Friday 4/8 my catalytic convertor was stolen while I was at work in the middle of the day. 1500 later I have a new cat, exhaust and muffler. I am now looking into options to prevent future thefts. Anyone else run into this or have any ideas as to how to stop it; especially those of us with lifted trucks.

2001 F350

 

You have my sympathy, that sucks.I have heard of coverings which are available to make the job harder for the crook. You may want to search the web and I would bet you will find something. The crooks are even targeting small cars and using a jack to access the cat.
In my state, there is legislation in the works to make this crime a felony IF caught.

 

Thanks, thought I had blew my engine when it fired up.

seems a lot of toyotas are hit, almost everything I have found on the web are for toyotas. There's this thing made out of cables but it looks noisey and like it could catch on things which kinda worries me.

Hoping someone might have some ideas.

 

I looked around too, all Toyotas. Those must have more precious metals inside than other makes. I would go to a muffler or metal fabrication shop and have something cut, fitted and welded into place.Anything can be made custom to protect against thievery. Engraving your license plate number in large visable text on the converter might make a thief look elsewhere.

 

more I think about it, leaning towards a plate either bolted into the frame or with u bolts in case I ever need to get into that area I need to be able to remove it.

damn thieves, all need to be tortured very slowly.

 

Thought I'd bring this theft issue back to the top since the attached link indicates the Ford Econoline is still top ten cat theft target. Anybody install a cat theft deterrent? I don't t want to permanently weld something.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news...n=true#image=1

 

Enterprising crooks can use either a chain type pipe cutter and quietly remove a converter or if noise is not a problem , battery operated drill with a cut off tool, and that can easily cut cables. I believe if the insurance companies had to pay for this damage , they would find a way to get legislation passed so they would not have to pay out a lot of $$$.
What do you think?

 

The only way to put a dent into this activity starts with tightening the leash on the scrap dealers who buy from these thieves.

 

It might cost some to try this , but if the VIN was stamped on every converter , it MIGHT help deter a typical thief. but if they grind the numbers off ,WE GOT EM !!

 

I realize these anti theft devices are only deterrents and my insurance will cover cat replacement minus deductible, but having my cat stolen while traveling away from home is a big PIA. I'm considering CATCLAMP since I don't want a welded cage and can't find a bolt on made specific for my E-150.