Re: Catalytic Converter Anti-Theft Protection

Ah...how I long for the good ole days of "test pipes".

Non-California cats for a 4-Runner run about 80 bucks. Unless you pay a lot more I wouldn't bother trying to theft-proof it. A righteous thief might slice $800 of your tires when he sees how you want to deny him his fix.

They'll start carrying snips for the cables. Might even make a special trip back with snips.

The cage would have many bars to cut, some bucking the saw blade against the cat or elsewhere. Might have to drill through the floor to bolt in the cage. This entire exercise is too stupid for words, whether it's wrapping a cat with cables or putting a honking cage over it.

The answer is cracking down on the scrap yards with some perp walks.

--Vic

The front market lights alone are good for a grand.

Move someplace where you can park inside?

Or elect folks who aren't worried about hurting feelings...

Vic Smith found these unused words:

Same old thing, druggies need $$$, crooks [read auto parts 2nd hand dealers] need 'stock'!

Nut.

Sorry to butt in desertpile but you may be the nut here.

Just subtract the crime figures attributed to Latino illegal immigrants and their proginy and tell us what you come up with (the answer will be the reduced rate of crime). If you don't think the crime figures would be greatly reduced that would make _you_ the Nut!

dennis in nca

Hey, if everyone used common sense there would be no need for senate committees, think tanks, lawyers, lobbists... We can't have that now can we? :-)

@aemeijers: Parking inside isn't safer. Depending on the garage it could be worse, because the security guard is in on the deal...

Not because of catalytic converter thefts, but scrap dealers around here are now required to get positive ID (as much as a thumb print, so I'm told) from anyone who brings in scrap. Much noise was made about a few who were caught with the guts from heat pumps and the incidence has fallen off sharply. String 'em up and post their heads on a pike; few will follow.

Like all anti-theft measures, all you can expect to accomplish is to get the perp to pick on someone else.

I meant like in a HOUSE, with a GARAGE. One of many reasons I refuse to live in an urban area or an apartment complex any more- I hate getting robbed on a regular basis. BTDT, said the hell with this noise. Costs me a little more money, and an extra ten minutes a day commuting, but I haven't been robbed in over five years here, knock on wood. And I don't have to scrape the car in cold weather. Once in a while, my garage door bounces back open after I press the 'close' button and drive off, and nothing has ever come up missing with it open all day. (or all night when I space out and forget to close it.) There are some advantages to nosy retired neighbors, about half with dogs.

I wouldn't live in a big city on a bet, even if I could find a job that paid enough to offset the higher expenses there.

Of course. I keep my Taco in my garage at home. However, it is still vulnerable when I drive it to work, where it sits unattended for 8 hours a day, at the same spot every day...

OEM ones purchased from a Toyota dealer, sure. Aftermarket units can be found on eBay for $50 each, or about $100 for a pair:

What do you do with your car when you drive it to work or to a store or when visiting friends?

Possibly where you live, but not universally everywhere. Try your math on Detroit.

Cindy Hamilton

Bingo! Moved from SFBA to rural CO Rockies. Shoulda done it 30 yrs ago. Between Fido and Ruger, no one touches cars parked outdoors. ....and I haven't heard a single car alarm in 3 yrs.

nb

Okay, I give up. How does electing "folks who aren't worried about hurting feelings" prevent theft of catalytic converters?

What the bloody f*ck does that have to do with preventing catalytic converters?