Converter Stolen? How To Protect Yourself and Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft!
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- Опубликовано: 4 фев 2021
- All the best anti-theft solutions to prevent your catalytic converter from getting stolen. This is a little outside of my typical subjects but after the last video about finding out a fair scrap value from a catalytic converter price list, I found myself in a lot of conversations about the theft of these valuable units. The only sensible thing to do now is show how easily converter theft can be prevented! Some of these solutions are actually really cheap, so with the problem getting worse than ever, here are some suggestions to make sure it doesn't happen to you!
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pass laws that don't allow purchasing of the converters by scrap yards unless attached to the car
Thats impractical. Scrap yards would just pay the scrap weight of the car and keep the cat for themselves. If they have to pay someone to pull it they are making the money off it. Also, cats do go bad and repair shops have them laying around after the repair and cash them in. Also salvage yards get them off right away yet may have the car around for a few years while parting it out. There are a lot of legit reasons to have a pile of cats and salvage yards do copy your drivers license when you bring materials to them.
💀🔫 that is where the problem started because scrap yards, wrecking yards, and used car yards are no allowed to sell used cats any longer - if people are allowed to have easy access to used cats thieves will get into another business (probably stealing tires, maybe?) who knows, but the political mafia saw that coming many years ago, so they bought muffler shops, used car wrecking/ scrap/ yards and cat's factories .... as a result that is why cats are super expensive today 🤠
That makes actual sense lol And also require identification and photographs of the people selling them.
The issue there is there are many legitimate people recycling them as well; garages, DIY'ers. What's needed is proper auditing of the scrap yards.
@@SerenoOunce And how do you propose doing that? They pile them up as they come and then they are loaded into a semi trailer to be hauled off to an extraction facility. These yards process hundreds sometimes thousands a day. They also have cars that come in intact and their employees cut the cats out to extract maximum value prior to the car being fed to the shredder. In fact, I have a 94 Accord on my trailer right now. Its a rusted out WI car that is heading to the scrap and I'll be cutting the cat off to sell seperately. Just sent a pickup load of cats alone in last week that I had been saving til the price was good.
Strengthen stand your ground laws to allow defense of property and you might have some of these junkies realize the risk isn't worth the reward. Or maybe take Narcan off the shelves for a year. Let the problem sort itself out.
How about getting the photo ID of everyone that turns them in at the Recyclers?
They do, a scrapyard takes your name and license plate and ID when you sell to them. Thieves don’t sell to the yard though, they sell to third party amalgamators
how about a claymore that explodes when the cat moves too far from the vehicle
@@thubprint Do thieves steal aftermarket catalytic converter
@@budlight2969 Lol, like a bear mace mine. Just explodes in their eyes
@@budlight2969 claymore no bueno lol
“You could grill steaks on that converter”
-Tony soprano
How about going after the low life companies that buy the converters.
BOOM !!!!! ^
- Dhi2667, if you or I ever bought stolen property, we'd get collard so fast. - Great Point!!!
Yeah
But it's hard to catch THEM
Aren't they trying to make it where if you don't own it you can't sell it so that stealing it will be a waste of time then maybe the BUMS will stop stealing them..I hope boone ever steal mine I hear they cost a lot to get it fixed afterwards
@@robertrubalcaba8050 They also apparently tend to go outside of well regulated areas. UK catalytic converters have been seen in Botswana for instance.
@@robertrubalcaba8050 Turkeys have to have business licenses.
If I ever catch one of them guys under my car the Jack's coming out from underneath it😆
"I don't know how he died officer. Honest. It must have been an accident"
Some prick stole my catalytic converter too. I've since got the following:
New cat (welded)
Anti theft plate
Dash cams
Now getting a tilt sensor too
Might also get a tracker / immobiliser
A cc thief in anaheim ca was found crushed under a car recently
Not much sympathy for him in that comment section
@@snaxcat Read earlier in a post was 'finally some good news out of California'
Something similar like that happened in my neighborhood about 2 months ago. A couple thieves were stealing a catalytic converter off of a car that belong to a business. They put the vehicle on one Jack stand and when they were cutting it off the vehicle moved and the jack stand gave way and fell on the thief squashing the guy and the business owner found him that morning deceased with the car on top of him.
@@snaxcat my catalytic converter got stolen last week smh. Worst part is the police won't do nothing becuase due to covid they can't arrest the guy if they find him. If I catch him again best believe what's gonna get cut off is his hand
Just had mine stolen today. Walked out at 4:30am for work and my car sounded like a motorcycle with a loud exhaust. I knew immediately what it was. I'm so pissed!
