Should you buy the MillerCAT Cat Shield catalytic converter anti-theft shield? Review+Install Guide!
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- Опубліковано 30 тра 2024
- LIMITED TIME 5% OFF DISCOUNT when you buy a MillerCAT Cat Shield with the coupon code: JEREMYYING
Purchase link: catshield.com/?ref=cwfLZGRJOgZN2
Catalytic converter thefts have gone up 6000% globally! At this point everyone knows someone whose "cat" has been stolen. Is it time time to fight back and should you buy MillerCAT's Cat Shield? How well does it actually work?? This is an in-depth review of the MillerCAT Cat Shield for the Prius V and a How To installation guide.
00:00 - IT GOT STOLEN
00:31 - Why and how thieves are stealing catalytic converters
01:24 - What is the MillerCAT Cat Shield?
01:55 - Pros
03:54 - How to Install the Cat Shield
08:57 - Frequently asked questions- Answered!
12:06 - More Pros
12:53 - Cons
13:07 - The verdict: Should you buy it??
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Great video and shows detail for install. New Version of CatShield NO longer needs the rivets or rivet gun or drilling. They include a nut plate now that the screws attach to. Also the lock washers were replaced with locktite. I was watching this video and already drilled the hole and installed the rivets, then was like "what is this other plate for?" hahaha.
Yes you are correct! MillerCAT has an updated design which I haven’t tried out yet but I am excited about. I’m going to pin this comment up as a notice to other viewers. Thank you!
Great video. For those questioning about thieves getting the bit to take the bolts off. Try slapping on some silicone on the heads. It will be hard for thieves to get the bolts off with that on them
What brand of silicon?
@@johnedward5656 Loctite was the brand. You can use any brand, its just what I had in my shop. If I have to service my Tundra and get the silicone off I would first try a torch then a wire wheel on a drill or die grinder. The Toyota dealer next town over got hit., 27 cars and trucks and Toyota Cats are on backorder with no arrival date..They had to put aftermarket cats on the ones that got stolen
I was thinking JBweld on the bolt heads to make it a YUUUGE PITA to chip out, but maybe I'll just use a dab of silicone instead, since catalytic theft isn't too rampant in my area.
Since the shield may have to be removed at some time in the future to replace the converter, I elected a two part solution. First, I filled the recess in the security heads with drywall mud. It is just gypsum, like the material inside drywall. That is to keep the head from getting filled with a much more frustrating material: Gorilla Tape. It is about 1/8 inch thick but made of some maddening and incorrigible sticky stuff that is like demonic and very thick tar without the staining and smell. It can be removed by scraping around each bolt head for about five minutes with a screwdriver while it keeps reattaching itself, and spending a few minutes trying to get enough of it off the screwdriver blade to make more progress. Then, if the thief has a pick he can clean the bolt head out and (assuming he has acquired one of the MillerCat security bits from somewhere) remove the bolt. One down, another handful to go depending on the vehicle.
My Cat got stolen in Vegas in the Hotel parking garage. It was a total nightmare! I just got a Cat shield put on at the Toyota dealership. They actually ordered the shield for me and installed it for a total of 300 bucks (part and labor) I had a 1000 deductible and the total cost to replace my cat with labor was $2800 ..stupid thieves. I hate criminals!
Those thieving scumbags can go rot. I appreciate you taking the time to share your cat theft experience. I hope more people see this because this happens every day across North America and it's an all around garbage experience. Get your MillerCAT Shield, people!
are you saying the cat shield didnt work, because the way its worded it sounds like you had the cat sheild put on and your cat was stolen anyway
@@yulog sorry, I didn't word that post very well. My catalytic converter was stolen without a shield on. Since having a shield on I have not had any problems
@@heinzh5687 Okay thanks for the update.
@@yulog I no longer have that specific prius, but have another prius now and had a shield put on this one also and have had no problems either
Crazy how high quality this is. Thank you!
This video was amazing! Just bought myself a MillerCAT shield for my '17 Prius because you explained this so well. I may also install myself since you laid this out perfectly. Thank you!
Thank you for this *really* great feedback and I'm glad to hear that you found this video useful! A tip- make sure your jack stands have adjustable height, because you'll need all the clearance that you can get. The higher your jackstands, the better. And obviously make sure your stands are solid, safe, and secure. If your jack stands aren't very high you'll literally be face-to-face with your undercarriage, and you don't want that. I was wishing that my jack stands were a few inches higher so it would have been easier to maneuver about while sliding beneath. Let me know how it goes, if you decide to go that route.
How’s is going so far since installing your shield?
@@LA-Creative based on the non response, maybe not so good
@@dh-uo4lt oh maybe. I just looked he hasn’t posted in 7 months.
@@LA-Creative I did one last Saturday, and another about a month ago. Each took a couple of hours, mostly squeezing my pudgy self from one spot to another. If I had a lift or my much younger body it would be about half an hour to an hour for each. The actual mounting was simple in each case; just getting in position took nearly all the time.
Great video, well edited and thoroughly explained without being boring. 👍
Your content is amazing. Don’t give up man. This is a million+ view quality vid. Just need more mainstream content
I appreciate your words of encouragement and this really means so much to me. Thank you.
Thanks for the video, just installed mine myself, mechanic was gonna charge 400 for installation, not including the price of the shield. Outrageous for an hour of work
The most in-depth video I've seen thus far. Got one for my Prius!!
