I was thinking of covering the connecting pipes and flanges with braided steel cables and holding them in place with stainless hose clamps and bolt on muffler clamps. I thought the mess of dissimilar materials might be visually discouraging and tend to bind the blades of sawzalls.
I've been a mechanic 23 years, They would simply cut the 2 10mm bolts where the spring kit is, not the pipe on the right side. One down cut one up cut, that's how we change center pipes
You're spot on, took me 2.2 nanoseconds to think of that myself. If we thought it a thief would think it and have that out in 30 seconds. Spot welds are easy enough to bust too when welding two different types of metals. Better to run the weld the whole length, but then again, the bolts are easy peasy cutting. Sheering the bolts is even faster than cutting.
My cat on my 2003 Accord was stolen last year. They went overboard. Cut one end at the flex pipe, the other end behind the resonator. Took the whole thing out. Thankfully the car is registered in rural pa, so anything goes as long as it's technically a cat. Got the entire exhaust rebuilt with basically a cat back.
They're case hardened, not that hard to saw through, I've done it many times. You should weld some steel files on there, guaranteed that they won't cut those.
Love it! Yes, after making this video I've started entertaining all types of steel to weld on... love the file blades other than they are thin and maybe don't have the same intimidation factor. But a great idea. I hope you're a subscriber and make those cars last!
@@MojoMagic977 The Pittsburgh 12 piece file and rasp set at Harbor Freight looks like it would be perfect and is $12.99. Granted, it depends on your piping. You may need shorter files for smaller areas... but remember my video on using U clamps ... effective as well. Thanks for watching!
@@TheSwitzAutomotive Is it because steel files, despite being thinner, are harder to cut through than the steel extensions? I checked out the Pittsburgh 12 piece file and rasp set from Harbor Freight, and it says in the description that they're made from high carbon steel. I'm guessing high carbon steel is much stronger than these steel extensions or rebar, but my head can't wrap around the idea that a thin file beats a thick solid piece of steel.
@@H1Productions I think file blades are some of the strongest metals around. I think they (along with hack saw blades) would really fight off the sawzall blades in use now. That said, I think if you welded a bunch of stuff on (extensions, roll bar cage, get creative) I think the Cat thief moves on to the next vehicle. Thanks for watching!
I was in the process of buying chromium steel rods online to weld in my exaust until I seen this. This is actually a better solution. It's going to take them hours to cut through forged tool steel. Thanks for the idea.
Even better are hack saw blades and files ... get creative and make that Cat look like a porcupine! Thanks for watching. I hope you're a subscriber and make those cars last baby!
The connecter bolts are a weak link. I've taken them apart with a sawzall in less than a minute by going through those bolts. And if an older system I've found those bolts about half deteriorated.
Good idea sir. I do not know how to weld therefore.....question: Would JB extreme heat work to bond the tools/hack saw blades/steel files on the exhaust?
I would take the car to a muffler shop that will weld on things like hack saw blades, files, roll bar tubing, etc. Find a shop that "gets it". So many shops are clueless. Spend a $100 and have it really welded on good. JB might work for awhile but will probably eventually fail. With the skyrocketing prices of precious metals I'm telling everyone to weld and clamp like crazy. Make that Cat look like a porcupine and they will probably move on to another vehicle. Thanks for watching! I hope you're a subscriber and make those cars last.
Be creative! Weld on extensions, files, hack saw blades... make that exhaust look like a porcupine. Thanks watching. I hope you're a subscriber and make those cars last.
On top of all that, wrap everything around with barbed wire following razor wire, also you can purchase a set of large sewing needles and weld them onto the converter and pipe sharp end out in about 1 inch interval so they'll think twice before grabbing onto it.
I had a similar idea but was going to use hardened steel rods mounted forward & aft of the converter, HRC60 ¼" diameter, using some high temp epoxy. Welding would be ideal but I don't have access to one. You didn't mention what you used to adhere & it'd be good to know. Also, spray paint & etch vin #. The idea, like you mentioned, is to deter, these guys don't want to spend a lot of time under there & will move on to a softer target. The things we have to to keep these guys at bay.
Good thoughts Steve! I have no problem if someone wants to spray paint and etch... but they want the valuable metals inside the Cat and that won't stop them. Like the steel rods idea! I hope you're a subscriber and make those cars last!
I had the same idea, but to bend tool steel into the contour of the cat assemblies, and send the out for hardening, unfortunately that was very expensive in my area.
