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Cat shield anyone?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by cnc97, Mar 20, 2020.

  1. Capcitymuffler

    Capcitymuffler New Member

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    Or everyone could save money and the extreme labor on the install and purchase the original patent pending product cat security™️ That is installed with aluminum and stainless steel hardware that are both corrosion resistant that can be installed in under 30 minutes by a professional With simple tools which doesnt require a tool you will throw across the garage while frustrated and only use once.
     
    Moving Right Along likes this.
  2. wasambi

    wasambi New Member

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    Louvers all the way.. those simple cutouts aren't going to let much airflow in or out and cause way more heat to build up on the catalytic converter..
     
  3. cnc97

    cnc97 Senior Member

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    No thicker then that metal is, it’s not going to be enough to cause an issue.
     
  4. cnc97

    cnc97 Senior Member

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    After a rash of converter thefts in my city, I bought the Auto Defender off eBay. I’ll get some security torx screws and use my rivet nuts that I already have on hand to install it.

    They did arrest one guy, but he obviously had help. He had been turned away from at least one recycler in the area. $12k in sales to one recycler since May. He had sawzall and stolen cats in his possession when arrested.
     

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  5. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    cat defender front plate rear passenger side mounting.JPG cat defender front plate rear passenger side mounting.JPG The rivet is fake, It is cut down and epoxied in place.
     

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  6. Priuuusss

    Priuuusss New Member

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    im wondering if you can provide the sizes for both stainless steel rivets and and washers. im going to do what you recommend but want to make sure i buy the correct sizes the first time lol
     
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  7. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    1/4 inch for the front bolts. 3/16 would work for the others, but 1/4 will works better, if you need to drill holes in the car,s rails.
     
  8. Priuuusss

    Priuuusss New Member

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    I probably should mention that I have a 2nd gen. Does that make a difference or 1/4 still?
     
  9. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Yeah, all 1/4 inch rivets would be the best. They will fit the existing front hoies with no drilling.
     
  10. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Here's what the cat shield from Cap City Muffler looks like installed on the Gen3 ;):

    343FE67F-F17F-495D-A4DC-16EC06FEC40D.jpeg
     
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  11. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Here's a full cat defender shield mounted on Prius v.JPG view of the one installed on my v.
     
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  12. Riparious

    Riparious Junior Member

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    Got my MillerCAT guard installed last night. Painted it orange to liven it up a bit.
     

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  13. Millard Arnold

    Millard Arnold Junior Member

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    How do I get your simple production method, other than reading your post? I have a gen 4 Prius
     
  14. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Can't use rivets on the Gen 4, as they do not come in sizes that large and long.

    Instead of the 12mm head M8 bolts, you can use ones from this set,



    Then, fill the security Torx heads with putty or duct seal like this;

    Gardner Bender 1 lb. Plug Duct Seal Compound-DS-110 - The Home Depot

    To get them off, the thief would have a time consuming and tedious job of digging out the sealant while under the car with a micro flat blade screwdriver. Otherwise, even the correct security bit will just spin on top of the head.
     
  15. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    I purchased a Cap City Muffler Cat Security set for our Gen 3 consisting of the aluminum plates.

    I also have some medium gauge 1/2 inch square stainless steel screen.

    Any thoughts on cutting the stainless steel mesh to match the shapes of the plates and riveting them in-between the aluminum plates and the frame of the car to make it even more difficult to cut through the aluminum plate with a Sawzall?

    The wires should be visible through the fancy cutouts in the aluminum shields and hopefully act as a further deterrent to cut through the shield.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #35 xliderider, Apr 28, 2021
    Last edited: Apr 28, 2021
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  16. cnc97

    cnc97 Senior Member

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    That’s a thought. If the end result makes them look for another target, it’s mission accomplished.
     
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  17. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    There's been a rash of catalytic converter thefts from our parking structure at work. Two Priuses were hit within a week, along with some smash and grabs.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  18. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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  19. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    I have the CUSCO strut tower brace. My dad's friend made and sold the front bar braces. I purchased and installed the strut tower brace, before he came out with the two point under brace.

    From my dad's friend's studies, he discover that both had the same effect of stiffening the strut towers. If I had known this, I would have went with the two point under brace.

    It took me five hours to install the $200+ strut tower brace. I had to disassemble the wipers and the cowl.

    Installed.jpg

    My dad's friend installed his under brace in 15 minutes without even jacking up the car. He sold them for $90 delivered.

    It's live and learn from experience.
     
    #39 Georgina Rudkus, Apr 28, 2021
    Last edited: Apr 29, 2021
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  20. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    It took me a few hours to cut the wires with a hand tool and to bend all of the sharp ends over the edges of the cat shields.

    My hands are blistered and sore, with lots of cuts, scratches, and puncture wounds from the sharp wires.

    But it looks pretty good IMO. As you can see, I decided to put the stainless steel wire on the outside surface instead of the back. 20210501_191426.jpeg 20210501_191447.jpeg 20210501_191455.jpeg

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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