I got a call on Wednesday night from a friend the next street over who
> had the catalytic converter stolen off his 4-Runner during the night. >
> Searching on-line, I learned that Toyota trucks/SUVs are a prime target
> for catalytic converter thieves because of the high clearance and the
> ease of unbolting it or cutting the pipe.
>
> I've been looking at the various theft protection devices:
>
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> I'm thinking of just making my own with 5/16" wire rope since all of the
> commercial ones use wire rope too.
>
> Maybe I'm missing something, but I can't see why a few turns of the wire
> rope on the pipe going into each side of the converter, and then
> cross-pattern spiral wrapping of the converter with the cable, then
> running the cable through frame members one each end would not be as
> good as the "cage" of horizontal cables used by the catclamp. I went
> under the vehicle and tried it with rope today to see how much cable I'd
> need. and it looks like about 20' would do it. I might also use some
> steel cable ties to tie the cable together where it crosses.
>
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"> I'd use these bolted "swages" but I can route the cable so these are not > reachable to undo them with wrenches.>
> Any suggestions.
Yeah.
Put air shocks to lift the vehicle a foot, with a electromagnetic release that allows the vehicle to drop suddenly. Then add a trip wire to the catalytic converter. Hang the trapped meat on a hook as an example.