Nice work! My theme is weld and clamp all kinds of stuff on... make that Cat look like a porcupine. Thanks for watching. I hope you're a subscriber Swamp Rat and make those cars last!
I've seen a lot of protective devices people use to prevent theft of these items. THIS is most likely the cheapest, yet BEST idea yet. Only he needs to put MORE on it,,like mayby 5-6 all the way around the pipe. Good idea though.
There is no protection for the bolts. Cut through the two bolts on either side of the cat and it will be gone. You have to look at the weakest link in any solution.
That's not a bad plan I did something similar with heavy chain and if they do get it off there's exacto blades welded along the top edge so may find the ends of their fingers under there in the morning, ouch!!
@@scout3058 these guys are scum bags stealing off the working man , they can charge me with what ever ,but these guys aren't going to tell the cops how it happened
The rebar may be prone to rusting more than extensions but my theme is "weld it on baby!" When that crook looks under there I want him to gasp... and know he's in for a major fight to try to take the cat... and move on to the next car! Thanks for watching. Glad to have you on board and ready to make those cars last!
@@TheSwitzAutomotive Rebar could take 50 years to rust to the point of bad integrity. I think the vehicle would be in the junk yard by then. A welded rebar cage would stop any thief in their tracks unless they have an hour or more making awful cutting noises. I remember when it was home A/C's getting stolen now it is convertors. What's next, holding people down to cut out their organs to sell on the black market? Maybe a few of these idiots getting a wake up call from a 9mm will do the trick.
I like my 2009 Prius but iam letting it go because they have stole my cat converter twice in 6 months here in California. Thinking about trading in for a bolt EV. I just put a cat converter shield but its just a detterent. Shops still get cars that had a shield on but did not prevent them from taking cat converter. Even though insurance covers it I still gotta pay $300-500 out of pocket every time they steal
I hear you. Another option is to buy a car that has the Cat as part of the exhaust system in the engine compartment. The Cat theft crime wave is out of control!
"Have fun with your Cat"... weld all kinds of stuff on in "Operation Porcupine". The more you can get the thief to utter "Oh $#1t!" the more you won. I hope you're a subscriber and make those cars last!
My understanding is that salvage yards are not buying these from the thieves. Instead the thieves smash out the honey comb material inside the Cat that contains the precious metals. From there they can melt them down and sell the metals for hundreds of dollars. Keep in mind I'm fine if someone wants to paint their Cat. But I've heard of lots of cases where people painted it, etched their VIN on it, and it still got stolen. Thanks for watching!
They'd still have to cut one other area before the Cat. That's where you want to have stuff welded on and clamped on. Make that sucker a porcupine! The more I'm learning about this situation the more it seems you need to have an aftermarket Cat on the car. For example, a Walker with the sticker removed would be a good choice. When they look at it they would not know if it's a $400 Walker or $100 generic. Either way they are looking at getting very little rhodium in it. They can probably get a gram or more from the OEM Cat (worth almost $400 a gram). Not so from the aftermarket stuff. Thanks for watching!
What does everyone think about putting a few shovels full of spine cactus or bogenvia branches under the vehicle? Once they roll in that..... game over. Someone also said a few shovels of dog poop for them to roll around on.
Ha! Too funny. The problem is that doesn't protect you when you are not at home. You drive over to friend's house to watch a ball game. Your car is on the street for 4 hours. You come out and the Cat is gone... no bueno. That's why I'm a believer in clamps, welding on hardened steel, using a removable cage, get creative! My theme is make that Cat look like a porcupine! Thanks for watching. I hope you're a subscriber and make those cars last baby!
@@TheSwitzAutomotive When I am not at home with my RV I am in it. I am installing a movement-vibration alarm to the cat pipe tomorrow and then putting a lot of bogenvia spine branches under where they can roll onto them. I also have a motion sensor and camera in the driveway by the garage door.
I'd just cut between the flanges....mission complete. Also, a little transmission or power steering fluid, some pb blaster or regular old oil applied a day or two before lets those nuts pop off like rust is lubricant.
The flange is joined by two long bolts. I don't think a sawzall can cut through the bolts (it can cut through relatively thin exhaust piping). So you are probably talking about someone using an angle grinder. And an angle grinder can get through a lot more stuff... including the stuff I talk about welding on. But thieves don't like using the angle grinder nearly as much (for various reasons). Thanks for watching!