Thank you for the great feedback. I definitely noticed there weren't many videos discussing the MillerCAT shield and figured I'd put this one together to help out others.
Did it work?
I just had my stolen two days ago. In my driveway. About 2 am I heard a ratchet wrench sound outside. By the time I got outside they were gone. I should have followed my gut reaction and ran outside quicker . I feel stupid for letting them get away with it. My Ins won't cover it because I only have liability on my older 2007 Prius. I was cursing for several hours Anyway I needed a solution fast due to an urgent need for my car . I heard about the Cat shield and was lucky they had a couple in stock. Its being shipped by air overnight and I am impressed on how fast they shipped it out . Glad Miller Cat Corp created this product. Good job.
Thank you for sharing your experience and glad to hear that MillerCAT pulled through for you!
This a great, thorough video! I wish I watched it before I racked my brain on my purchase decision!
Thank you, and I hope you found it helpful. Even if it just validates your final decision.
i just installed my miller cat shield.. no drilling required and good quality.. the instructions werent very good but the install was easy enough to figure out
Nice video. FYI, my catalytic had the same TD6 on it, so it's not a serial number. My only other comment is that if you're doing this at home, you may need an angle drill unless you want to raise your car really high...
Yeah I think you're right about that. But at least the MillerCAT shield can be removed if a closer inspection is needed for that reason. Also my yellow spray paint cooked/flaked off already (less than a year in) so that yellow spray paint tip can be omitted. Regarding the angle drill- not a bad idea but if your clearance is so low that you need an angle drill your clearance might be too low to get beneath your vehicle. So either jack it up nice and high or just take it to a garage with a lift.
@@JeremyY That was my experience. The ramps in front and jackstands in back barely allowed me to squeeze in. Once I got in position the regular drill fit well enough that I never used the angle drill. As the saying went half a century ago YMMV (Your Mileage may Vary).
thanks so much for this!! my cat was just stolen off crenshaw in la so i just put an order in for this shield!!
Sorry to hear about that but I AM glad to hear that you're not interested in becoming a theft victim again. Screw those thieves man. Give 'em hell.
1:13 Excellent video and thoroughly explained and important questions answered about the MILLERCAT Cat Shield converter shield. Thank you for this video.
Here's a technique that works with all makes and models. Get chicken wire and wrap it several times around your cats and anywhere along your exhaust that can be easily cut. Use twisted steel wire to secure it in multiple places to prevent noise. Saw blades catch on the chicken wire and prevent cutting.
Jeremy, excellent video. I bought two Cats based on your review. Also, Sam at Miller is great too. They are a quality business.
Thanks a lot for this video Jeremy! Your video is well edited and very enjoyable to watch. This content is very helpful and I look forward to seeing more. Can't wait to get my cat shield in the mail!
'Yer makin' me blush
Great video!
I just wanted to add that our local police department went on the news encouraging people to have their VIN # etched and highlighted on their cat. So, anyone who's already doing this might go ahead and etch and highlight their VIN # on their cat as well.
I am not sure how etching the car serial numbers will help if some of these people from the scrap yards could also be working with the cat converter thieves.
@@QyXR2 The police said it helps because A) When they seize stolen catalytic converters, they can tell where they came from. I imagine this in turn helps them identify distribution networks over time, the same as any other stolen goods. B) If they happen to catch a thief who stole your cat earlier that same night, they could actually return your cat to you. You still have to have it reinstalled, but still. C) The reason for highlighting it is because if the thieves see the VIN # etched on the cat, they may just leave and look elsewhere. I don't know how well it'll work. It's a new plan. Still, if you're already having some sort of cat protection installed, I see no reason not to go ahead and do this while you're at it.
@@Trifler500 Sounds good, but by the time the police recovers my stolen cat converter, I probably have sold my car already. Catching cat converter thieves is probably in the bottom of the police's priority list. A better solution is that car manufacturers come up with a new way to make cat converters without the precious metals or eliminate the need of a cat converter all together.
@@QyXR2
- Making catalytic converters that don't need previous metals isn't going to happen.
- Eliminating the need for a catalytic converter = electric car
- We're not talking about a magical solution here. We're talking about doing what we can that's within reason. If etching a Vin # helps at all, I see no reason not to do it. My goal post is not "does it prevent my cat from being stolen", but rather "does this help in any way, shape, or form".
Toyota should be selling their cars with some sort of shield system already in place to begin with. At this point it's an obvious design flaw for it to be so easily removable, considering how common this has become
Excellent video! I referred to this while installing a MillerCat on our 2015 Prius. I will say that the spray paint step did not work for me. It seems the engraved cat serial number on our Prius was not as deep as yours. The paint did not stand out at all.
To avoid hitting the fuel and brake lines, I stuck a piece of wood between the hole and the lines to act as a stopper.
Thank you for the trip report! And for what it's worth that spraypaint engraving part can be skipped. I just checked my cat and the spraypaint that I applied in the video already cooked or flaked off. MillerCAT shield is removable anyway so no biggie.
Excellent idea with the wood stopper, by the way. A small step which can save a lot of heartache.
For the Gen 3 Prius I've had several mechanics tell me that the better option right now is the model from Cat Security, as it has a second shielf piece to go over the end. Apparently this piece is a big help in defeating a would-be thief. I don't own one yet, this is just what I've heard a few times now.
