My wife just told me that her co-worker is driving a 4Runner and a thief stole the catalytic converter from his car. He said there is a trend across the nation lately that thieves are stealing catalytic converter from SUVs (may be it's easier to steal since SUV has more ground clearance), especially Toyota. Is this true? Is there a way that you can do to discourage these thieves?

Jim

 

Been in the news here in TN. People are taking them from mall parking lots. I dont think there is anything you can really do to discourage them.

 

the catalytic converters are loaded with high-dollar alloys. they are selling them to scrap yards after they're stolen. not a whole heck of a lot you can do about it other than parking in a closed garage.

 

have the cat tack welded...its hard to break the weld and you can always grind the weld off if it needs to be serviced

 

or grind the weld off if your a thief. some of those *(&%^*$(* are determined

 

cats and o2 sensors are hot targets for the crooks

 

I have also heard that tailgates are now being targeted by thiefs.

 

they are stealing them from the park and ride lots hear in metro STL.

and its much easyer to cut the wimply exaust tubeing with one of these then it is to fight rusted bolts.

as its virtually silent and quick.

PS they get about $100 a piece scrap for them

 

people here are using sawzalls

 

You could sell your OEM cat yourself and get an aftermarket one that is worth less $$$.

 

A possible solution right here:

 

Atta boy. Surely they are not determined enough to hack up your skid plate...and if they are....hunt em down like dogs, and kill 'em...

...at least thats what I would do if someone hacked up my skidplate...


...If I had a skidplate....


...*cough cough* you know who you are *cough cough*....

 

Wow I didn't know about this. I'm going to go park the 4runner in the garage right now.

 

Old news, there was a write up about 6 months ago or more on this. It suggested you could put a small welld on the bolts making them have to cut it off. Which probably won"t happen if you live in a populated area.

 

 

I agree to that!

The bastages here in Spokane are wrapping a chain around the exhaust system and ripping them out with another car or truck.

12 Gauge would be better however...

 

Cordless Sawzall works much more gooder.

 

I'm not giving any ideas but why dont they just take the whole dam truck then? Man whats it gonna be next?

 

It's happening all over. There was an article in the local paper recently warning people. Two guys were caught about a week later.

Catalytic converters stolen off vehicles; Parts containing precious metals are taken from parking lots, Park & Rides
Paper: Bellingham Herald, The (WA)
Author: Caleb Heeringa Staff
Publish Date: January 4, 2007
Word Count: 543
Document ID: 116B861B82CC2FC0

CALEB HEERINGA THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

Erica Dean knew something was wrong with her Land Rover the minute she started it up after a late night of work Tuesday evening.

"It sounded like a 1962 Volkswagen," Dean said. "Not to mention smelling like one."

Dean is one of a handful of local victims who have had the catalytic converters stolen off their vehicles in the last five months.

 

Spark coil, length of chain, spare battery.

One side of the coil attaches to the frame, the other end attaches to the chain. Drop the chain on the ground and connect the battery to the coil.

If someone touches any metal part of the rig, their arm's gonna hurt for a while.