@@TheSwitzAutomotive Wrong answer Bob, a sawzall goes right through those bolts with one blade. Those bolts are not hardened steel like your extensions and are pretty soft. The main thing your concept has going for it is that it changes up the routine and these cat cutters have IQs in the mid double digits so they will most likely leave your vehicle alone.....at first. They may be back when they are desperate, but those guys who cut cats aren't the big problem, rather it is the brokers who buy the cats to sell off to the smelters. These shady businessmen make more than 20% from the process and considering a guy making 2k from every 10k put out, some of these people are making that every day, 2 GRAND! There's too much money in this fiasco for it to go away so I cut my own cats (got $1,500) and straight piped the exhaust. I made certain to tap a hole for the O2 sensors for the computer in the engine to mix the proper fuel ratios and both the First truck and Suburu run like champs. I have registered the vehicles outside the smog inspection area so all is well.
Angle grinder with thin wheel will cut through. Sawzal with diablo blade will also cut through relatively quick. There is one material that sawzal nor angle grinder will cut slow if at all, is aluminum. If you bolt on a steel bar across with aluminum round stock inside it, they won't be able to cut through.
Thanks Tony. I've actually been recommending people use hack saw blades and files. Very strong steel. I like the cut of your jib and hope you're a subscriber and make those cars last!
I was also thinking that this would be no defence against a battery angle grinder. But can you describe the aluminium solution in better detail. Are you talking about putting aluminium bar inside steel tubing????
My theme is "get creative". You have your Cat and pipe leading to it and away from it. All that's accessible should be covered with with all types of steel - I actually think hacksaw blades and files (both extremely strong hardened steel) are great. Find a muffler shop. Tell the guy to weld on 5-8 pieces of metal, and make that Cat look like a porcupine. The other day I was at the Toyota dealership getting a part of my Mom's car. I saw they had a "Cat Protect System" for $400 and it was $450 to install it. Ouch! The muffler guy can weld on all types of stuff and probably would do it for $100. Thanks for watching David. I hope you're a subscriber and make those cars last baby!
Yeah my '02 Sequoia has two very easily accessible cats... Found that out a couple months back when I started it up in the morning 😕 and they had been chopped off!
@@stateboy80892 David, did you get aftermarket Cats as a replacement? That's one of the major things you can do to keep them from getting stolen. Cat thieves don't know the metal content of the aftermarket stuff and can't really move those. Remember, they don't want to try to move a "Steel Tube".
Ha! That would look intimidating. However, you don't want to cut yourself when you need to work on your car. My system basically allows you to work on your car or remove the CAT completely if it needs to be changed out due to age. Thanks for watching. I hope you're a subscriber and make those cars last!
They rarely use an angle grinder. The most often used tools are the sawsall and pipe cutter. But if you want to take it up a notch weld on files and hack saw blades. Thanks for watching! Makes those cars last ACDC... rock on!
I've seen guys doing the roll cage Wesley. But what do you do when it's time to change out your cat. How do you get the cage off? I believe that hack saw blades or rebar or files or anything else, properly welded on, are not going to fall off. Thanks for watching, I hope you're a subscriber and make those cars last!
@@TheSwitzAutomotive i here and been doing it for few years and just more effective cheap hard to cut I have my E 07 Sc set up as for chase car work with my motocrane srm and there times I just have park it outside. it's super eazy tac right or have you muffler shop do it. Or run security skid plate like I been doing know for types driving i dot in the E for my comercial work i shoot
You can still cut the bolts off on the side where the nut is and it will come right off. I had to install a new cat converter for a customer and the bolts were cut off with an angle grinder. Good idea though for the thieves that are in a hurry.
Totally agree. If they are willing to use an angle grinder then they are big league thieves... my purpose was to come up with a system to defeat the more commonly used tools. Thanks for watching!
Right. I talk about the cage in the video. My only issue with a cage is that if you need to change out the Cat you have to have the cage removed. That's why I prefer having hack saw blades, files, or any other hardened steel welded onto the pipe. In other words, you should structure this so there's no place a Cat thief can cut off the pipe to remove the Cat. He would have to cut through hardened steel (hack saw blades, files, etc). This is extremely hard to do with the battery powered sawzall they use now. Thanks for watching!
Very strange given how hard exhaust work is... have you ever unbolted and taken apart the flange? That was a seriously difficult job when I did it. I guess it can still happen, however. Thanks for watching.