I'm not sure.. I have gen 2 CCM without the extra parts and it got cut through 3 times
Nah, the Miller is much better.
@@KnifeSandwich The Miller has that second piece now. I have a Miller installed now. I waited long enough to get one that the new model came around with that piece.
@@sweepingdenver A good point - this video is a couple years old. I put a MillerCat stainless steel shield on our 2014 Prius about a month ago, and one on our daughter's 2022 Prius last Saturday. Being pudgy made it a bit difficult but if I had another inch of belly room it would have been pretty easy.
Just my opinion: spend the little bit extra for the stainless steel. Aluminum will clog a Sawzall blade, while the stainless steel wears the teeth down really fast. I also am putting Gorilla Tape over the bolt heads. The bolts can still be removed if the thief bought a shield so he could get the security bit, but it will definitely take a while.
In your (excellent) video, you highlighted the fact that your Cat Shield was stainless steel. However, they only sell an aluminum version for the Prius C, which is what I have. Are aluminum plates any less effective in deterring thefts? And why do you think they sell stainless steel plates for the Prius but only aluminum ones for the Prius C? Thank you for this video!
Thank you Nishanth. The stainless steel shield takes longer to cut through than the aluminum shield. But having an aluminum shield is still better than having no shield at all (I highly doubt a cat thief is going to be jumping for joy when he sees aluminum instead of stainless). As to why MillerCAT has no stainless steel for the Prius C- I'm not sure. Miller CAT released their stainless steel versions only recently so maybe it's just a matter of time until one for the Prius C gets released. Just my guess. I'd email MillerCAT directly and ask them if one is on the way.
@@JeremyY Thanks for that, appreciate the info. I'll be sure to email them and ask. But I agree, I think the aluminum plate should be fine and better than not having one at all.
Are these made for non-hybrid cars?
@@joycenaylor4488 There are some, they make them for the vehicles which are most commonly stolen from.
@@maxnuccio2440 My daughter had a converter stolen from her 2008 Honda CR-V while she was at work. She recently traded it in for a 2022 Prius (which she loves!) and we put a MillerCat shield on it last Saturday.
Something I have not seen mentioned in many of the videos is that the kit includes a pair of stickers to put on each bumper to warn off the guys walking around with a Sawzall. Getting through the stainless steel shield would require a whole lot of blades. The SS strips the teeth off in a very few seconds.
We installed ours per the instructions. And it’s rattling. Will try and figure it out tomorrow because it’s pretty loud. I’m sure that’s just a bump in the road though and we will figure it out. Feeling much better about parking in public parking areas.
About that rattling- a few troubleshooting tips:
1) Make sure that your rivet nuts are flush, with no jiggle. There isn't much room for error when pressing in those rivet nuts.
2) Double-check your bolts' torque, and if necessary re-tighten.
Hope this all works out for you. Because while it IS nice to have that peace of mind it'd be even nicer to have that with a quiet ride. Please update this conversation if you end up fixing the rattle I really want to know how it goes for you, German.
Does every shield have the same security screws? Because then a criminal can order a shield and then have the tip to steal.
What happens if you lose the key bit? Can it be replaced with proof of purchase?
Yes it can! You'll need to contact MillerCAT and provide them with your original order# and your info before they send out a new one.
Excellent instructions video! Great job!
Nice review Jeremy! It convinced me to buy one.
Protect ya ride, nephew
What brand of or where get same Rivet kit gun you used ? Thanks
It's a BT-606 manual rivet nut tool. You can find them on eBay if you can't find it locally. Also an important distinction- it is a rivet nut TOOL, not a rivet gun.
Just found out that you can buy the rivet nut tool on MillerCAT's website. highly recommend doing that so you receive everything you need all at the same time.
is each millicat screw unique to each millicat? or can a thief just buy one and now Is able to now steal the cc
Oh man I dunno how to answer this without tipping off would-be catalytic converter thieves.
Hello. I just watched your video. Very informative & made me feel better knowing that there may possibly be hope for my stolen CC. However your video was for the hybrid Prius. My CC stolen was a 2006 Honda Accord. The price was a whopping $360 without installation. So I’m very frustrated about this whole ordeal. Can you give me advice on my car?
Glad you found this video helpful Rhonda but sorry to hear that you got hit. There is hope for you- MillerCAT sells a catalytic converter shield for Honda Accords 2003-2007 2.4L. Follow my link to order one and use the promo code JEREMYYING to get 5% discount:
catshield.com/?ref=cwfLZGRJOgZN2
Yes it does cost some cash but it's worth it. It's either get a cat shield or get your CC stolen over and over again. Highly recommend the stainless steel version over the aluminum.
State laws differ on whether you can get generic (non-Honda) replacement catalytic converter. Whatever you end up doing make sure to buy a MillerCAT shield to put on afterwards to reduce the risk of experiencing another theft.
@@JeremyY Thank you. I’ll let the repair shop know I accepted their recommendation. How can I let them know about the 5% discount. Any little bit counts to me.
@@rhondawilliams8901 You can only use my 5% off JEREMYYING discount code if you buy the cat shield online from MillerCAT's website and have it delivered to your address.
Otherwise you can locate an authorized mechanic in your area who sells and installs cat shields locally using this locator:
catshield.com/pages/retailers-installers
But those local garages do not accept my promo code.
Is there any video in showing that it works?
