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Prius Prime 2017 Catalytic Converter Protection Plate Install

Discussion in 'Prime Accessories and Modifications' started by Georgina Rudkus, Apr 20, 2021.

  1. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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  2. citiprius

    citiprius Active Member

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    May be should install some bombs to blow those guys' head when they try to cut it.
     
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  3. chickenhawk

    chickenhawk Member

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    Thank god its alot easier to install the MillerCat plate on the 2021 model, no drilling required:barefoot:
     
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  4. pghyndman

    pghyndman Active Member

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    Ummm... I can't even find this style plate on the Miller website, which is perhaps why it required drilling to install. The correct Miller Cat Shield is the 2016 - 2021 Gen 4 shield, I got one and it is a no-drill operation. The toughest part is raising the car enough to get enough clearance... so a fat old geezer like myself is better off having a place with a lift do the install.

    The correct plate with holes already aligned with existing rail bolts:

    [​IMG]
     
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  5. chickenhawk

    chickenhawk Member

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    The one in the video might be the aluminum version from the cat shield collection
     
  6. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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  7. pghyndman

    pghyndman Active Member

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    Arrrgh... that's why it was a hassle to install: it is NOT a Miller Cat shield!!! Check the video and you'll find it is a CCM brand shield (VS MillerCat):

    [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  8. chickenhawk

    chickenhawk Member

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    Also the CCM brand is aluminum whereas the one we are using is stainless steel, hence the price difference.

    Cat Security™ 2016-2021 Prius
     
  9. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    If it was my car, I'd install the CCM version or its knock off equivalent using the Miller Cat method with the rivet nuts. To make the screws really hard to remove, I'd fill the heads with putty or sealant.
     
  10. pghyndman

    pghyndman Active Member

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    I suspect Prius catalyst thieves are using Sawzalls capable of cutting aluminum plates like a hot knife going through butter, hence my preference for a much more robust stainless steel shield. Perhaps a truly determined cat-napper could still prevail, but ya' may as well make 'em work for it (on the hope they'll move on to easier prey).
     
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  11. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    That thin stainless steel is easily cut with a battery powered angle grinder and ab abrasive cutoff disc. The edge of the same disc will easily grind off and fastener.

    Why bother with a Sawzall bit to cit off the round exhaust pipe?

    The shield is a
    deterrent. Thieves will most likely go elsewhere.
     
  12. MikeDee

    MikeDee Senior Member

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    I understand grinders don't work well on aluminum because the aluminum loads up the wheel. That's true on a bench grinder but don't know if true using a cutoff wheel.
     
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  13. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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  14. MikeDee

    MikeDee Senior Member

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    So you need a different disc to cut steel vs aluminum. I doubt thieves will take the time to change discs. Or carry two cutoff tools. Discs are slow so I think a Sawsall is the tool of choice.
     
  15. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Not slow at all on thin metal like exhaust pipes. Also, just angle the edge of the disc on any rivet or bolt, and it easily grinds off.

    The aluminum cut off disc will also readily cut stainless steel.