That can happen if the bolts are accessible ... the usual method is to take a cordless sawzall and just cut the piping. If they make a quality aftermarket Cat for you vehicle that aftermarket Cat will be far less attractive to thieves. Best of luck and thanks for watching!
If you get an after market car alarm installed with a shock sensor attached to your stock car alarm that came with your vehicle it would help... regular car alarms that come stock on new vehicles do not have shock sensors and they only go off when the doors of cars are broken into or the trunk or hood when your alarm is set.. with a shock sensor set to sensitive mode, if you even kick a tire lightly or tap on the glass of the car that alarm is going off and most likely going to deter the thief!
There's no way my sawzall will cut through my extensions. But if you want to take it up a notch weld on steel files ... extremely hardened steel. Remember my theme is "weld on all types of stuff". Make that pipe a porcupine ... thanks for watching!
@@larrymartines where did you get this motion sensor alarm???? Ive been looking everywhere but can only find vibration sensors that people say dont work well
save yourself the time/tools , a cat thief with a fresh blade can cut through then twist/break all that hard work in a few seconds . i scrap vehicles i have cut off a few cats , good effort though ;-)
Okay well keep in mind the goal is not to be able to defeat 100% of CAT thieves. The average CAT thief has an old dull blade he's already used on 20 other cars, he's got very little space to work under the car, and wants to get the CAT quickly without having to figure out where to cut, what to cut, etc. With the U clamps and stuff I've welded on I believe the average CAT thief will move on to the next car. Thanks for watching!
This is the most absurd idea I've seen so far. What's to stop them from cutting between the flanges? Zip zip and done. Which you unwillingly focus on for most of the vid, ironically!
Because while there are gaps the clamps all push together at the top. You can't plunge cut anywhere on the pipe. And there's only enough room to do a plunge cut. Now if you want to take it up to the next level, run hack saw blades underneath the clamps. Also, because of the crazy increase in value in rhodium I think everyone should weld stuff on (1st video) and put clamps on. Even though you disagree with me I appreciate your feedback and look forward to hearing your game plan for protecting the CAT. Thanks for watching.
You can weld stuff on any way you like. After making this video I discovered the concept of welding hack saw blades and files (super hardened steel). With enough welding I doubt they could hammer them off. But nothing is 100%. Remember, if they REALLY want your Cat they can drag your car onto a flat bed truck and drive away with the whole car. Thanks for your comments. Make those cars last baby!
I was thinking of covering the connecting pipes and flanges with braided steel cables and holding them in place with stainless hose clamps and bolt on muffler clamps. I thought the mess of dissimilar materials might be visually discouraging and tend to bind the blades of sawzalls.
I've been a mechanic 23 years,
They would simply cut the 2 10mm bolts where the spring kit is, not the pipe on the right side.
One down cut one up cut, that's how we change center pipes
thanks for telling the crackheads that secret
Yes what an idiot, revealing to the scum bags how to steal the converter, hope it happens to him.
You're spot on, took me 2.2 nanoseconds to think of that myself. If we thought it a thief would think it and have that out in 30 seconds. Spot welds are easy enough to bust too when welding two different types of metals. Better to run the weld the whole length, but then again, the bolts are easy peasy cutting. Sheering the bolts is even faster than cutting.
That's what I was thinking.
Thanks! Will make it stronger.
My cat on my 2003 Accord was stolen last year. They went overboard. Cut one end at the flex pipe, the other end behind the resonator. Took the whole thing out.
Thankfully the car is registered in rural pa, so anything goes as long as it's technically a cat. Got the entire exhaust rebuilt with basically a cat back.
They're case hardened, not that hard to saw through, I've done it many times. You should weld some steel files on there, guaranteed that they won't cut those.
Love it! Yes, after making this video I've started entertaining all types of steel to weld on... love the file blades other than they are thin and maybe don't have the same intimidation factor. But a great idea. I hope you're a subscriber and make those cars last!
What kind of steel files? Got a link?
@@MojoMagic977 The Pittsburgh 12 piece file and rasp set at Harbor Freight looks like it would be perfect and is $12.99. Granted, it depends on your piping. You may need shorter files for smaller areas... but remember my video on using U clamps ... effective as well. Thanks for watching!
