Preventing Catalytic Converter theft

i would start by reading the several cat theft threads. maybe some 360degree camera's?

the wrap around stuff shouldn't be very heavy. someone from LA posted a pic of a metal grid bolted underneath. don't know how effective either is.
i suppose if there are enough pri around, they might just move on to another car?

what about an active proximity theft deterrent system that would sound the horn if someone touched the car?

 

not that i recall reading. it may be more difficult than you perceive. see the london prelims, especially the thread by @Data Daedalus edit: sorry, @Priusinlondon

there are even video's of the thieves doing the dirty deed.

 

as for toyota, i doubt they care, more cat sales.

 

Something like this is probably your only practical choice.......with the sensitivity set down low enough that it wouldn't trigger until something as drastic as jacking the car up happens.

It would need something louder than just the stock horn......because those things can go off for HOURS before anybody pays any attention.

 

Apparently not.
Would you care to venture a guess at what might be required ?
If the thieves are armed with a high speed grinder or a torch what do you think might be a deterrent ??
Hint: There probably isn't one that would be reasonable.

 

> If the thieves are armed with a high speed grinder or a torch what do you think might be a deterrent ??

I'm thinking a sticky gooey substance could be painted on the catalytic converter making it inconvenient to handle. You would need something that doesn't interfere with its normal operation or drip off, but made it a pain to deal with. Anti-climb paint might do it.

 

Guess you don't have much experience with CAT converters.
They get VERY HOT and that idea would only apply until the first time the vehicle is driven.
And then your "substance" might catch fire.

 

Someone just this morning in another thread mentioned CatStrap. It appears to be readily available in the States, but up here in Canada searching amazon.ca all I got was pictures of cute cats wearing straps.

Catstrap is a stick-on kevlar belt with internal steel cable that'll roll. And a warning label.

 

Catstrap:
Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention I Catstrap.net I $89.95

Catclamp:
CatClamp Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention Lock

Catloc:
Catloc – Catalytic Convertor Theft Protection

 

I attached 4'x 6' metal grate under the chassis blocking the Catalytic converter and metal tapping scews to floor rails under car and she's stay put and no one has stolen my cat yet. $35 in parts. Also I used large washers to hold the grate to floor rails. I came up with this solutions after 10 prius on my block had the Catalytic converters we're stolen in one night. Also since I have that many more easier targets they will skip me the next time too.




SM-J737T1 ?

 

Does the metal touch the cat? If it does it could cause a few issues. It would act like a heat sink and might result in the car burning a little more fuel in order to keep the cat at operating temperature. (Conversely a solid shield might trap heat and cause issues in the other direction, but this one is full of holes.) If the cat or car body is a dissimilar metal (for instance, aluminum) galvanic corrosion could occur at the contact points.

What size screws and washers? I have never seen security heads on metal tapping screws, so what is keeping the thieves at bay? Some combination of not wanting to take the time to remove all the screws and fear of the unknown? As in, who knows what else might be under there, best to look for another victim. Must be mostly the latter, as I suspect that a power screwdriver could remove all those screws in about 1 to 2 minutes. The grinder they are going to use to cut the pipe should also be able to remove the screw heads in a similar amount of time.

 

Every delay has a preventative effect.
It's the same as with the locks on your house. You don't need the best locks available, they just have to be better than the locks at the neighbors.
Thieves don't want to go to a lot of trouble of getting to the item they want. If they see a metal shield under the cat they will most likely look elsewhere.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn LYA-L09 met Tapatalk

 

Personally I would remove my cat and replace it for each inspection

can’t steal what isn’t there.

 

Watch a 'pit crew' of parts thieves steal the exhaust off a Prius | Get the latest car news, car reviews, auto show updates, and racing news from Autoweek. News for the auto enthusiast.

These thieves didn't use a grinder and your right if these guys used the grinders or had a dewalt screw driver they can steal my cat no problem. These thieves used: 20v reciprocating saw and car jack. It seems it's tools and methods.
Second question the grate doesn't touch the cat. Its easily 3 inches a way from the cat. My car has been passed up in by thieves and I'm guess because they don't have those tools when stealing cats. I used a flat washer 1 in wide and metal self tapping screws. I did drill a small hole first so the screws can tap the bottom rail easier. Also if you need work done on your car this grate can be removed for service.
I dont promise this method will prevent a thief from stealing your cat all I can say I put this grate on two Prius. These two cars still have their cats and it's been 3 years now in total. If people want to steal my cats they will need more tools. Good luck with a cheaper method. Only wasted $35 and crossing fingers it's been working so far.

SM-J737T1 ?

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Have any more pics of your work? Which sized screws, washer, etc. did you use/buy. How/what did you use to cut the mesh?

 

I'll do a "how to" write up tomorrow with more photos and details you're requesting but honestly I've been attacked by online haters and it makes feel unappreciated and a waste of my time.
I don't promise your cat won't get stolen but my block has 10 Priis and one night all ten got hit. The second time it happened but my Prius was modded with this grate it didn't get stolen and they went after the other 9 easy targets. So take this wisdom with a grain a salt. I have to jack up my car and do measurement for proper write up.

SM-J737T1 ?

 

I've been told spray painting the catalytic converter with BBQ grill paint will also help deter thieves. So maybe painting them and doing that mesh would be a good idea.