What’s to prevent the thieves from just buying one and therefore having the screw “key”?
Nothing will stop any thief who really, REALLY wants your stuff. Same reason why a thick-walled safe won't stop a burglar who really wants what's inside of it. The best thing you can do is make itas annoying and frustrating as possible so they look at your vehicle undercarriage and decide "screw it" and go to the next one. It's like home security. And judging from the fact that my Prius' cat is still intact (knock on wood) despite living in an area with plenty of nearby scrapyards and lots of property crime my MillerCAT Shield is doing its job.
I can order that key from Amazon. I can use that key with my impact driver and have those 6 screws out in about 15 seconds. 👍🏼
@@99SVTBolt Check again. You can buy them but they don't fit. They are the standard six flute style; MillerCat is five flute.
Does the stainless steel Model come with stainless steel bolts ??
Yes. In fact both the stainless steel and aluminum shields come with stainless steel bolts.
anyone experienced the exhaust idle louder now with the shield installed and resolution?
That shouldn't be happening. Are you getting a rattle or has your actual muffler output gotten louder?
@@JeremyY slight rattle when hit bumpy rd or when the engine just kicks on... I guess too close to Cat Converter maybe? I need to get it checked out or hopefully can pry it lower
Unfortunately mine got taken two days ago and it cost 4k including labor from local Toyota dealership. Thankfully, my insurance paid for it. I'm planning on getting this product asap. Dealership and most shops were unwilling to install this product but I did find one shop willing. We've been getting hit here in PC, FL a lot recently with these thefts.
Did your insurance rates go up?
What is the gage (thickness) of the shield ?
Stainless steel series = 14 gauge
What is the website to order? I only see it on Amazon. Need it for my Tundra.
You can order it here (affiliate link):
catshield.com/?ref=cwfLZGRJOgZN2
Then navigate to the too main menu > Products > Cat shield by MillerCAT Toyota/ Lexus > Tundra 07-21
Use the coupon code JEREMYYING for 5% off.
Prius cat system is about 800 and then about 400 to install. That was dealer price a year ago. So yeah, it's worth it... edit: and that's if they don't mess anything up when they cut your cat out. Cuz I'm sure they use the utmost care in not harming the vehicle otherwise.
Yeah those tweaker scum bags don’t care what they damage while they hack away at your vehicle undercarriage. At the very least they’re going to damage the oxygen sensor. Save the heartache and get a cat shield.
MillerCat Cat Shield comes in 2 versions for the Generation 2 Toyota Prius. Would you recommend version 2 which wraps around the catalytic converter or over version 1 which
is a flat plate? I'm considering going all out and getting the stainless steel option. Do you recommend buying their "Best Screw" package for extra money?
I love your video. So informative. THANK YOU!
Hi Virginia- I recommend Version 2 of the MillerCAT Cat Shield for the Gen 2 Prius for two reasons:
1) Version 2 comes with the new deadbolt which is an added layer of security. The trickier thieves are circumventing ways to get around the Version 1's flat shield design. Can't have that. The deadbolt prevents this.
2) Version 2's design is drill-less. It only requires two rivet nuts and utilizes your undercarriages existing holes. Much easier to install.
And yes to getting the 'Best' screw package because if some thieving jerkoff is trying to ruin my day I am going to ruin theirs with a security screw that's more difficult to remove.
Glad you found this video helpful. Give those thieves a headache. Tough times coming ahead.
Just an update: the "best screw" is now standard. Definitely stainless steel. Just a few dollars more and it will eat Sawzall blades faster than the Sawzall blades will eat it.
what brand and part number of the paint you used
Rustoleum Painter's Touch 2x Ultra Cover Paint + Primer. Gloss, Sun Yellow. I would have used a high temperature spraypaint but those don't come in the brighter colours. We'll see how this one holds up.
And don't forget ☝anyone with a gen 3 Prius is at high risk of severe damage beyond just the catalytic being removed. Prius gen 3 utilizes the engine coolant system to help keep the converter cool. Two coolant lines are attached to the dual catalytic converter and are often times damaged or cut straight through during theft. This causes coolant loss and could lead to overheating and potentially internal damage if driven unknowingly. For prius gen 3 owners this install should be absolutely necessary. And if your cat is stolen on your prius DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE. Awesome video, OG Bill Nye vibes
Whoh TIL. I'm going to assume that this also applies to Gen 4s? This is valuable info and all the more reason to protect your cat. I thought that only the O2 sensor could be damaged by a messy theft but it turns out there is so much more to it. Thank you for leaving this comment AND for the kind comment. Also do BootySnacks™ come in Fun Sized bags only or also Club Size?
@@JeremyY I just looked it up and yes this also applies to gen 4s and your V as well. The technical term is called, exhaust heat recovery system, on both the gen3, V, and gen4. Slightly improved on the gen 4 but still the same coolant flow through the catalytic. And not positive on the years for prius V but I assume all years. Some insane Japanese engineering mastery right there. So gen 4 and V owners also be advised DO NOT DRIVE if cat is stolen. Sit back and relax with a family size bag of BootySnacks and wait for the tow truck. A video on this subject matter about prius gen 3s, gen 4s, and Vs exhaust heat recovery system would do justice to the prius community. Hit it with the S C I E N C E and give us the precise details
Any available for Kia Niro Hybrid? Asked the dealer and they were no help.