Mine today
Same here today
i'm pissed for y'all, i hope Carmar will get them
Same just now! Got out from work and my car sounded like a racecar. It was still there, they just loosened it and couldn't get it!!!!
What pisses me off is that my car was parked a few feet from the entrance to a hospital where there are useless cop and security there all of the time!
@@moriuma558 It's insane how much this is happening today. It cost me $1250 to replace it. It hurt because this was money I was counting on to take my kids out on Father's Day week this june.
Don't get garden hose or any plastics near the catalytic converter as it will melt everything and probably cause a fire or something.
@@poormanselectronicsbench2021 Who?
I was commenting about the person who created the content, you are correct about hoses or plastic near a cat converter, as it is one of the hottest parts of the exhaust pas the exhaust manifolds
@@poormanselectronicsbench2021 Ah okay, lol.
I know you didn't take him seriously I think this guy was just being a sarcastic about the garden hose
Make it a federal and state mandate (in all states) for the metal recycling centers (where these dirt bags will try to sell them at) verify their ID and flag them to the police to be tailed by PI's for anybody "selling" huge quantities of catalytic converters.
Someone just stole mine and my moms just lowlifes I’m so pissed 😡
I use a "Driveway Alarm" from Amazon. I put it under the car aimed at the Cat. The receiver/alarm is in my bedroom. My Glock is by the door. The plan is to puncture the tire of the perp while retaining them. Then let them go ands see how far they can drive.
That’ll definitely do the trick! I think shooting out a tire is more difficult than it sounds though, not that I’ve tried.
I'm just going to open up on their car
You'll get fined just for shooting their car though.... unfortunately
keep a chainsaw by the door.
Cordless drill would puncture the tire just as well.... make sure you get the sidewall so it can't be plugged or patched....
I was reading an article that this guy happened to look out his window and there was a guy underneath his car on a jack cutting his cat off so the owner ran out and let the jack down fast on top of the guy trapping the crook then he called the police and waited for them to get there,
worse in California as they have new laws that allow criminals to just be released without any charge.
the people or should I say the anti American's, who run California would fuck up a cup of coffee.
That's not a surprise California is a nightmare..
Lol no
@@wildbill5670 5th largest economy in the world, loser.
@@jsphotos I guess that is why hundreds of thousands of people are getting the hell out of there as well as dozens of large corporations. The state regulators have lost their minds
I grew up in the Streetss...he is totally Right...if U place a plank, a board, a welded Stainless steel chain, a piece of fence, material cut to size a steel / aluminum plank, a wire mesh bag etc etc...
If thee thieves notice they will take a Long LONG TIME and make lots of NOISE the chances of THEM GETTING CAUGHT IS A LOT HIGH-ER so they will go to '' another car ''...
Get one of those Viper alarms that have tilt sensor. Once they jack the car, siren goes on.
They don’t jack the car though
@@luisgaldamez8686 so how do they get underneath the car?
@@luisgaldamez8686 they have to jack the Prius
@@smttywrbn they have to jack the Prius
Whats a viper alarm ?
Catalytic converters thefts have been a REAL problem for at least 10 years. I mean like a plague of sorts. I lived in an apartment in a city that was a hub of catalytic theft. Within 1 week 4 people in my apt building ( different days mind you ) had them stolen including myself. Within 6 months I came home and passed by 8 cars on blocks wheels tires and catalytic converters removed. In one night!!!!! 8 cars!!!!! It definitely was professionals. My cost $500 bucks. Going price at that time for a stolen one was about $100 bucks!!!!!!
That’s brutal... wouldn’t be surprised if the perps lived in that same apartment!
I think the VIN number should be punched into every converter from the factory. Any scrap dealer buying them should be required to check if it is reported stolen. Anyone turning in a Cat should be a licensed establishment or show a photo ID. The payout should not be immediate until an inquiry is done. Personally, if I catch one of these lowlifes doing this, they will hope the cops show up soon. I've already had one cat sawed off. It is expensive as hell. All to perpetuate their pathetic life.
Take that vin off with a grinder
Excellent suggestions.
Protect yourself from catalytic theft at the garage. If you get an oil change or anything else done and they tell you that you need a new catalytic converter then tell them to you will take the old one and will go for another quote anyway before you buy a new one. If they back off and say 'well there is a little life left in it but most of our customers want to make sure they will pass their next emissions test' then you know you almost paid someone to steal it.
Has that happened??? That’s insane! And a scam like that could actually work too.. no wonder people don’t feel they can trust mechanics
I've never had jiffy lube even check it. They don't do that
make it a federal crime in the USA to destroy an emission device on a vehicle
It certainly should be
That’s kinda dumb because then after market exhaust companies would go out of business
Make it a crime to RECYCLE them, without ID and the vehicle VIN.
