Hi everyone,
I been searching and cannot find a single post, so hopefully this means that catalytic theft is not a problem for the FJs. The reason I ask is because after I install my roof rack, I will be forced to park on the streets of San Francisco. My neighbor has a 2000 4runner and had his cat cut off twice in front of our apartment complex within the past 2-3 years. Otherwise, I might consider getting a skid plate to help protect the cat a little better if is a problem, any suggestions?
My uncle had his cats stolen from his 4Runner as well while he was at work. He told me he installed a locking device that protects the cats from theft. I'm unsure what product he used though. I'm sure a quick Google search will bring up something though.
Exactly what I was thinking. I just wanted to see if any other FJ owners out there experienced it first hand. I slid under my FJ and noticed that half of the cat is blocked by frame, so not sure if that is the reason why they aren't stealing it from the FJs.
I don't have any unfortunate experience with the theft of a catalytic converter. Is the only reason you'd have to park outside is the installation of a roof rack? Do you need the roof rack that badly?
In addition to the theft (or attempted theft) of the converter, what about break-ins, body damage and other deterioration due to being parked outside?
Sounds like a lot of potential problems just to have a roof rack on your FJ! This is, of course, unless there are other reasons you will have to park outside (other than the roof rack).
Question to ask yourself: Is the roof rack worth the above-mentioned possibilities?
In addition to the theft (or attempted theft) of the converter, what about break-ins, body damage and other deterioration due to being parked outside?
...
All of the things you listed above can happen in the parking lot of Walmart or anywhere else for that matter. I may be taking you a little out of context but come on, deterioration from being parked outside? It's a off road oriented vehicle for crying out loud:lol:
I think it's an urban legend. I don't know one person who this has actually happened to ever, and the people who have told me they do know someone, I don't know them good enough to take their word. So my answer is, maybe, but not likely. A thief will make more money and much less noise if they steal your stereo.
Not an urban legend
I know 4 people personally that had their cats stolen. Not FJ's though
2 80 landctruisers. and cannot remember the other 2
If you have full skids, it makes it difficult to steal . it's a big problem here.
If thieves will go to an operating school and steal the a/c units overnight, cats would be a piece of cake :jester:
Look underneath and youll see why- they sit high enough off the ground for theives to slide under and they are right there for the picking...
Theives are pretty smart and know which vehicles are easy. 4Runners are just that. Some vehicles like the Chevy Torrent have two sets and are equally exposed.
Wont be long before they have an ID system embedded.
Toyota's and foreign vehicles in general are targeted because the scrap value is much greater than that of domestic products. Maybe they contain more platinum?? I friend of mine who owns a scrap business told me the Toyota converters can fetch over $100 a piece!
Roseville police reported that last Tuesday night and Wednesday morning at least 14 of the emission control devices were taken from vehicles, mostly Toyota pickups and SUVs.
I also thought the stealing of cats was a myth until my neighbor came home with a very loud Taco. She was at the Dollar Store in a big parking lot. They drive up, one pops out ,rolls under the truck with a sawsall and the cat is gone in seconds. This happened during the day. Tacos seem to sit higher than the FJ so it's easier to get under quickly.
Our work truck had it's cat cut out over the Thanks giving weekend. So it does happen. I'm not worried about mine because skid plates make a great deterrent. :lol::cheers:
Alas, incorrect. I live in Oklahoma City, and it's a major problem here. The oil change place I use had some customer cars parked outside recently.
One of the mechanics came in real early and heard sawing sounds, some sort of hand powered cutting device. He caught a guy cutting the converter off a very low big sedan of some kind--so much for the theory that tall vehicles are the only targets.
He accosted the thief who ran away. The mechanic is a young guy in good shape, but he couldn't catch the thief. Another customer car had the converter cut off, and the big sedan's was almost off. I think they recovered the first one. Police didn't bother to come.
Oklahoma has a concealed carry law, and lots of us have the license and what goes with it. Carjackings have nearly ceased since the CCW law was enacted.
I haven't heard of any FJ's having their cats cut out but we had a string of cat thefts from Tacomas and 4runners from my work parking lot in San Diego. It was happening during the day in a parking lot covered with security cameras. All of the vehicles getting hit were just out of view of the cameras. It was pretty clear that the thieves did their homework and scouted out the area. I believe they were being cut out but the tacoma has a bolt-on cat that is easily removed. Cost my friend a couple hundred to replace his and i helped another friend fashion a pretty elaborate "deterrent".
Hell of a lot easier to steal cats than stereos. All you need is a cordless sawzall and a scrapyard that doesn't give a ****. With stereos you have to worry about glass, alarms... and it can be trickier to move that sort of merchandise than simple "scrap." A poorly monitored dealer lot would seem like a tempting target though as opposed to random cars.
Just remember, only the stupid ones get caught. :worried:
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