@@TheSwitzAutomotive Is it because steel files, despite being thinner, are harder to cut through than the steel extensions? I checked out the Pittsburgh 12 piece file and rasp set from Harbor Freight, and it says in the description that they're made from high carbon steel. I'm guessing high carbon steel is much stronger than these steel extensions or rebar, but my head can't wrap around the idea that a thin file beats a thick solid piece of steel.
@@H1Productions I think file blades are some of the strongest metals around. I think they (along with hack saw blades) would really fight off the sawzall blades in use now. That said, I think if you welded a bunch of stuff on (extensions, roll bar cage, get creative) I think the Cat thief moves on to the next vehicle. Thanks for watching!
I was in the process of buying chromium steel rods online to weld in my exaust until I seen this. This is actually a better solution. It's going to take them hours to cut through forged tool steel. Thanks for the idea.
Even better are hack saw blades and files ... get creative and make that Cat look like a porcupine! Thanks for watching. I hope you're a subscriber and make those cars last baby!
The connecter bolts are a weak link. I've taken them apart with a sawzall in less than a minute by going through those bolts. And if an older system I've found those bolts about half deteriorated.
Good idea sir. I do not know how to weld therefore.....question: Would JB extreme heat work to bond the tools/hack saw blades/steel files on the exhaust?
I would take the car to a muffler shop that will weld on things like hack saw blades, files, roll bar tubing, etc. Find a shop that "gets it". So many shops are clueless. Spend a $100 and have it really welded on good. JB might work for awhile but will probably eventually fail. With the skyrocketing prices of precious metals I'm telling everyone to weld and clamp like crazy. Make that Cat look like a porcupine and they will probably move on to another vehicle. Thanks for watching! I hope you're a subscriber and make those cars last.
@@TheSwitzAutomotive much appreciation boss! Subbed
I like this idea. Cheap Chrome Vanadium extensions are like 48 hardness and only like $8 for a bunch of 3/8" extensions at Menards.
Be creative! Weld on extensions, files, hack saw blades... make that exhaust look like a porcupine. Thanks watching. I hope you're a subscriber and make those cars last.
On top of all that, wrap everything around with barbed wire following razor wire, also you can purchase a set of large sewing needles and weld them onto the converter and pipe sharp end out in about 1 inch interval so they'll think twice before grabbing onto it.
I had a similar idea but was going to use hardened steel rods mounted forward & aft of the converter, HRC60 ¼" diameter, using some high temp epoxy. Welding would be ideal but I don't have access to one. You didn't mention what you used to adhere & it'd be good to know. Also, spray paint & etch vin #. The idea, like you mentioned, is to deter, these guys don't want to spend a lot of time under there & will move on to a softer target. The things we have to to keep these guys at bay.
Good thoughts Steve! I have no problem if someone wants to spray paint and etch... but they want the valuable metals inside the Cat and that won't stop them. Like the steel rods idea! I hope you're a subscriber and make those cars last!
I had the same idea, but to bend tool steel into the contour of the cat assemblies, and send the out for hardening, unfortunately that was very expensive in my area.
I use half inch steel plates with titanium screws. It's also blast proof if I run over a land mine. 🤣
Nice work! My theme is weld and clamp all kinds of stuff on... make that Cat look like a porcupine. Thanks for watching. I hope you're a subscriber Swamp Rat and make those cars last!
I've seen a lot of protective devices people use to prevent theft of these items. THIS is most likely the cheapest, yet BEST idea yet. Only he needs to put MORE on it,,like mayby 5-6 all the way around the pipe. Good idea though.
There is no protection for the bolts. Cut through the two bolts on either side of the cat and it will be gone. You have to look at the weakest link in any solution.
That's not a bad plan I did something similar with heavy chain and if they do get it off there's exacto blades welded along the top edge so may find the ends of their fingers under there in the morning, ouch!!
Ha! Love it. Yeah, we gotta fire back at these Cat thieves. Thanks for watching Dave. I hope you're a subscriber and make those cars last.
If the cops show up and ask them what happened they won't be able to point a finger at me lol
@@davewoods3543 But the police will be able to charge you with malicious wounding.
@@scout3058 these guys are scum bags stealing off the working man , they can charge me with what ever ,but these guys aren't going to tell the cops how it happened
I like this idea using extensions. How about thick rebar as I’ve seen on other channels?
The rebar may be prone to rusting more than extensions but my theme is "weld it on baby!" When that crook looks under there I want him to gasp... and know he's in for a major fight to try to take the cat... and move on to the next car! Thanks for watching. Glad to have you on board and ready to make those cars last!