I'm pretty sure it already is dude...
Theifs don't follow the law.... You should know this by now.
Thank you for your video. You are correct, all methods mentioned will either deter or slow down an attempted theft of the catalytic converter. All different theft deterent methods will create a greater amount of noise that the thief does not want. Plus I'm sure that they will be going through more than one blade in order to cut through all of the anti-theft devices, thus making the theft less likely and they will move on. I also agree that a car alarm with a motion sensor is an added measure of theft prevention too.
I should really put one on mine lol. Mine are just low-value cats so I don’t think about it, but it’s still a risk
Where would one get that kind of alarm?
Honestly who we should blame is the scrap yards that take them and the online outlets, like sleazebay facebook marketplace, that allow any asshole to list them for sale. If there was no easily accessible legitimate market for them there would be significantly less theft of them. Scrap yards should not be allowed to take them and be mandated to report someone trying to turn them in the same way if you show up with a manhole cover or piece of railroad track. The same for online marketplaces. If you want the theft, the very very expensive to fix theft, to stop then advocate for taking away easy legit routes to get cash for them.
They stole mine from my parking garage in my apt building 2 weeks ago has caused me so much hardship been crying everyday. I have a f condition and a child if they come back I’m ready for them.
I work at a Lexus dealership in Minnesota. The converter thefts have gone way up since last year. We have done over 30 replacements on 2006-2008 RX400h's since December of 2021. Some of the customers have came back a 2nd time😥
Around here it is illegal to sell CATs for scrap unless you are a licensed mechanic or secondary metal recycler. All because people were stealing CATs.
Hmmm... there’s positives and negatives to that. I don’t really think regulation in that way makes a difference, the thieves typically sell to third parties anyway.
@@thubprint Agreed, most laws like this merely impeded law abiding citizens. The crooks just find a work around because that was crooked people do.
@@sharkscrapper Good day A scrapper up , told me he was takimg them down to US, that was before virus. Thanks Also US money.? I don't know
@@donvoll2580 not all states are the same.
Tom R had the best solution I've seen. He is correct a cable is very hard to cut with a sawzall or wire cutter. It is easy with an angle grinder but the best you can do is make it difficult and time consuming so they move on to one thats easier to steal.
Co-worker had his stolen in an employee parking lot just this past Friday, WITH security cameras AND security quards!!! It was a Toyota truck and he said they just unbolted it and were gone in less than 4 minutes!!! Cameras also showed the guy drive in and do a pass on his vehicle. Security did nothing. And no they weren't fired either. Crazy world.
Wonder if Police will catch those responsible. In the UK our Police did not want to do anything when it happened to wife LexusHybrid SUV. And it was very easy because of extra ground clearance. I honestly can't wait for there to be more electric car at least catalytic converter theft will thing past. It's a shame most of Toyota and Lexus in UK are hybrid. So got continue driving older non hybrid model's.
That’s just silly.. if they’re on camera it should be easy right? Well at least they’ll have a record of it so when the individual gets caught they’ll have multiple charges
Mine was stolen from a Hampton Inn parking lot, under the floodlights with high quality cameras. These people are desperate!
@@ellamint360 Drugs. fentanyl. Homeless ex-cons outta prison, can't find a job with a criminal background. It's gonna get worse. This is the new normal.
Alan, no welfare scammers or people out looking for a quick buck are doing it? Hmm. Poor converter thieves. All they need is our hugs and donations... of converters.
The vinyl coating on the steel wire, is that safe to use on a cat being that even with the heat shield it will get hot? Won’t the coating melt?
I awoke to the sound of a cutting metal and ran outside this morning at 2:20am, by the time I was out the thieves were already in their car and driving away.
That’s my fear every night
That's exactly what just happened 2 me literally right now
Great info. Lots of them being stolen on the daily here in Dallas. Can I ask what camera used for this video? The quality is fantastic.
Thank you! I’m using a Sony a6400, with the 16mm f2.8 pancake lens. I’d like to get a sharper faster lens but sony glass is expensive.
Where do I get this one with red I only see the all metal one.
I've dealt with this a few times myself. Some cats just bolt into place. SUVs are also easier targets because of the higher ground clearance.
Any thoughts on the CatStrap? It's steel cables that run the length of the exhaust system and has a motion sensor 130db alarm
Oh I hadn’t seen that one! I checked it out, that actually looks really good. The trick is having something with lots of fibers that would grab the sawblade, and that would work for sure. There’s also the chain pipe cutter though, so as long as it can’t be slid out of the way and the cat removed, I think it would be good.
that is a great plank bro - thieves put a huge magnet over the battery and buya - all your electronics are gone in 2 seconds - then its not only gonna be a 1k bill, may be 5 or 7k - to make it worst they also have scanners lol 😂
I LITERALLY JUST INSTALLED THE CATSTRAP ON MY TRUCK YESTERDAY!! how funny that your brought it up. .. now lets hope it works..