As of now MillerCAT only has shields for Honda and Toyotas. But they do expand their lineup every so often. I'd recommend emailing MillerCAT and asking if they have plans for to release a shield for Kia Niro- if there's enough demand they might develop one.
A lot of dealerships haven't really woken up to the cat theft issue, unfortunately. A local dealership near me only started to take notice after their fleet got hit by cat thefts overnight.
Why are we only talking about hybrids, my 98 jeep cat just got stolen, can I get one of these for it?
You're right, unfortunately high clearance vehicles = easy theft access. It's happening to pickup trucks, too. Right now MillerCAT only makes them for Toyota/Lexus hybrids plus Honda Element. But if I were you I'd contact them and ask them if they plan on expanding their product line to include Jeeps. Maybe if there's enough demand they'll continue to expand their product line to include other vehicle makes. Clearly there's opportunity, here.
Sucks to hear that this happened to you. These thefts are really getting out of hand.
Nice job with the video. I was wondering if they would make the shield with something other than aluminum. It would seem like it would not take long to cut through aluminum.
Thank you for checking out my vid. I agree that it's nice to see MillerCAT offering better material options. Whatever makes it hell for the the cat thieves I'm all for it.
@@JeremyY I went with stainless steel for a few dollars more. YT says this video is from 2 years ago now. The current offerings are really great.
👍🏼 First off great video!! 2nd I thought they make these Cat Shields now for the Prius with no extra drilling needed. Am I mistaken? Thank you again.
That depends on the shield! The MillerCAT Cat Shield for the Sequoia and Tundra is drill-less. But as far as I know the ones for the Prius all require hole-widening at the very least.
@@JeremyY Update: in the intervening years the Prius MillerCat shields I have bought (for 2014 and 2022 Prius) are straight bolt-on, and neither has rattled.
What about oil changes look like u can't access the oil pan?
Nope no problems with that. Oil pan is free and accessible.
Thanks Jeremy. I just ordered and used your discount code. Saved $9 Yay. I was wondered if if should have ordered the custom hardware ( extra $30) and I did NOT. Was that a mistake?
Good question.
Hi Kathy- personally I'd have went with the custom hardware because it uses a proprietary security screw that is only provided by MillerCAT. The standard hardware that you bought is considered tamper-proof, but its bit can be purchased elsewhere. You didn't make a "mistake" by any means but I'm just the kind of person who goes for the added security, no matter how small.
I hope that answers your question. Thank you for checking out this video AND for going through my affiliate link!
@@JeremyY does the box come with the screwdriver for the properiety screws?
I was happy to pay for this thing. It costed me about 1k for a new converter plus the disruption of not being able to drive my car due to the sound/smell.
Can’t put a price on the disruption and frustration of having your cat stolen! Stay safe out there and glad to see you refusing to become the next cat theft victim.
Will the cat shield fit a ford van 350 2012
MillerCAT has specific shields that fit specific models. I highly recommend checking their website to see which models they make shields for. If they don't have one for your Ford yet definitely email them and ask if they have plans to release one. Van fleets could be a good market for this product.
I have the MillerCat shield for Prius C. It sounds like a baking pan under my car when the car flexes, but it comes and goes.
Which material did you install- the stainless steel or the aluminum?
which material used?
Cool. Thanks!!
10:22 Christina, you should know that catalytic converters don't need cooling airflow. Instead, they _prefer_ heat, since it increases the rate of catalytic reaction.
Funny that you say that tho considering cat shields have been known to cause the cat to overheat and break
@@moneybilla The MillerCat shields (current ones, anyway) have cooling louvers. I can't imagine the shields would affect the matrix inside the cats - they are pretty much oblivious of the external temperature once they light off. The temperature is governed by the exhaust.
Address there any videos of people testing and actually cutting through the catalytic converter shield?
I've seen a pic of an aluminum shield (not MillerCAT) brand that got cut through on a Facebook Prius group. So if you're concerned about that go for the stainless steel version of the MillerCAT. They're super rigid and more difficult to cut through.
Aluminum is easy to cut, stainless steel is the way to go. The SS eats blades about as fast as the blades eat the shield. Before I retired I occasionally had to work with SS hardware - I learned to hate it for its stubbornness and difficulty to work.
what is the size of the rivnuts?
Mine were M6 but check the MillerCAT instructions that get shipped with your particular cat shield. It has a list of included hardware that lists the specific rivet nut size.
what would prevent a thief from buying a cat shield just to access the security key? are security keys unique to each shield?
I don’t know Melody sounds like an awful lot of work for the average methhead who runs around hacking things off. And the types who make that kind of life aren’t that interested in that idea of “work” the way you and I are!
I had my catalytic converter stolen in the middle of Dallas and honestly thought about getting a car shield. But isn't it possible for the thieves to just get one and they would have the key to remove the whole thing?
Sure. But it still adds extra steps and the point of anti-theft devices is to make it a pain in the ass/annoying as possible.
Also the methheads in my area who are stealing catalytic converters are lazy scum looking for a quick payday. Ordering the security bit ahead of time is probably more trouble than they're willing to go through.
Also sorry to hear that you went through that.
