Skid plate that deters cat theft

After a fellow 4Runner friend had his catalytic converters stolen in broad daylight at work, I’ve been looking for ways to slow down or deter a would-be cat thief. After doing some digging, I found a fabricator in Texas that makes transmission skid plate that doubles as a cat security deterrent. Unlike the other products I checked out, the Talons Garage plate covers most of the common access areas cat thieves would use to steal your exhaust components. I have run RCI Metalworks skids for more than a year and they perform great off-road and were simple to install.

I was able to integrate the Talons ¼” Aluminum transmission skid with my existing RCI Engine and Transfer case skid seamlessly. Now I have some extra protection when I’m parked around town or in my driveway. Check them out if you are looking for a quality transmission skid plate that has the added bonus of protecting your catalytic converter from a thief.


RCI skid next to Talons Garage skid

Winglets deter access to a thief with a sawzall


Install finished in about 45 mins

 

Sub'd

 

Snickel Fritz - you bring up some great points - basically, protecting cats is not easy and there are a lot of factors to think about. Bottom line, if someone wants to cut out your catalytic converters bad enough and they have time, tools and knowledge to do so, there is not much to fully prevent it. However, there are ways to deter.
That said, I would not even consider methods to physically maim or harm the thief as you are on thin ice from a legal perspective.
As far as being about to cut aluminum easily with a sawzall, you are correct. But this would take extra time and effort, something the thieves typically don't want to invest in. They want easy targets to get in and out as fast a possible to avoid getting caught and to maximize the amount they can steal. Its a about slowing the bad guys down or frustrating them with extra work in hopes they give up. If you watch footage of someone cats getting cut out, its all about speed - they are in and out in 2-7 minutes, tops. If it takes 15, they might skip it.
I do think reinforcing skid plates is a smart way to add some protection - my thought was adding a piece of rebar or angle iron to the top-side of the plate (so it's not visible) to making cutting much harder/slower.
Other security devices, such as a CatClamp, might be a better way to go, but you have to weigh the cost, install and potential noise from rattling cables, etc. I also agree that anything that wraps around the cat can be problematic for trapping heat...you don't want to protect the cats from getting stolen only to burn them out quickly because of the excess temps.
Also, where you park has a lot to do with risk. If you park in the same spot, away from others and out of view, especially overnight, that gives someone more time and less of a chance of getting spotted.

 

Thanks for the review, I appreciate it!

 

Good write up, looks like a good product.

What a frustrating world we live in.

 

do you happen to have the install/instructions handy?

 

There are no instructions included for the Talons transmission skid, but it's very easy.

If you already have skid plates installed, you can just loosen the 2 front bolts about 3/4", remove the 4 rear bolts and pull the old transmission skid out. Slide the new skid plate in place in the front, under the engine skid and bolt up the rear with 4 bolts. I made the bolts very snug. I suppose you could use a dab of blue Loctite if you like.

The Talons package does include new bolts, but I re-used the RCI bolts since they were slightly longer.

A second set of hands helps, I used a floor jack to balance and lift the plate in position.

Here's the video I used to install my original skid (RCI) that is helpful for reference - https://youtu.be/0PPLISk8GF8

 

THANKS... I just sent in my order.

 

I finally got my instructions up!! Sorry for the delay.

https://f45180fd-2b3b-479c-8778-2f5...d/e80c86_077692a4319f432eb335f6a0b5097d68.pdf

 

I think I know who you are

 

yeah i'm the dumbass that ordered the wrong one. lucky you caught it!

 

I have sold very few of the 4th gen plates, that what alerted me.
I think the reasons are
1. Its only tested for the V8
2. It removed the transfer case cross brackets.
I want to go back and redesign it later, once I get a mockup again. Most likely I can adjust my 5th gen design to fit it.

 

OR people like me aren't paying attention and after comparing the Gen 5 and Gen 4, order whatever without paying attention. Again, thank you for catching that mistake.

 

Thanks for posting the instructions. I received my hardware last week and installed on my 2021 TRD Pro over the weekend. Installation was relatively easy when using a floor jack to help hold it up. Some adjustments here and there and got it done in about 90 minutes. It also helped that the parts are precision cut and the material is of high quality. I believe this is a great deterrent to CAT thieves. No problems with heat at all. Great product.

 

I'm glad it got to you well, and that you are happy with it!

Thank you again!

 

Installed on Friday. Peace of mind now. Simple install.

 

I would have no problem maiming or killing a thief who has no regard for my property or life. Criminals are the dregs of society and I get instant gratification and happiness every time I see a jack fail during a catalytic converter theft and one of them gets crushed. Someone who is stealing will not hesitate to kill a innocent victim that interrupts their crime. I'll take my chances in court with a jury of my peers.

And here is an example of how a thief reacts to getting caught:

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/sh...c-converter-theft/N5D2NSYWIBFBHN6KWVNASS2RNA/

 

Recently purchased a 2022 4Runner Limited and ordered the Talon's Garage Shield. It arrived just after Christmas and I was able to install it in under an hour during the break and everything fits perfectly. It's good to have some peace of mind with this deterrence.

I do see one potential hassle for future maintenance: The forward most u-joint on the propeller shaft is completely covered. Is anyone able to grease this u-joint without removing the shield?

 

Just installed this skid plate from Talon's garage and I really like the product.
Also some people who has the same skid plate uses the OEM bolts but I've replace them all
with security bolts that came with skid. Questions, should I stick with security bolts that came with or
use the OEM bolts? Also what's the torque spec do you prefer for security bolts and OEM bolts? Thanks.

 

I used the bolts that came with my skid plates since they are longer than both OEM and Talons. Needed the length because I have to go through 2 plates with full skids. I did use their security screws for the two wing pieces. That spot seems like the biggest deterrent for a cat thief, so I wanted it more secure

 

I went ahead and placed an order today with talons garage..

 

I've replaced all the OEM bolts to security bolts but I'm not sure the torque specs on it though.. Asked Shaun at Talon's garage and he said 12ft lbs but I personally think that might not be enough.. What was the torque spec you've used? Thanks.

 

It's a pretty nice product indeed.

 

22 ft/lbs is spec and what I’m torqued to.

 

Superb. Thanks a lot

 

As a recent victim of a cat theft, I will be buying and installing this product.

 

dang sorry man! def a legit product, you wont regret it..

 

That pic is why I installed full skids, before the meth heads got it. The off-road protection was secondary.

 

Man, I'm pissed and didn't even happen to me. Sorry it happened. And fuckyou to the jackass that did it.

 

Had mine on the tundra stolen about 2 month ago. ETA is 6 month to a year for oem catalytic converter. I bought a 4runner, first thing I did was install talon plates.