3rd gen catalytic converter shield availability?

Hello, this is my first post on the forum. I sold my 2018 rubicon over the weekend, purchased a 3rd gen 4runner and I have to say that i’m happy with my decision thus far. With all the cat converter thieves on the prowl, how does everyone prevent theirs from being stolen? Pictures would be great. It seems like nobody makes a shield for the 3rd gens. Are the older 4runner cats not desirable enough to be stolen for a company to manufacture a shield for us? What is the most effective way to protect the cat without damaging it?

 

Welcome to the forum!

They're still desirable to thieves, they'll take what they can get in general, and 3rd 4runners cats are very easy to get to.

Despite this, nobody makes cat shields for third gens. This question has been asked before (including by me), and nobody ever has an answer, which leads me to believe that currently there are no products.

If you want to protect your cat, you will have to go with a Cat Clamp, it looks like 2 rings with a bunch of cables going through them. You put the cat in the middle of these cables, and loop a cable around a frame rail so that it can't be carried away. This is more of a generic solution, it's not made for any vehicle in mind, but I've seen posts of them on 3rd gen 4runners. The do work.

You could also ask a shop to weld you up something if you really want a shield. Just make sure it allows good air flow.

 

That’s unfortunate.. i’m currently looking for a shop in Orange County CA that’ll fabricate a cage or shield. Please send me a PM if anyone knows of a shop that does a clean job, i’m more than willing to fork the money over. I guess ill have to settle for the clamp, cables and spray paint until a solution is found.

 

If you get the cables, make sure they're tight. If loose, they'll rattle and drive you crazy.

 

I've seen guys use weldable rebar welded over to the cat. It doesn't seem like much but rebar is difficult to cut with a Sawzall and destroys blades quickly. Something like this

 

Sucks you're not around me; I'd happily fab up a cat converter shield for free just to use someone's vehicle as a test guinea pig.