I considered that, and decided to cover the screwheads with Gorilla Tape (got it at Home Depot but Amazon and probably other on-line places have it too). Getting that stuff loose is maddening - I had to do it once on a wading pool and I finally gave up - but it could eventually be done on a lift with scraping tools and maybe a heat gun. Not standard thief equipment. Even without it the removal would easily triple the time they intended to spend. The shields come with a pair of stickers for the front and rear bumpers to make the vehicle an unattractive target.
I was considering getting the MillerCAT stainless steel version and have received this feedback from another company, can you please comment?
"Unfortunately, we do not offer a stainless steel version for your vehicle Stainless steel retains more heat and has a higher potential to cause damages. We have had feedback from customers stating some stainless shields have overheated their vehicle so they removed it and purchased one of our products."
Just went through a beast of a heatwave (38-40 degree weather) with my stainless steel MillerCAT Shield and have not run into that issue. Spent lots of time on the road in that heat, sat in traffic. No issues. Watch 10:23 in this video which discusses the main benefits of the louver vent design.
What’s up the bandages on your hands?
Once wrapped up my hands and decided that the Egyptian mummy look from 90s cartoons was the way to go
@@JeremyY cool, great job with the video. Keep up the great work.
Can one shoot a thief that is probing under cars whether you have a deterrent in place? If one can't shoot a thief, is it acceptable to chop off one of his hands?
Don't know about that but you can spraypaint a giant middle finger to the underside of your MillerCAT Shield to greet them when they creep under your vehicle.
More fun if you release the jack and have the car land on top of the thief.
I’m gonna try it and let you know lol
Definitely not in the US. I mean, you _can_ but the penalties involve lots of years for malicious wounding or murder.
I think it's a pretty good idea, but realistically if they have the tools to cut the cat off (sawzall/angle grinder) they can cut the heads off the bolts pretty quick. But, that will take more time of course, that is assuming they don't get the bit.....
Yes they can zip off the screws. But like having a locked front door for a house it’s better than having nothing and it does deter certain thieves. And I’ll buy anything that makes a thief’s life more difficult. Screw ‘em.
It would be a real trick to get a shot at the bolt heads. They are smooth and rounded, and in several locations are inside wells in the shield. If you can't get them all you can't get the shield off.
I'm putting Gorilla Tape over the screw heads to make it a truly miserable experience for thieves. I got the tape to repair a swimming pool - it repaired it, all right, but in a couple places it gripped when I didn't want it to. By the time I got it loose I was invoking unholy spirits to smite it.
won't the steel one rust in a few years?
Nope- it’s stainless steel. And from what I can tell it’s good quality stainless steel. Mine doesn’t have a spec of rust ever since I installed mine as shown in the video and I live in a road salt region. Bear in mind that I also wash out the undercarriage every month during the winter and get seasonal rustproofing.
@@JeremyY Thanks. What about rattling noises underneath?
@@EnigmaAbyss Some of the early ones had rattle problems, patched by including rubber pieces. The two I have put in recently don't have anything to rattle.
They should make the edges razor sharp for a better chance to cut up the thieves in the process of steeling your Cat.😃😃😃
Great video! Definitely worth it!
Muffler shops are charging ripoff price on aftermarket cat. 1. Flex pipe $190 ( online $40-90) 2. Two O2 sensors $373 online ( 150$)Same aftermarket cat $900 ( online $400) install $250.00 after paying -1900.00 you gotta take your car to smog referee get the sticker ( time consuming) I’m sure muffler shops are very happy , so much business for them.
Yep and that’s how a cat thief can ruin your day big time. Like getting heisted twice. All the more reason to throw a MillerCAT shield. Life is expensive enough already!
Great presentation Jeremy. 👍Had my Cat Converter stolen last month from a public parking lot.
Do they also make the shield for the Honda Accord 2007?
Thanks for watching my vid and leaving this kind comment, David. The only Honda vehicle that they currently have a shield for is the Honda Element. I'd recommend sending them an email and asking if they plan on releasing one for the Accord:
catshield.com/pages/contact-us
My buddy has his cat stolen off his 2007 accord today. It be nice if they made for Honda.
If a theft wants it badly they’ll take it BUT it’s the time that’s not on their side so yes it’s a deterrent plus the noise it would make removing the shield
For sure. If they are going to try to steal your catalytic converter make them work for it. Most of these low-lifes aren’t very interested in this thing called “work” so make them angry give them a headache.
THEY ALREADY HAVE ALL THOSE KEYS what you do is tack weld the plate on . Or as my friend says know person with an excavator for when you catch them .
It is better to put something over the heads to make it very time consuming. Epoxy would work but I elected Gorilla Tape - if the thieves bring along a scraper of the right shape they could probably get each screw out with less than half an hour work - about three hours for the set. Epoxy would be vulnerable to a grinding wheel, but Gorilla tape will just foul the wheel.
How would I know they won't just cut it with their saw?
Get a stainless steel shield for 'em to chew on and see how they like it
It would take a couple packs of blades and a long time to cut through the stainless steel shield.
All a thief has to do is purchase a miller cat shield and use the proprietary screw driver to uninstall the bolts. Pretty simple. The standard bolts are Torx and can be found everywhere. so, the only solution is to rivet the cat shield onto the car's frame.
That sounds like more work than the typical meth head cat thief in my area is willing to do. There will always be a more determined thief but if the MillerCAT Cat Shield deters most of the bottom feeders I am good with that. Riveting is fine but presents issues if your mechanic ever needs access so they can service your O2 sensor, muffler, or replace your cat if it ever gets clogged. There's always going to be a trade off when it comes to security and safety- you just need to decide for yourself what trade off you are most comfortable with.