Cut right through some rebar. 🧈 This is my favorite one yet.
@@TheSwitzAutomotive Rebar could take 50 years to rust to the point of bad integrity. I think the vehicle would be in the junk yard by then. A welded rebar cage would stop any thief in their tracks unless they have an hour or more making awful cutting noises.
I remember when it was home A/C's getting stolen now it is convertors. What's next, holding people down to cut out their organs to sell on the black market? Maybe a few of these idiots getting a wake up call from a 9mm will do the trick.
This is flipping wicked man
I don't for one minute think that socket extension bars are just case hardened. Mine are marked 'Chrome Vanadium'.
I like my 2009 Prius but iam letting it go because they have stole my cat converter twice in 6 months here in California. Thinking about trading in for a bolt EV.
I just put a cat converter shield but its just a detterent. Shops still get cars that had a shield on but did not prevent them from taking cat converter. Even though insurance covers it I still gotta pay $300-500 out of pocket every time they steal
I hear you. Another option is to buy a car that has the Cat as part of the exhaust system in the engine compartment. The Cat theft crime wave is out of control!
That's brilliant and simple. Thank you for the idea.
"Have fun with your Cat"... weld all kinds of stuff on in "Operation Porcupine". The more you can get the thief to utter "Oh $#1t!" the more you won. I hope you're a subscriber and make those cars last!
I wonder if ceramic coating your pipes would work? They probably only brought metal blades for their reciprocating saws!
Disagree with him about the paint. Most salvage yards will not touch painted cats. The thief will more than likely move on
My understanding is that salvage yards are not buying these from the thieves. Instead the thieves smash out the honey comb material inside the Cat that contains the precious metals. From there they can melt them down and sell the metals for hundreds of dollars. Keep in mind I'm fine if someone wants to paint their Cat. But I've heard of lots of cases where people painted it, etched their VIN on it, and it still got stolen. Thanks for watching!
The places that know they are buying stolen cats dont care about pain.
What if they cut the flange?
They'd still have to cut one other area before the Cat. That's where you want to have stuff welded on and clamped on. Make that sucker a porcupine! The more I'm learning about this situation the more it seems you need to have an aftermarket Cat on the car. For example, a Walker with the sticker removed would be a good choice. When they look at it they would not know if it's a $400 Walker or $100 generic. Either way they are looking at getting very little rhodium in it. They can probably get a gram or more from the OEM Cat (worth almost $400 a gram). Not so from the aftermarket stuff. Thanks for watching!
What does everyone think about putting a few shovels full of spine cactus or bogenvia branches under the vehicle? Once they roll in that..... game over. Someone also said a few shovels of dog poop for them to roll around on.
Ha! Too funny. The problem is that doesn't protect you when you are not at home. You drive over to friend's house to watch a ball game. Your car is on the street for 4 hours. You come out and the Cat is gone... no bueno. That's why I'm a believer in clamps, welding on hardened steel, using a removable cage, get creative! My theme is make that Cat look like a porcupine! Thanks for watching. I hope you're a subscriber and make those cars last baby!
@@TheSwitzAutomotive When I am not at home with my RV I am in it. I am installing a movement-vibration alarm to the cat pipe tomorrow and then putting a lot of bogenvia spine branches under where they can roll onto them. I also have a motion sensor and camera in the driveway by the garage door.
I'd just cut between the flanges....mission complete.
Also, a little transmission or power steering fluid, some pb blaster or regular old oil applied a day or two before lets those nuts pop off like rust is lubricant.
The flange is joined by two long bolts. I don't think a sawzall can cut through the bolts (it can cut through relatively thin exhaust piping). So you are probably talking about someone using an angle grinder. And an angle grinder can get through a lot more stuff... including the stuff I talk about welding on. But thieves don't like using the angle grinder nearly as much (for various reasons). Thanks for watching!
@@TheSwitzAutomotive Wrong answer Bob, a sawzall goes right through those bolts with one blade. Those bolts are not hardened steel like your extensions and are pretty soft.
The main thing your concept has going for it is that it changes up the routine and these cat cutters have IQs in the mid double digits so they will most likely leave your vehicle alone.....at first.
