess you found your next mod.

 

Yeah the next county over is having some cat thefts. My buddy knows an exhaust shop owner and he said people are bringing cats in trying to sell them. Now there are ads on CL from "shops" wanting to buy them so they can bust the theives.

 

Yeah thats what I think. Im just exploring the options and costs between the RCI set for ease of installment and adding extensions versus the RCI and DE combo.

 

They are happening up here too. It's not just forum frenzy.

The Police just sent out a media release about parking cars in well lit areas and thefts of converters is on the up swing. Junkies chopping them for scrap metal.

 

Nice touch

 

Talked to KW, and I’m on the list for the Desert Eagle cat skid. It’ll be a few weeks before this batch is ready for shipping. Due to the price of steel going up, it’s now $315 shipped.

 

So you call his cell during the week to order and he takes payment over the phone?

 

I messaged him through Facebook. He gave me his cell. Called his phone a couple times. Couldn’t leave a message because his voicemail is full. So I texted him. He got back to me, and I’m on the list. He won’t accept payment until the skids are nearer to being ready to ship. Helps him keep everything sorted out he said.

 

Copy that. I'll shoot him a text tomorrow. That price still isn't bad at $315 shipped. That thing weighs 40 pounds or so.

 

I only have this pic right now

 

So I take it that the rear cats can't be removed due to the crossmember being in the way?

 

https://youtu.be/AiMA26ViCgg

 

Right almost no room.