Many people are using something to make the heads really tough to access. I'm putting drywall mud in them to make later removal possible, and Gorilla Tape over them to make anybody who tries to get them out rue the day. If the shield needs to be removed I will spend a morning getting the thing off, and it will be that quick only because I will have the tools at hand.
So the thieves can just buy a millercat shield to get a "security bit" and then the shield is useless?
This seems like a pretty big flaw here
The same way a determined house burglar can pick your front door lock if they REALLY want to gain entry. The whole point of a cat shield is to make it as annoying as possible to remove. Most cat thieves want to slide in and out and hack off your cat for a quick and dirty payday. Make em work for it. If you really don't like the removable aspect of the MillerCAT shield you can add some Loctite onto your fastener threads to make it non-removable. Personally I wouldn't do this because so far my MillerCAT Shield has been doing its job, but there is always that option.
Rather than unscrewing them, it seems easier to just grind the heads off with an angle grinder
@@GHinWI grinding makes too much noise and takes too long. Just order the bit from Amazon and use impact driver to remove the 6 screws in under 15 seconds.
@@99SVTBolt Some guys are filling the bolt heads with silicone that stuff is tough to get off. Thieves will have a hell of a time trying to get the bolts off
@@greggo502 I'm filling them with drywall mud to allow for legitimate access with enough patience, and putting patches of Gorilla Tape over the screw heads. it would be hard enough to get off of the first screw that I doubt anybody would want to do the whole shebang.
12:53 complaint?? I'm sharpening mine to a razors edge ! (kidding)
FORBIDDEN FRISBEE
its not just hybrids..trucks in my town are being hit big time.
Damn- did yours get hit? With new hybrid pickups entering the market over the next 2-3 years like the Ford Maverick I hope manufacturers are building in some form of cat theft protection. This is getting ridiculous, now.
Lol that's was literally me the other day when mine got stolen 🤣😂
F
Alumnium is too easy to cut. Why bother?
Go for the stainless steel version. If you can't afford that then go with aluminum- aluminum shield is better than no shield.
I just had a cheap cat shield from amazon installed on my 2019 prius along with welded on cables. My 2014 prius v got hit 2 weeks ago and i have just been informed from the autobody shop that it will take months for a new cat to be installed as they are on backorder. My local toyota dealer told me that they have prius's in their shop that have been there for 9 months waiting for new cats. Legislatures need to make cat thieves FELONS as this long replacement process is putting good hard working people in a financial crisis and some even out of work.
Agreeing with this- but at this point I have given up hope on any legislation being passed to crack down on this infuriating wave of catalytic converter theft. Your best option is to do what is necessary to protect yourself. Many people can’t afford to go through what you experienced- there is $$ cost AND a time cost.
cage type works best
As in- throw the thieves in a cage? Yeah let’s do that
There are other Shields out there that you don't have to drill holes
And which ones are those?
Time marches on. Now ( a year after your comment) there is no drilling, at least for the 2014 and 2022 Prius I have fitted with them.
Toyota Camry hybrid catalytic is all the way up close to the manifold, harder for the thieves.
Like many vehicles today, the Camry hybrid has a pre-cat on the exhaust manifold and a rear cat under the car.
Can't have normal bolts that everyone has tools for
Absolutely not
They look like normal security heads (torx with a nipple in the center) but are not.
They got me at work parking lot. A hospital with cameras everywhere in broad daylight. Jerks
Yeah they operate out in the open. It's getting bad, out there.
Why doesn't this company make these for full size American pick up applications?
I’d highly recommend emailing or DMing MillerCAT on their social media asking about their plans for that. You never know- it might push them to consider expanding their Cat Shield product line to include that!
@@JeremyY It is worth a try...good suggestion.
I thought you were going to try and cut through it at the end of the video lol.
Well I mean…
should I? Because if it helps in any way and gives me a reason to bust out some power tools I’m game.
I bought it for my tundra and the instructions are not good
I'm very pleased with the quality but not the instructions and their customer service
Not too much help
Yeah I had to find some additional photos so I could better understand the installation process for my Prius’ shield. It’s part of the reason why I put this video together. And MillerCAT products are great quality and excellent design but I agree that their instructions could use some improvement. What exactly do you think could be done to improve their instructions?
@@JeremyY a UA-cam video installation on every car model
I did mine my self with no car lift...I was crawling in and out lots of times i used a car jack to hold it in place took me 3 hours but i got it done
My pick up truck has the clearance just barely moving my body under it.
people have a hard enough time keeping their wheel lock keys... now they need a cat shield key...
I mean I totally get protecting it... I would weld a chain to the subframe to boot just for lulz
True! But back in the day people had "the club" (remember that?) which also had its own key. And if you didn't want your stereo to get jacked you had to take off and hide its faceplate. Then door locks had keypads for a short while. Crime has always made things annoying for vehicle owners, whether it's extra keys or hiding faceplates. Gotta keep up with the times or risk losing the stuff you work hard for.
I keep the security key with my spare car keys, hidden in the house. I doubt I will ever need it though; most Prius live their entire lives without ever needing a catalytic converter. My son's 2002 Prius (a sedan that looks like a 4 door Ford Focus of the same year) has the original cat after 220,000 miles.
