My truck was in a parking lot in Katy, came out to leave and found my Catalytic converters were cut off. Learned that three other Tundra's in the same lot were hit. In Katy beware if you own a Tundra. I was told it would cost around $7000 to repair. There is also about a 3- 4 month back log on the parts. Any suggestions other than dealer to repair would be helpful. How can this be prevented in the future. I reading about a skid plate any feedback. Thanks

rancher1953 said:

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How can this be prevented in the future.

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Don't have cats

7k to repair? I have a hard time believing that. Maybe there is something I don't know but I had two new converters put in on my Silverado at a muffler shop for $450 about 2 months ago.

Maybe they damaged other stuff with the sawsall?

$7K sounds extremely high. Like at least 4-5x too much.

We're having a rash of catalytic converter thefts in my area in Los Angeles. Local PD has worked out some sort of license plate etching program with the local muffler shops to etch your. license plate number onto your catalytic converter.

Quote:

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The top 10 vehicles targeted for catalytic converter thefts have been:

• Toyota Prius
• Ford F250
• Honda Element
• Ford F350
• Honda Accord
• Ford Econoline
• Jeep Grand Cherokee
• Chevrolet Express
• Chevrolet Astro Van
• Ford Excursion

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hunterjr81 said:

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7k to repair? I have a hard time believing that. Maybe there is something I don't know but I had two new converters put in on my Silverado at a muffler shop for $450 about 2 months ago.

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Serious question after reading that list:

How could a thief get under a Prius or Accord to cut off the cat?

Aluminum racing Jack from harbor freight.

The state and feds won't let you repair most exhaust issues. You pretty much have to replace with manufacturers components or aftermarket approved equivalents to comply with the law, and they don't make it cheap. I'd say $7K is way over the top but $1500 wouldn't surprise me.

A 3" EPA approved cat can be bought for like $60 and a California EO approved cat can be bought for ~$185.

Being in TX, OPee can just get some cheap universal cats. However, pipe is even cheaper.

https://www.walkerexhaust.com/support/tech-tips/state-catalytic-converter-guide.html

Yeah, I guess whatever passes inspection..but if it is under warranty they're going to want factory components going back in, most likely.

I redid my Nissan all custom exhaust and there is zero doubt the aftermarket stuff I used was superior in every way to the 20 year old aged corroded tech it replaced, but strictly speaking, the dumb federal law doesn't see it that way. Fortunately enforcement of it is incredibly lax and inept unless someone singled you out to make an example of you.

Magnaflow has direct fit cats with lifetime warranty as well.

Does the warranty transfer to thieves?

Yeah, no way $7K can be right.

A couple of our GMC trucks were repaired in the ~$3k range because the thieves cut into the frame with their sawzall. If they did $7k worth of legit damage to the undercarriage of your truck then I wouldn't be driving it around.

They won't be getting mine on my Ford F250 Powerstroke as its deleted with a tuner.

Some of my family in CA have installed anti-theft plates because their neighbors and co-workers have been getting their catalytic converters stolen. They figured it was just a matter of time until their number was up.

Their local muffler shop installed them. They are basically skid plates that block off easy access to someone with a Sawzall. They are bolt on. It is not fool proof, just makes someone else's vehicle more attractive to steal from.

Good, been waiting on excuse for straights!