They may be back when they are desperate, but those guys who cut cats aren't the big problem, rather it is the brokers who buy the cats to sell off to the smelters. These shady businessmen make more than 20% from the process and considering a guy making 2k from every 10k put out, some of these people are making that every day, 2 GRAND!
There's too much money in this fiasco for it to go away so I cut my own cats (got $1,500) and straight piped the exhaust. I made certain to tap a hole for the O2 sensors for the computer in the engine to mix the proper fuel ratios and both the First truck and Suburu run like champs.
I have registered the vehicles outside the smog inspection area so all is well.
Angle grinder with thin wheel will cut through.
Sawzal with diablo blade will also cut through relatively quick.
There is one material that sawzal nor angle grinder will cut slow if at all, is aluminum.
If you bolt on a steel bar across with aluminum round stock inside it, they won't be able to cut through.
Thanks Tony. I've actually been recommending people use hack saw blades and files. Very strong steel. I like the cut of your jib and hope you're a subscriber and make those cars last!
I was also thinking that this would be no defence against a battery angle grinder. But can you describe the aluminium solution in better detail. Are you talking about putting aluminium bar inside steel tubing????
Put a couple of tack welds on those clamp bolts !
Never thought of using socket extensions 🤯
My theme is "get creative". You have your Cat and pipe leading to it and away from it. All that's accessible should be covered with with all types of steel - I actually think hacksaw blades and files (both extremely strong hardened steel) are great. Find a muffler shop. Tell the guy to weld on 5-8 pieces of metal, and make that Cat look like a porcupine. The other day I was at the Toyota dealership getting a part of my Mom's car. I saw they had a "Cat Protect System" for $400 and it was $450 to install it. Ouch! The muffler guy can weld on all types of stuff and probably would do it for $100. Thanks for watching David. I hope you're a subscriber and make those cars last baby!
Yeah my '02 Sequoia has two very easily accessible cats... Found that out a couple months back when I started it up in the morning 😕 and they had been chopped off!
@@stateboy80892 David, did you get aftermarket Cats as a replacement? That's one of the major things you can do to keep them from getting stolen. Cat thieves don't know the metal content of the aftermarket stuff and can't really move those. Remember, they don't want to try to move a "Steel Tube".
wrap the pipes with concertina wire. Dude is bound to get cut once.
Ha! That would look intimidating. However, you don't want to cut yourself when you need to work on your car. My system basically allows you to work on your car or remove the CAT completely if it needs to be changed out due to age. Thanks for watching. I hope you're a subscriber and make those cars last!
They will just cut through the old rusty bolts on that joint, seconds with an angle grinder...
They rarely use an angle grinder. The most often used tools are the sawsall and pipe cutter. But if you want to take it up a notch weld on files and hack saw blades. Thanks for watching! Makes those cars last ACDC... rock on!
Gonna wrap medium sized chain around the front pipe and weld the links together. The exposed part is only 2-3 inches, should work good... Ez pz.
Make that exhaust pipe a porcupine!
Thank you❣️
Roll Cage bar been best way for me and faster will not fill off like that woud
I've seen guys doing the roll cage Wesley. But what do you do when it's time to change out your cat. How do you get the cage off? I believe that hack saw blades or rebar or files or anything else, properly welded on, are not going to fall off. Thanks for watching, I hope you're a subscriber and make those cars last!
@@TheSwitzAutomotive i here and been doing it for few years and just more effective cheap hard to cut I have my E 07 Sc set up as for chase car work with my motocrane srm
and there times I just have park it outside.
it's super eazy tac right or have you muffler shop do it. Or run security skid plate like I been doing know for types driving i dot in the E for my comercial work i shoot
You can still cut the bolts off on the side where the nut is and it will come right off. I had to install a new cat converter for a customer and the bolts were cut off with an angle grinder. Good idea though for the thieves that are in a hurry.
Totally agree. If they are willing to use an angle grinder then they are big league thieves... my purpose was to come up with a system to defeat the more commonly used tools. Thanks for watching!
Sir, excellent idea. I thought of welding Bike Steel cable on both side of the pipe. Cutting weld steel pipe can take long time if they can.
That is and excellent idea.
The thieves will be so confused when they see tools welded to your exhaust system that they'll give up their evil ways and turn to Jesus. 😅
I saw on TV news, that there is, what is called, a cage. It suppose to protect the Catalytic converter. Just letting people know.