@@TheGOATof909Update? How is it going?
You missed one other way to protect it. Paint it in an unusually coloured high-temperature spray paint and maybe paint on your registration number as well. If it still gets stolen, warn the scrap buyers in your area that whoever brings it in is a thief and police need to be contacted.
Paint would work well. High Temp or not. Even if you use steel letter or number stamps, or even a engraving tool on them to put a rego or vin number on the cat. Not many police officers are going to hit up every scrap yard and look for your cat.Most scrap yard around here in the US now take photos of the people selling them high value scrap items, along with ID and other info. Many are going to a cashless system and direct deposit to help cut down with these problems.
That’s a decent idea, but if it’s worth 1k+ it wouldn’t be a ton of work to wire-wheel any paint and numbers off
@@thubprint True enough. I didn't know they were worth that much. I guess it's a matter of making it more difficult to take yours than the one from car next to yours. As far as I know, converter theft isn't common where I live, thankfully.
thay already know that
Was thinking the same. As mine was nearly just stolen. They got a cut going but I ran out just in time.
Just got my shit jacked near Columbus, Ohio! Catalytic converter theft is on the rise big time. Stay safe everyone.
Ew, crap. Bummed to hear that dude 🙁
Took my this morning!! 😕
@@Anita-iq3yk I got a universal converter welded in its place. The local exhaust mechanic charged $200. He said it would pass an emissions check for vehicle inspection.
@@ellamint360 thanks for the information 👍👍
Don't put rubber hose close to the exhaust system. The hose may start a fire ...
Take the cat off, have a Test Pipe installed. I know this isn't a good solution but, for someone that can't afford either full coverage insurance of to pay for a replacement this may be the only option.
Better yet, have laws that the sellers need to give full verifiable ID, and an explanation of where they received the scrap metal.
My brother in laws Cat just got stolen a few days ago from his 2007 Honda Accord. The replacement estimate is $4,500 parts & labor, and the parts are back ordered 2 or 3 months. This is in California.
That’s a brutal bill for your bro, I’m sorry to hear that. I agree with the test pipe replacement being an imperfect solution, I’d like to think we could keep the cats on the cars still. Nobody would be surprised to learn I’m personally concerned with environmental responsibility!
I think a paper trail is the only way to stop the gravy train. Obviously only purchasing from select sellers won’t change a thief’s ability to sell to a third party, there would need to be paperwork and VIN numbers attached to each unit.
I do NOT support regulation generally speaking, but a lot of people are suffering and it’s gotten out of hand. Manufacturer installed deterrents are the correct solution but that does nothing for the millions already on the road.
Just happened to my parents element. Super sad man..
Frick. Yeah it’s going up all the time now 😞
Great ideals, thanks for this.
Just trying to be helpful! (And be able to tell people where to go when they get salty at me 😆)
My converter got stolen recently smh. Thinking of baiting the thief next time. Best believe what's getting cut off is his hands
Just leave the car 🚗 parked in neutral so the car could land on the thieves
@@brandonharrington6027parking brakes
There’s an easy way to prevent converter theft. Install a motion sensing lift kit on your car, thief goes to cut, sensor is triggered,and BAM! Heard of Venus fly trap? Yeah buddy!!!
You can accessorize by installing an automatic dispenser that will unleash whatever liquid/chemical on said thief once sensor is tripped. Phosphoric acid, sodium hydroxide, 90 weight gear oil, Raid, essence of skunk. You name it!
I like that you added the skunk, gotta keep a non-mutilating option available!
With all the harsh chemicals I listed I figured going with a biodegradable option was warranted 😄
Won't the vinyl on the vinyl coated wire melt?
Just leave the car 🚗 parked in neutral so the car could land on the thieves
Back in 2012 my work surveillance caught someone in a green truck drive through the parking lot cutting converters off of a SUV and driving off. Don't know if the police ever caught them or not. But it's been going on for a while and is no way Drake's fault. Thub is innocent!
Innocent of that anyway! 😂
It's been a thing since the early 2000s explosion in meth use. Probably similar now in high heroine use areas now.
The Meth scrapping boom us what lowered the scrap prices if copper and aluminum
Pretty sure copper has recovered but aluminum prices haven't recovered. They got do much cause the were literally GUTTING houses that were for sale
We had our 3+ miles megaphones stolen when I worked in the gas and oil discovery buisness.
