CAT theft

[johnjk]

I spent last Saturday repairing the damage done to my sons CRV when they stole his CAT. All in parts, my labor and expenses to go trailer it home, it cost me over $2300. They may have gotten $20 for the CAT. I installed a Cat Clamp in the hopes of discouraging them the next time. It encapsulates the CAT and suspends it between structural members. Can they still get it? Yes but it will take them more like 30 minutes instead of 2 to cut it free. My hopes are the $225 for the clamp save me another $750 in parts. I hate thieves.

 

[85Hokie]

As much as I hate most California laws and thoughts .........

they may get this one right! maybe?

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a41380161/catalytic-converter-antitheft-law-california/

 

[85Hokie]

I took my truck to a local small time repair shop to have a new entry door handle and some small electrical stuff done (I didnt fell like even messing with it).

A week later -done, I paid and told him that I would pick up Sat.

HE told me that they "drive" the cars OFF the lot to a private place so that the converter would not be taken! He pointed to a honda civic on blocks - the rims/tires gone and he said that the cat was stolen too!

Now there was only like two cars on this lot - two inside the bay - but I think I would get a good camera or a hungry dog on a chain.

I too hate a $@$@$%$%%^$% thief!

 

[fried1765]

I spent last Saturday repairing the damage done to my sons CRV when they stole his CAT. All in parts, my labor and expenses to go trailer it home, it cost me over $2300. They may have gotten $20 for the CAT. I installed a Cat Clamp in the hopes of discouraging them the next time. It encapsulates the CAT and suspends it between structural members. Can they still get it? Yes but it will take them more like 30 minutes instead of 2 to cut it free. My hopes are the $225 for the clamp save me another $750 in parts. I hate thieves.

I never knew that there was such a thing as a CAT clamp.
Glad I leave in an area where such a device is likely not needed.

 

[D2Cat]

Johnjk, I am sorry you and you son have to deal with such characters.

I'm not sure the clamping devise will slow them down much at all.

At my farm I have three water gaps that flow heavy after much rain and their 50-70 feet across. To keep cattle on my side I need to have some kind of barrier that is flexible so I hang old gates, panels, etc. I use 5/8" steel cable and wrap it around something solid on both side of the creek. When installing the cable I needed something to cut it so it could be clamped. I had a 4" Makita angle grinder with a thin cutoff wheel. I could cut through that 5/8" cable in seconds!! I was absolutely surprised. I actually packed 4 batteries with me because I had to tromp 200 yards through brush, logs and vines to get to the work area and wanted to have all my tools in one trip.

Perhaps the product you purchased is better material and not easily burnt through.

 

[The Evil Twin]

They were hitting commuter lots in the DC area not long ago. 50 at a time. Heathens.

 

[m-m-m-myKubota]

Detect the person/activity under the vehicle, then an automated trigger system.

What could go wrong?

 

[Flintknapper]

Thieves will just sell them in another State.

And apparently the 'Gov' doesn't know much about converters:

Gov. Newsom appeared on video via social media today, trumpeting the new protection and explaining to Californians that a catalytic converter is "part of that exhaust system on your car, and it's full of valuable materials that thieves can resell."


Actually the average catalytic converter has a few grams of precious material. But they DO bring good prices for thieves.

 

[Jchonline]

Detect the person/activity under the vehicle, then an automated trigger system.

What could go wrong?

Now that is awesome. I want one!

What could go wrong with 4 jets of gasoline spewing out from both sides of a vehicle! Legal in South Africa!

 

[m-m-m-myKubota]

Now that is awesome. I want one!

What could go wrong with 4 jets of gasoline spewing out from both sides of a vehicle! Legal in South Africa!

I think they use LP. It might work for rodents too!

 

[The Evil Twin]

I think they use LP. It might work for rodents too!

Hey! There is the answer for the chipmunk problem thread

 

[johnjk]

I had to go to South Africa on business back in the 90’s. I had a security escort whose van had that gasoline manifold installed. They also made sure I could handle a 9mm and were able to follow instructions to use it if needed. Always stayed in groups, always had security with us and like it or not we were armed for our own safety.

 

[fried1765]

Johnjk, I am sorry you and you son have to deal with such characters.

I'm not sure the clamping devise will slow them down much at all.

At my farm I have three water gaps that flow heavy after much rain and their 50-70 feet across. To keep cattle on my side I need to have some kind of barrier that is flexible so I hang old gates, panels, etc. I use 5/8" steel cable and wrap it around something solid on both side of the creek. When installing the cable I needed something to cut it so it could be clamped. I had a 4" Makita angle grinder with a thin cutoff wheel. I could cut through that 5/8" cable in seconds!! I was absolutely surprised. I actually packed 4 batteries with me because I had to tromp 200 yards through brush, logs and vines to get to the work area and wanted to have all my tools in one trip.

Perhaps the product you purchased is better material and not easily burnt through.

I just cut a steel cable with my Makita angle grinder also.
Wrapped the spot with duct tape 1st, and then cut through the tape.
Nice clean cut!

 

[Flintknapper]

Now that is awesome. I want one!

What could go wrong with 4 jets of gasoline spewing out from both sides of a vehicle! Legal in South Africa!

Officer....are you SURE I was speeding?

 

[jimh406]

They only steal things that can be sold. In the CAT case, it’s awful that recyclers have gotten away with buying stolen CATs for years.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

that clamps only adds less than 30 seconds to a pro thief's time under the car.
Just need to cut 3 of the cables.....

 

[The Evil Twin]

Just gotta make it more trouble than the next car. Make the hassle unpalatable. It's like swimming with sharks- you don't need to outswim the fish. Just gotta outswim your friends.

 

[PaulR]

that clamps only adds less than 30 seconds to a pro thief's time under the car.
Just need to cut 3 of the cables.....

I was gonna say, that design looks interesting, neat, but after 10 seconds of looking at it I doubt it would slow anyone down very much at all. Maybe an amateur junkie but that's about it. Why not just cut the small hole areas where the cables go through? Looks good on the surface though....that's about it.

 

[My Barn]

I spent last Saturday repairing the damage done to my sons CRV when they stole his CAT. All in parts, my labor and expenses to go trailer it home, it cost me over $2300. They may have gotten $20 for the CAT. I installed a Cat Clamp in the hopes of discouraging them the next time. It encapsulates the CAT and suspends it between structural members. Can they still get it? Yes but it will take them more like 30 minutes instead of 2 to cut it free. My hopes are the $225 for the clamp save me another $750 in parts. I hate thieves.

Too bad dis-honest junk/scrap yards buy them...No market problem gone! Our one scrap yard is so dis-honest the state step in. Years back in Detroit they scraped manhole covers...That said City of Detroit on them!

 

[fried1765]

Too bad dis-honest junk/scrap yards buy them...No market problem gone! Our one scrap yard is so dis-honest the state step in. Years back in Detroit they scraped manhole covers...That said City of Detroit on them!

Only in Detroit !!!