Protecting catalytic converter from theft?

[LCtwohundred]

Reading the news articles on catalytic converter theft, as well as a constant stream of Nextdoor complaints on this, I was wondering: is the catalytic converter on the 200 series easy to steal?

Is there anything that can be done easily to prevent it? I can park with AHC set to "low", but that's probably still leaves more room than under a Prius.

 

[linuxgod]

Good insurance

 

[sdnative]

120db alarm under the vehicle triggered by a sawzall specific sound sensor?

Aftermarket skidplates?

 

[drfous]

Move

 

[LCtwohundred]

Aftermarket skidplates?

Interesting. I guess this could pay for itself if it prevents a theft even once.

 

[sdnative]

I know that some 80 series sliders had cat protection. I don't recall exactly where the cats on the 200 are but I imagine that they would be protected by aftermarket skids or sliders. Do your own research though.

 

[TLC2013]

The ARB skids provide no protection. Bud Built looks like a great option, their transmission and transfer case skid cover things up well.

 

[linuxgod]

Full skids might be a deterrent, but if a thief already has a sawzall handy I imagine they'd just cut through it around the bolts or whatever to knock them loose.

 

[CharlieS]

LEO friends have told me that in general (same risk as any generalization) people stealing cats tend to go for the easy ones. In and out as quickly as possible. I have to imagine anything that makes the job harder could act as a deterrent.

 

[TeCKis300]

AHC low?

 

[99toylc]

I agree with @CharlieS this is a game of easy hit and run vs labor intensive access and pass as a result of it.
I had skid plates on my old 100 series and never had any issues.

 

[kcjaz]

Full skids might be a deterrent, but if a thief already has a sawzall handy I imagine they'd just cut through it around the bolts or whatever to knock them loose.

that would be a determined thief that doesn't mind making a lot of noise for a long time. You would have to know exactly where they are on a 200 to know where to cut. I would think that one look at the 3/16" SS plate encasing the underside, most would move on. Hey, maybe you could insulate the skids from the frame and run a wire to the positive battery terminal...

 

[MTN2SND]

that would be a determined thief that doesn't mind making a lot of noise for a long time. You would have to know exactly where they are on a 200 to know where to cut. I would think that one look at the 3/16" SS plate encasing the underside, most would move on. Hey, maybe you could insulate the skids from the frame and run a wire to the positive battery terminal...

Any tweaker that trys to cut up my s/s BudBuilts with a Sawzall better be damn quick about it, because they aren't AR500 steel.

 

[bloc]

Park next to toyota pickups.

Besides they’ll just think it’s a FWD highlander with the cats in the engine bay anyway.

 

[CSteppe82]

Any tweaker that trys to cut up my s/s BudBuilts with a Sawzall better be damn quick about it, because they aren't AR500 steel.

Don’t underestimate the power of a crackhead

 

[GordJ]

Park over a chain harrow. AerWay Chain Harrows — Salford Group - https://salfordgroup.com/aerway-chain-harrows

 

[Kilcarnup]

I'd imagine this is such a non event that you shouldn't waste your time worrying about it.

 

[Reckless]

In chicago we are having a car jacking problem even in the suburbs. I love my 200 and want protection for it. I bought a dashcam. My friends think I should get some fire power.

Like A Game To Them': Suburban Woman Attacked During Violent Carjacking At Gas Station
published 5 hours ago

 

[CharlieS]

Two words: situational awareness. Most people do not have it. It saves lives.

 

[unclemat]

Never had a problem and avoid sketchy places, but I am reading it's pretty rampant and can happen quickly, like in mall's parking lot. I recently sold take off OEM cats from my modified Subaru (that has aftermarket catted exhaust) and was shocked at how much $$$ I got for them. So the incentive to seal cats is huge.

I have Budbuilt skids on my 2015, originally were going to transfer them to the 2021 (2015 will be more of a mall cruiser), but in the end decided to get another set. The skids provide excellent coverage and IMO are cheap insurance. I'd rather not deal with disabled vehicle and the inconvenience of having it repaired, especially in the middle of a road trip.

I wish the skids on my Tacoma provided better coverage.