No idea where the hell they fit that much wire but they got a ton that night ..crazy, it's been a lot better in the ohio area that I'm at. It has a opiates issue like everywhere else but the Meth like above mentioned was crazy in terms of thieves. Been pretty ok since 2010 when that fell out of favor here
VERY informative!!! Thanks
I did my best!
Doesn't wrapping the converter up cause it to retain heat?
Nice of you to make this. Thanks
I hope it helps someone!
Thank you. Interesting.
I used 10 u bolts from lowes. Get the ones with the metal plate. 5 at 2.5 inches and 5 at 3 inches. Took me 10 mins to put them on. For added security buy the JP weld and put it on the bolts so it can seem like you weld the bolts on.
That should certainly help! It’s not 100% prevention, but as long as it looks like a real pain to remove it should keep most would-be thieves moving along
Such a useful video--and I love your style! :-) Mine was stolen from my 2005 Honda Accord last week and now I'm shopping for a new car. I called a local muffler shop and was told that covers aren't made for the Honda Insight (which is the next car I want to get). I should show that fool your video!
😂 you can make a cover for everything if you commit! That sucks pretty hard but hey, new vehicles are nice 👍
Great information! Thanks!
Id the thieves have an angel grinder or cutting tool. Dont you think you they might cut thru the cables too?
Absolutely they would. That’s why it needs to look like a huge pain in the butt.
yes they can but if you want to make it hazardous for them, use a thin gauge steel cable. When they cut through it with a zip disk, there is a higher chance the disk picks up the wire and coils up along the shaft and spins in their hands and they wont be in much of a position to get proper leverage or grip on it and a good chance they'll injure themselves. ;) a sawzall will have a problem with the wires because they move with the blade so they'll have to one hand it while trying to hold the wires which is almost as bad. lol so as long as you don't mind some thief's fingers rotting in your driveway, it's all good.
I have loose 1/4 steal cable (6 times) its really hard to cut the loose cable as it moves with the sawzall, and grinder. I have chain links welded to the cat which would have to be cut twice each before the converter was removed, not perfect but in stead of spending 5 times longer messing with my DIY solution wouldnt they just move on to the next simple car.
Yes. Here in Sacramento, CA it's definitely a thing. Toyota Prius's are a target. My 2 dodge caravans (2001 is my scrapper mobile) are relatively safe. Lol
I’ve heard the hybrids are top dollar for sure. The caravan though, yeah they’d be on hard times to risk jail for that one lol
they are targeting any vehicles that is elevated including business trucks!
I’d be wondering if beater vehicles are any more safe.. not sure what makes one cat more valuable than another....
But maybe that’s in the other video.
I thought my 2005 Honda Accord was safe, too. It wasn't. They will take any car with catalytic converter.
Excellent advice , thank you
Trying to help!
Good ideas, thanks
Someone stole my 72 year old neighbors converter and now he sits and sleeps in his car almost every night to prevent it happening again. Wish I caught those thieves
He’s sleeping in his car?? I sure hope somebody catches them ☹️
Attach a container of broken glass above the part the need to cut and then they'll get shards in their eyes.
Catalytic Converters are a manufacturer’s design issue. If manufacturer’s set out to put a stop the this, they can redesign where the catalytic convert is put. There is no reason that catalytic converter can no be placed closer to the engine. My Honda CRV has plenty of room inside the engine bay. The skid plate needs to be made out of metal not plastic. I believe that it shouldn’t take a law to make this happen. Special locks must be installed for the oil maintenance bay on the skid plate.
I’ve looked everywhere for a plate I can’t find any for my Honda CR-V 2011
You guys think scrap yards are honest abe operations? In Detroit people were scraping manhole covers - the city info is stamped on it but they still keep going missing
I think that’s why scrapyards aren’t allowed to purchase them, I don’t understand where someone could sell those, other than for garden path ‘stones’
@@thubprint the big ones don't care - if they did they'd have to turn away half the stuff coming in, at least in the Detroit area most is stolen. They cut and take power drops off of houses
After getting mine just replaced. I just did this today! I had the idea about a week ago. Except I used 3/16 stainless cable that I wrapped around my cat and through two metal tubes, upper and lower cables between the cat and the frame so, 1, it looks like it's welded, 2. They will have a tough time to cut through the tube and the cable inside with a saw. 3. Even if they cut the pipes, the tube doesn't let the get the slack for them to slide cable over the flange on each end of my cat! I left no place for them to get a saw blade or cutters on the cable. It's wrapped tightly and the same clamps you show from home depot are on the top of the cat. And I used JB Weld on the nuts so they can't get a wrench on it. By the time they see my orange cat with the engraved Stolen with my license plate number on it and cable, which they will need to get back out from under the car to see if they have the right tool to cut the cable, they will give up and move on! It would take too much time! FYI: you can't even cut this Cable with bolt cutters. Has to be a very large wire cutters and still would only be able to get the tip of the cutters on it with no bite! I have a 2000 jeep and it's not worth big money like the Prius or Fords!
