catalytic converter thefts...

kemer · 10-25-2007, 11:27 AM

So the word at work this morning is that people are stealing catalytic converters out of cars. They are melting down the platinum for quick cash. Local police are saying the majority seem to be Toyota trucks and SUVs. Easy access I guess. But why Toyotas? Ease of access?

Looked it up online and sure enough, lots of forums with talk of being victim to it. Seems very popular in SoCal... but not exclusively.

Care to weigh in?

For instance: Catalytic Converter Theft. Toyota Truck/SUV owners beware! - Topix

**fjal** · 10-25-2007, 11:37 AM

Quote:

kemer previously said:

So the word at work this morning is that people are stealing catalytic converters out of cars. They are melting down the platinum for quick cash. Local police are saying the majority seem to be Toyota trucks and SUVs. Easy access I guess. But why Toyotas? Ease of access?

Looked it up online and sure enough, lots of forums with talk of being victim to it. Seems very popular in SoCal... but not exclusively.

Care to weigh in?

For instance: Catalytic Converter Theft. Toyota Truck/SUV owners beware! - Topix

Yea we beat this one to death a few months back.

KarlVP · 10-25-2007, 11:48 AM

They can have my cat. There's nothing in it.

FJ_Marine · 10-25-2007, 11:50 AM

Protecting Catalytic Converter From Theft

AF Chief · 10-25-2007, 12:41 PM

$90 for 60 seconds of work ... maybe they should bust the metal processing center.
ABC12.com: Catalytic converter theft ring broken up

SavageX25 · 10-25-2007, 01:36 PM

I wish someone would steal mine...

Gofasterdammi · 10-25-2007, 01:43 PM

It wouldnt be that easy to steal an FJ's since they are tucked up a little bit. I know earlier Toyota pickups and 4 Runners have the cat hanging down by the transmission crossmember, easy access and quick to remove. I wonder if the thieves know that every 03 and up full size diesel (Ford Powerstroke, Chevy Duramax, ect) has a really big cat called a Diesel Oxidiation Catalyst. All 08' full size diesels have a DOC and and DPF. A Ford DPF runs around $3,400 due to the size and materials it's made out of. If I had one of those trucks and lived in or parked it in some shady area's I'd throw a spot welt on each nut. In the event you have to remove it for some reason just get out the die grinder.

q80fj · 10-25-2007, 01:47 PM

Quote:

AF Chief previously said:

$90 for 60 seconds of work ... maybe they should bust the metal processing center.
ABC12.com: Catalytic converter theft ring broken up

WOOOW thats in Flint, Mi where im at. Gotta keep a watch out, my fj parks in the heart of the downtown.

AF Chief · 10-25-2007, 02:02 PM

Takes no time with a battery-operated saw and metal cutting blade. Piece of cake on a truck or SUV. As somebody said in the other thread, this is happening everywhere, typically in large lots so they can hit a bunch of vehicles at once.

**Woodsman** · 10-25-2007, 02:38 PM

I haven't heard about any catalytic convertor thefts in this area. I guess the construction sites (for copper) and air conditioning units (for copper) are too easy for now. I'm sure the meth addicts will get to the convertors eventually.