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!

 

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

 

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..

 

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...

 

Then test out the sights on your 357

 

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.

 

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

 

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]

 

Yep, I had mine stolen too. Not fun.

Frank

 

[delete]

 

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

 

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/

 

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!!!

 

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

 

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,......

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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