As dads everywhere would say: that’s not goin anywhere! Beautiful work, probably save you thousands in the long run 👍
@@thubprint. I also put a motion light on a tree next to my car and under the car so it goes off in there face and blinds them. And if they use it to see what their doing, they'll see they cable and give up. They can keep the light, I have another. Lol. And if they leave it, I might have fingerprints?
Would be kool if we could post a pic here.
@@jat-justamaturetech-philpj8285 hey can you make a quick video on how to do this I just had mines stolen 2 days ago and I'm trying to find the best way to protect the new cats
Wouldn't the JB weld on the nuts stop you or your mechanic from removing the cat if you ever need to?
@@logicalblueberry At that time I'd just cut the cable off with a angle grinder.
What if you built a something to lay in your driveway that makes it uncomfortable for a thief to lay on, like a sheet of expanded metal with nails welded to it (mostly in the center, away from tires). I’m thinking about building a wooden “sandbox” that my truck can drive over. It won’t be 100% foolproof but should be just annoying enough to make the thief move on. As long as it doesn’t actually contain sand, it could also be moved easily if needed.
That’s actually a real good idea! You could easily design something that would totally block access to the cat. Wouldn’t help while away from home, but it’s something 👍
@@thubprint I’m more worried about the theft in my driveway. I don’t have a garage. My neighbor across the street had his cat stolen off his RV when they were home during the day. They park the RV in front of their house a few days before the trip and a few days after. The rest of the time it’s in secure storage. I’m thinking my truck will be a victim any day now unless I build my sandbox. I just need a few 2x12’s.
How much to replace on Honda Civic?
Even slowing them down is better than nothing. Also the ones that looks like a waffle is the most valuable.
My alarm luckily went off on Sunday at 5:07 am. No damage but I wanted to find a way to keep him from coming back and be able to take it. I have 3 on my effing car. Thanks for the info.
I sure hope you find something that works for you! Far too many victims already with the prices going crazy
The reason a cable works is be cause it is hard to cut with a reciprocating saw, the cable is a little loose and the blade cannot get a good cut because the cable moved with the blade. I have also seen a wide woven wire strap across the cat and pipe. You also mentioned wrapping a garden hose, not a good idea because the catalytic converter works with high heat. The rubber will burn and cause a dangerous fire. The easiest targets are vehicle with lots of ground clearance, no jack needed. Also extra care should be taken with vehicles with extra high value cats like the Toyota Prius. The recommended method today in Minnesota is to paint it with high vis high temp paint and engrave a name or I’d number on it.
Grinder will cut through that cable and the grinder will also take the vin off and the paint also.
@@ICU-th7qjWhat do you suggest, if you don't mind? Thanks
@@sl4983 if you live in a area without emissions. Cut the cat off and sell it your self just straight pipe in place of the cat. If you want to keep the cat the only thing you can really do is make it difficult for them to get it off. Yes this guys cable idea works but a grinder will cut throw that just as fast as a saw saw would the exhaust pipe. You could weld some heavy gauge sleeves around the ends of the pipe going into the cat and then it would take forever for the saw or grinder to get through that and they would give up or you would find them by then.
I live in Long Island, NY and catalytic converter thefts are rampant. I watched some RUclips videos where razor wire is used. Unfortunately, I don't see that sold at Home Depot or Lowes.
A garage might be cheaper than the insurance.
Like uncle Scrooge Id go with the steel plate and build a safe around my car, keeping my platinum away in my little fort.
Thanks
Build a pvc train horn and mount hidden near cat. Find a tensioned switch so if they yank or cut the hidden wire rope they go deaf...
Fun fact: balance and coordination are directly controlled by your ears... hearing damage commonly results in loss of coordination. Plus brown thief pants are funny.
If nothing else I’m impressed by the ingenuity!
That’s a great idea, unfortunately you would probably end up on the wrong end of a lawsuit if they injure themselves while stealing your stuff
@@justinwells6795
Not in stand your ground states. As long as we follow protocol. Obviously protective measures or defenses need to end with a thief not being able to go to court.
I appreciate your content. But I will warn scrappers, if they steal my cat they’ll lose a hand or go permanently deaf.
And that’s before I am present to cause perforation.
home made land mine in your driveway?