Right. I talk about the cage in the video. My only issue with a cage is that if you need to change out the Cat you have to have the cage removed. That's why I prefer having hack saw blades, files, or any other hardened steel welded onto the pipe. In other words, you should structure this so there's no place a Cat thief can cut off the pipe to remove the Cat. He would have to cut through hardened steel (hack saw blades, files, etc). This is extremely hard to do with the battery powered sawzall they use now. Thanks for watching!
Thank you for your reply. I appreciate knowing your reply to my comment.
They just unbolted the pipe on my girlfriend's element. Didn't cut anything.
Very strange given how hard exhaust work is... have you ever unbolted and taken apart the flange? That was a seriously difficult job when I did it. I guess it can still happen, however. Thanks for watching.
@@TheSwitzAutomotive pretty crazy, I agree. They only snipped the O2 wires.
Cutting lose bolts is dead easy....
You know yt is hiding your videos on this topic? Esp the one with the u clamps
My catalytic was stolen by taking the bolts off. No cutting
That can happen if the bolts are accessible ... the usual method is to take a cordless sawzall and just cut the piping. If they make a quality aftermarket Cat for you vehicle that aftermarket Cat will be far less attractive to thieves. Best of luck and thanks for watching!
Can a car alarm set off if they cut the cat?
I don't think a car alarm would connect to the Cat. Maybe it's possible but it's not something I have considered.
If you get an after market car alarm installed with a shock sensor attached to your stock car alarm that came with your vehicle it would help... regular car alarms that come stock on new vehicles do not have shock sensors and they only go off when the doors of cars are broken into or the trunk or hood when your alarm is set.. with a shock sensor set to sensitive mode, if you even kick a tire lightly or tap on the glass of the car that alarm is going off and most likely going to deter the thief!
CatEye is a motion sensor under the vehicle that has a 130DB alarm. It's only $180. I am looking into that. Easy to install too.
Those extensions are easy to cut with a metal sawzaw blade.
There's no way my sawzall will cut through my extensions. But if you want to take it up a notch weld on steel files ... extremely hardened steel. Remember my theme is "weld on all types of stuff". Make that pipe a porcupine ... thanks for watching!
I’ve actually done it. It’s not too difficult. Try it. The best thing I found is an alarm with a motion sensor with a 110 dB horn.
@@larrymartines where did you get this motion sensor alarm???? Ive been looking everywhere but can only find vibration sensors that people say dont work well
eBay. A small battery powered alarm with motion sensor. It’s not too bad. You can either glue strong magnets to the unit or use zip ties to secure it.
save yourself the time/tools , a cat thief with a fresh blade can cut through then twist/break all that hard work in a few seconds . i scrap vehicles i have cut off a few cats , good effort though ;-)
Okay well keep in mind the goal is not to be able to defeat 100% of CAT thieves. The average CAT thief has an old dull blade he's already used on 20 other cars, he's got very little space to work under the car, and wants to get the CAT quickly without having to figure out where to cut, what to cut, etc. With the U clamps and stuff I've welded on I believe the average CAT thief will move on to the next car. Thanks for watching!
Dang I wish I could DIY weld 🤦🏻♂️
You don't want them to move on to another vehicle you want them to get caught and put in prison or have a car without a cat ?
This is the most absurd idea I've seen so far. What's to stop them from cutting between the flanges? Zip zip and done. Which you unwillingly focus on for most of the vid, ironically!
Because while there are gaps the clamps all push together at the top. You can't plunge cut anywhere on the pipe. And there's only enough room to do a plunge cut. Now if you want to take it up to the next level, run hack saw blades underneath the clamps. Also, because of the crazy increase in value in rhodium I think everyone should weld stuff on (1st video) and put clamps on. Even though you disagree with me I appreciate your feedback and look forward to hearing your game plan for protecting the CAT. Thanks for watching.
An alarm is all that's needed
a hit with a hammer would break the welds and they would fall off in seconds
You can weld stuff on any way you like. After making this video I discovered the concept of welding hack saw blades and files (super hardened steel). With enough welding I doubt they could hammer them off. But nothing is 100%. Remember, if they REALLY want your Cat they can drag your car onto a flat bed truck and drive away with the whole car. Thanks for your comments. Make those cars last baby!
Ugly but practical.
Tip of the hat to you sir.
That contraption will probable add another 10 secs for the thief to cut. Not worth the effort...
Okay well what's your game plan?
Now thieves get free extension s and the price of extensions have just sky rocketed. Good idea 👍