matthewdmueller

So I went out this morning to go to work, started my '95 4-Runner 3.0 V-6 4WD and it was very loud. I shut it down immediately, knowing that it sounded fine the night before when I parked it. Took a look underneath and sure enough someone had sawed out my cat. They didn't do a very nice job either and did a little more damage than was required to do the job. Anyway I live in Queens in New York City, and this happened right in front of my house. Just thought I would let everyone know and ask if anyone has had the same problem, and maybe some recommendations on what I should do. I love this city!

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TOY89

My friend that owns a muffler shop had 5 toyota's in JUST TODAY for stolen cats.

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-Erik
1989 Toyota 4WD SR5 Xtra cab 3.0 5spd.

phenob

i was cat-jacked a few months ago here in long beach, ca. since then it has become even more common, with a local shopping center recently having 31 cats reported stolen in the parking lot over one weekend!

There's another thread on this with some useful info, but in short, if you haven't been cat-jacked yet, pull your own cat, sell it like the tweekers are doing, use that money to slap an aftermarket cat on. the tweekers only want the original, platinum-having cats.

then keep an eye on your truck and wait to see a pair of legs sticking out from underneath..

da_bigg_wigg

i'm worried about my truck missing it's cat. it's sitting in my parent's backyard until i come home from school. i've been thinking about welding up some sort of plate to cover up the cat, but that might just be paranoia. last thing i need is a heat shield under my truck directing heat towards my ass as well... also, i can't see it being all that effective. if someone wants your cat, they can pretty much make off with it unless you park it in a garage. not even parking in a well lit space is gonna do it anymore...

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-1992 4Runner (Medallist Edition) Still given 'er 16 years later
-Santa Cruz Bullit
-Giant STP1
-Empty Wallet

Adam

jasond

Then test out the sights on your 357

rowdy235

never have any problems with that up here. Then again I don't have a cat.

I just can't imagine stealing somebody's cat converter. I'll tell ya, if I caught 'em stealing mine, there'd be some heck to pay.

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The Daily Driver:
1998 Tacoma | Regular Cab | 4WD | 2.7L | 5-Speed Stick | Mostly Stock

The People-Hauler
1988 Grand Wagoneer | SUV | 4WD | AMC 360 | 3-Speed Auto | All Stock

The Dump Runner
1982 Pickup | Regular Cab | 2WD | 22R | 5-Speed Stick | Custom Exhaust
FER SALE! http://www.yotatech.com/f108/1982-sh.../#post51229916

rusche

If I see legs under my car I'm running them over

flatland4runner

its common enough that wikipedia talk about it...pathetic heres a cut and paste...
[edit] Catalytic converter theft
Due to the use of valuable precious metals including platinum, palladium, and rhodium, catalytic converters are a target for thieves. The problem is especially common among late-model Toyota trucks and SUVs, due to their high ground clearance and easily-removed bolt-on catalytic converters. Welded-in converters are also at risk of theft from SUVs and trucks, as they can be easily removed with a battery powered reciprocating saw.[2]

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'91 4Runner SR5- 3.0 -5spd-Aisin Manual Hubs-ISR mod

elripster

Yep, I had mine stolen too. Not fun.

Frank

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1994 4runner, 3.0, auto, 5.71's, Truetrac (rear), 33's, BJ spacers, Coil spacers, air shocks, D-ring anchors, 4Crawler F/R swaybar discos, Marlin rear bumper.

www.sdori.com

Brendan

[delete]

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1992 "Truck"
1978 Land Cruiser FJ40

pig and elephant DNA just won't splice :(

***DO NOT CLICK HERE***

95RunnerSR5

how much do these things go for at a scrap yard? i just threw mine away without thinking twice

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Dead. T-boned a cherokee/endo'd Black '95 4R SR5 3.slow, A340H, bj spacers, OME901's, rancho 5000's, ISR mod, clear lights up front, extended diff breather, hella 500's, oregon 3.0, 4.88's stock, 33x12.5 BFG AT's on black steelies

mikepella

Mine was stolen a few months ago in front of my house.