@@hardleecure
You say land mine. Others say active protection systems.
@@robertmclean6629 lol my bad.
If I paint it with a high temp bright color will that make them not want it??
Yeah I think that would help some (would make it really easy to locate under the car 😂) but it still isn’t evidence that ties them to a crime. I’m sure it would make it less appealing but stamping the VIN on it and reporting the crime as soon as it happens is the only way to actually charge them. Anything less isn’t a real risk after they scurry off with it
@@thubprint that's one way I heard that they would know it was stolen. And most of the time they won't even mess with it
Hi mate love your videos big help.I started to pick up scrap resently i live the UK been in the crap yard a few times now first few times got paid good mix metal prices (light and heavy iron) but last time they paid me as light iron for the load prety sure the load was not much different from my last ones i think they just try to rip people of sometimes they told me that push bike is classed as light iron got me puzzled. The way i understand light metal is like washing machines, microwaves the items that can be bend phisicaly, but push bikes, gates are trong metals in my opinion. My question is what items classed as heavy iron? Coz i didn't get many unswers in the crap yard hahaha, anyway going different scrap yard tomorrow hope you can give me some tips thanks :)
I think I was a bit slow to reply to be helpful lol! My yards are all the same, just three types of steel: tin shred/prepared steel/auto cast. Prepared steel is just the thickest kind of stuff, basically everything is tin shred for us (light iron for you). Of course there are many different kinds of steel with different alloying materials and carbon levels etc, but I think they just get so much of it and it’s such similarly low values, it would be silly to test everything and pay different prices for it all. Trying different yards is really all you can do, mine are all the same when it comes to steel though 👌
@@thubprint yeah that make sense actually, thanks for reply i appreciate
strategically place remote controlled exploding packets of hydrochloric acid underneath which explodes during sensing of raw saw blade vibration and sound.
if that seems a bit harsh and undeserving one could use exploding packets of chemical based dye which can only be removed by skin peeling.
Thanks, Thub!
My pleasure 😊
Thanks dude, my cat was stolen off my 4runner less than 12 hrs after I bought her in Reno. I didn't know it was an effing thing! Thanks for the video cheers
same here in northern CA. i have a 3rd gen 4runner. Parked it for one hour. gone
Who else went back to read all the comments? Thanks Thub, I learned a thing or two.... Also think about future access for repair work
I love the comments 😆 it’s a riot sometimes seeing what pops up on the really old vids too.
What do you mean, access, repair work?
@@thubprint when I saw some of those catalytic cages my first thought was "how difficult would that be to take of for repair work on the car. (access to brake lines, wire harnessing, drive axle etc).
Skid plate definitely worth it, even the high quality ones are way cheaper than the catalytic converter I just had stolen
Thub doesn’t steal catalytic converters, he steals hearts
🥰 just yours, beautiful ❤️
@@thubprint making my heart go doki doki
My catalytic converter hasn't been touched for 11 months ever since I installed my millercat catshield! Did a lot of research after getting mine stolen and this is the best one I've found. All the other ones use aluminum rivets to secure the shield into your steel frame but Millercat uses zinc coated rivet nuts to keep the metals separate. When dissimilar metals touch (aka aluminum + steel), it begins a process called galvanic corrosion which will eat away at your vehicle's frame. If you're in salt road states, this is a PSA to you to watch out for products that sell the shield with aluminum hardware. I hope this helps! www.catshield.com
This sounds a bit like an advertisement but it’s full of helpful information so I see no fault here 😄
@@thubprint sorry man. Fed up with the theft going on and $3000 from replacing an OEM cat blew hole in my wallet and my damn soul. I wanted to help share the research I did/the product I ended up with to prevent it from happening again!
Mine was stolen with it
@@lynzthey took the shield?
How about a security system that if the car tilts or rocks an alarm goes off ?
Those would definitely work, but I don’t have much faith in people responding to security alarms
👌great advice - thanks 👍
Doin my best!
Wouldn’t all the vibrating be detected by a car alarm so I think the best thing would be to get an alarm that can feel that
After market alarm that goes off with vibration. Audible and a bright led light underneath the car/suv etc.
I like it!
Excellent presentation.
Thank you! I’m aiming to get better at it 👍
Just had mine stolen 2 days ago in Minneapolis MN. Apparently they like Mitsubishi Outlander Sports. The catalytic converters are on a nationwide backorder and I have wait until March to have the dealer put a new one on costing about $3200
Holeeee cow 😩
There must be some kind of cheapie aftermarket one you could get? Although if you’re under warranty I guess that’s not an option
Criminals, regardless of the crime they commit, want an easy get. If you make your cat harder to steal, a decently smart thief is going to put the car down and go look for an easier target. A stupid criminal is going to be sawing at cables for fifteen minutes.