It's always funny (not really funny, sad actually) to see people who are willing to risk a car falling on them to f over a car owner so they can cash in a cat con for a couple hundred (maybe more or less) to a recyclers with no scruples. Meanwhile it costs the owner thousands to get a quality OEM type back on.
It's amazing though that people go for the cat cons and it's all they seem to know. If you wanted to, you could get a trunk open and snag some tail lights or get some headlights off a car, but degenerates only go for what they can cash in quick and what they hear about selling well.
It's spilled over now to where people will try and sell their scrap cars after they cut the cat off and they act like it's not a big deal to just get an aftermarket one.
Yes this wave of criminal activity has really brought out the laziest “low hanging fruit” criminals. My HVAC professional told me the same thing about methheads who steal AC condenser evap coils.
And about those used hybrid sellers who pre-emptively cut out their cats- I can’t help but laugh at any seller who thinks that cutting out a vehicle component during a supply chain crisis is a good idea.
Yeah exactly. It's more upsetting for me due to the number of people who list "junk cars" for sale. I buy those and either fix them or strip them of parts to sell online and then send the car with engine, transmission, tires, battery, and cat cons to the salvage yard. The salvage yards want the cat cons, so to get them to come pick up the remaining car and pay you $650 or so, it's a bit easier when you still have the cat(s) on the car. But people will list the junk cars and try to say the cats either got stolen or are gone. In alot of cases, I don't believe the cat got stolen. The person wanted some quick cash and then found out the hard way the junkyard told them to f off without the cat and now they try and pass the car off. Haha, yeah, it's the work I do now. I sell just about everything else, but I leave the cats to the masses
But what if the thefs have a scrow drive keys they can easily do what they want 😳
The MillerCAT Cat Shield uses a specialized, exclusive security screw. So thieves can’t just use any screwdriver.
nice of toyota to sell these and charge to install them . forget about making them hard to steal in the first place or including a superior shield in every one of their cars at the factory. its a lousy piece of metal . some classic disaster capitalism at work.its like your laptop has a great channel for liquids to go directly to the circuitboards ! brilliant ! no way they could design that not to happen!!
Companies like Toyota should definitely build in anti theft measures I agree. But even now not a single auto manufacturer has stepped up to the plate. Not Ford, not GM, not Honda. And I don’t see that ever changing. Which is why I’m glad that enterprising companies like MillerCAT are stepping in to fill that need.
Theoretically thieves could just unscrew the shield. It might take them a while but they could still do it.
Sure, but the whole point of any anti-theft device is to eliminate crimes of easy opportunity. And the MillerCAT Cat Shield does exactly this. Theoretically a burglar can drive their car through your front door to render your front door lock useless. Which also means that you're making their burglary more difficult.
Stainless is harder to cut?
Uhhh buddy stainless is weaker than standard steel and actually easier to cut, it just has anti rust and corrosion properties lol
Watch that part of the video again- the video clearly compares the stainless steel vs the aluminum version as those are the only two options available. Not sure why you're bringing up standard steel as it's not even an option with MillerCAT Shield.
I don't think you have worked with it much. It is not only hard, it is rather reactive. It loves to latch onto saw blades and rip the teeth off. Not an issue here, but putting a SS nut on an SS bolt without any lubricant will make a steel thing that will never come apart. There are standard steels that are harder but none as reactive.
Sciiiiieennnnccee
You know it!
@@JeremyY good video, thanks. Pronunciation of chemical names is a bit off, though.
I don’t need to worry about mine being stolen I just took it off myself🤷♂️🙂
[Roll Safe pointing at head meme]
@@JeremyY ima try to gut it I decapped my injectors took off the airbox and a exhaust delete to the cat and reset my af learn values it backfires every once and a while but idling it smells horrible so I suspect the cat or egr
@@JeremyY and I put a quarter in the egr pipe to the intake manifold it’s a good idea to clean the manifold from the carbon buildup and the intake holes on the block I get 80mpg sometimes cruising in the city and 55 mpg on in interstate I’m suprised cus I use more fuel but get better mpg
Lol, why did you do that? Did you sell it to the scrap yard?
@@heinzh5687 I got it so it doesn’t mess with the codes but I wanted it louder and it seems a lil faster I’m just a dude with a need for speed and a Prius cus I flipped my 09 fusion😢 and it’s being built my my bass head needs it gave off a weird smell with just that cat on so I went to take it off n found it it runs coolant through it so I had to rig something up to that cus it leaked all my coolant out
Presenting a product in a comedic way lowers the credibility.
OH NO
anyway
Your opinion is stupid. Keep up the idiocy Greg, it's working for you🤙
**LIMITED TIME 5% OFF DISCOUNT** when you buy a MillerCAT Cat Shield with the coupon code: JEREMYYING
Purchase link: catshield.com/?ref=cwfLZGRJOgZN2
Don't wait until yours gets stolen. Send those thieves RUNNING and protect yourself today.
Screw driver takes the bolts off and the shield is gone and with that shield those cats get hot can ruin the Prius battery
@@beedee9534 ???
@@xrpvegas5407 Frank giv me anuther dobbie
@@schoc13 Im 80 i cant bend down ass wipe stupid comment i seen that comment from another thief probably you
@@schoc13 In my days there were trying too steal 426 Hemis or Corvettes now im desperate for WEED CREAM for Arthritis