At least an arrest has been made from someone buying stolen ones.http://www.newsique.com/us/san_leand...ore_owner_bus/

ddc_5114

a remington 30-06...$399, a few high grade hollow points $18, something to snack on while you wait, peering out of your window into the darkness, $4........the look on you neighbors face when the cops wake her to identify her sons cold, dead body,.......priceless!!!

flatland4runner

there is a guy here with an ad on a local buy/sell site that is paying $50 per converter...I'm sure the meth heads and s@$t bags can get around that to a recycler

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'91 4Runner SR5- 3.0 -5spd-Aisin Manual Hubs-ISR mod

87toy.

i went to test drive a 99 taco v6 4x4 5 speed, started it up and it sounded like a harley, some $%#@ stole the cat, the owner of the dealer ship had a cow, 9th time that week a cat went missing,......

idanity

there will be a new invention soon.

the grenade-cat.
if removed w/out the ign.key, it will release super glue that will bind thieves to the chassy, and call police.

Corey

Time to tack weld some razor blades to the pipe and cats.

But with todays society, the thieves will sue you and the judge will win in their favor if they get cut up stealing your cat.

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Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser
Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use
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ocdropzone

Best theft prevention method though appears to be to lower your truck.

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~Robb
'81 Trekker The B4Runner Build
TREKKER Forum
Mini FAQ/Misc Ideas Thread

Victor

The Land Cruiser guys have sliders that have a plate that goes under the cat. I suppose that effectively blocks dropping the cat on that design even if it is cut from the exhaust. I wonder why cops aren't busting the recyclers? How many people can walk in with 10 cats and not raise the suspicion of the recycler as to how they got them? Mine hasn't been stolen but its probably a matter of time as I read in the paper all the time about the cops busting cars full of people with 20 cats in the trunk.

The only tip I can give anybody is beware of people standing around in a parking lot with their hood open. According to the cops here that guy is the lookout and nobody questions somebody with a hood open looking stressed.

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"Turtle" - Green 94 4Runner
Looks like one and about as fast

JDM altimeter/clinometer, 2002 Sport wheels, 265/75r16 MT/R, , OME stabilizer, BJ Spacers, Cruiser Coils, removed sway bars, rattle can paint for all that peeling clearcoat! Lockright front and rear.

dirtoyboy

toy cats have higher amounts of the good stuff from what I've heard so they are worth more.....

add that to the fact that its a lot easier to cut them out from under a lifted truck and we can see theres a problem

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Low down and durrrrrrrty Rock stacking Web Wheeler.


Locked, lifted, trussed, SASsed, triangulated, dual cased, shaved, armored, gusseted, hydro'd, blacked out, crapped out, mashed up, merderrrrrd out and ready to hit the mall!

It's a Jaap thing....You wouldnt understand

nonamer

I hear those things fetch like $120 average for scrap

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1992 4runner
22re
5 speed Manual
335,000kms

rootedtree

Dang, sorry to hear that!
I live in SoCal and had my cat stolen from my '91 a few months back. Same situation: went to start it and it sounded like a tractor with no muffler. My thief, however, was kind enough to just unbolt it. The brackets and nuts were sitting right under it.

Filed a police report, and the officer informed me of the growing problem, particularly with 4runners.
High ground clearance + bolt on cat = easy pickin's
The officer said that a perp was arrested that same week with 20+ in his trunk. They fetch about $20 at the scrap yard. There's no way that they are worth more for scrap than they cost to begin with.

His advice was to weld the nuts on once I replaced it.

MMA_Alex

we've had the same issue in maine, and they're working on a state law that requires the recyclers to record all the information from each seller, and also to verify that they have the right to sell the cat. Not sure exactly what the details are on how they're gunna identify weather or not its yours, but we'll see what happens.

Its been a bigger issue here at small used car lots, as they tend not to have much in the way of lights/security. Also we have an issue with people breaking into foreclosed, and summer homes, and stealing the wiring too...metal prices

Jay351

Good thing I have an aftermarket

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91 Pickup - xcab - 5sp - 3.0 - SR5 - 4x4 - 250k |2.25" catback w/ magnaflow cat + glasspack | Weasy2k cams | Aisin manual hubs | Diff breather mod| Marlin HD clutch |3" BL | es3000's |2" AAL |1.5" bj spacers | ISR | Alpine headunit | 4" Infinity fronts/5" rears | 4.88's |Rear lockright | 33x12.50" BFG M/T on 15x8" steelies |Hella 500's |4" reverse lights| Grant GT |idler arm brace|hella E-codes| Marlin armor |SS IFS brace | %100 Amsoil synthetic


http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2572486

Spulen81

This is crazy! Glad I have no cat.

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'86 4Runner VW TDI powered