True!
I got the Stainless steel Cat Shield. Little heavier duty than the Aluminum ones. I have 2 prius's. 1 1/2 hours to do the first. 1/2 hour to do the second after we knew what to do. I think a garage could do it in 20 minutes if they have done a few.
Oh yeah you GOTTA have one if you drive a Prius 🙂
put broken glass in a straight line and park over it straddling it. the glass wont go into your tires but it will make it impossible for anyone to lay underneath your car without getting cut.
That’s some pretty clever low-tech tbh. Depends on your situation of course, I’ve got kids around so I wouldn’t want them getting hurt
@@thubprint that's true. Kids can be an issue.
DNA sample?
You ate always so professional
Ohhh, I’m not -always- professional! 😆
Me: Great video Thub!
My paranoia: *whens the last time I looked under or drove my Jeep*
Honestly I’ve been thinking about it too, I don’t park in any known bad areas but I think we’re at a point where everyone should probably install some sort of deterrent
If your missing it you'll know it. Basically cuts out the muffler. Straight exhaust sound
@@jadrewscrapper8081 Thus I mentioned not having driven my Jeep in a long while. Like many other Jeeps it leaks all over the place so it stays in a parking stall over fall to spring.
2:35 you can’t use garden hose to wrap the cable around the catalytic converter. It gets way too hot and will melt the hose.
3 ways to prevent theft of converter #1 park in locked garage #2 baseball bat #3 my favorite..good ole fashion fire arm!!!!
It’s called a 357 magnum if your caught. Someone better call an ambulance.
Surprised you didn't recommend a car alarm with a tilt sensor.
Most SUV's don't need to be jacked up. So they become an easy target. A tilt sensor wouldn't help in those cases
I had a steel plate made for my Ford expedition and my kia sedona ex van and that's it... it keeps the system protected also from debries which is a really good thing also...
Nice! I think that’s the best way by far
Who made it for you?
i never blamed you, i just like your infor on scrap....thanks for the advice
And thank you for being here 😌
There is a very BIG downside to these cat locks, as soon as the honest thieves see you are trying to outwit them they will damage something else for wasting their valuable time friend of mines did the cat lock only to find his windscreen and all electronic wires cut causing more damage than if he let them take it, the only way this can be solved is if the manufacturer designs them to be anti-theft or make them like the engine block fitted type.
That's ass backward. The thief is actually mad we won't let him steal parts that we worked and paid for?? Stop stealing then. Who are your parents? Not you, that's what I would say to the thief. LOL.
Honest thief is an oxymoron.
Couldn't have said that better myself, they will always find a way to give the victim a run for their money..
It would really be nice to see the pictures of the things you are talking about for longer, provides context to what you are saying and is easier to follow.
Thanks for the free advice! Here’s one for you; although snarkiness and sarcasm may feel clever to you, they make your company unbearable and negative to people around you. Online interactions often seem disconnected from our personalities irl but they still count towards practice hours. Best to practice being informative AND kind, because rude advice is as effective as none at all 💙
@@thubprint no hard feelings. Changed my comment to be more constructive.
Hey all good! I’m just gonna leave mine the way it is otherwise the thread won’t make any sense. I genuinely do appreciate the constructive criticism though and I’ll take it into account on future vids I make in this style. I’ve still got a lot to learn and you took the time to help make me better that this, so thank you 👍
Just happened to me last night !
Ohh... 🥲 that’s trash, I can only imagine how frustrated and angry you must feel
I just pile snow all around the car. That works for all but two months of the year where I live.
Small cage, or welded on re-bar doesn’t prevent. You just cut it farther down the exhaust and take the whole thing. Sometimes you see vids posted of them stealing it and they take the whole exhaust lol
I would not recommend drilling holes in or welding on your frame. The frame can crack and rust.
If you use u bolts its safe.
sure but you can always use really long bolts going into the cabin, thigh them good & weld its ends both ways - you may need to remove carpet and seats too 🤠🕵
When I had my cat replaced(it was stolen) I had them weld 4 chain links to the new cat, ran 1/4 inch steal cable thru pre- existing holes in the fram and thru the chain links loosely , chrimped the cable( its almost impossible to cut the loose cable with a sawzall, and really hard to cut with wire cutters. Welding and drilling in your frame can mess with the tempering of the metal.
Looked this up because I just caught a tweeker trying to steal mine off my truck today, I took two pop shots at him with my AR to scare him, he took off like a bat out of hell and even left his saw and his jack under my truck lol
Or hook a electric fence system to your frame .