Catalytic converter protection: Auto Defender vs. Cat Shield?

Can you install Auto Defender or Cat Shield if you have Cusco brace?

 

Yes

 

What still hasn't been addressed, and what I would really like to hear from Millercat, is IF there were to be corrosion on the aluminum model, would it be the shield that would be sacrificial, i.e. would the shield be corroded before the frame.

I think this is true but presumably they've actually done the research.

 

can you tell me which shop did it for $40?? that’s a great deal. i’m actually looking to get a cage installed and hoping their prices are also affordable for that.

 

Does the shield come with instructions? Will the 2017 Prius V version require drilling? Has anyone put together clear DIY instructions with required tools, etc? Videos?

Edit: Just saw the video on the MillerCat site.

 

Not sure of this video has been posted. But here's a 3rd gen Prius cat being stolen. Gen 3 is harder to do because the 2 front bolts are hard to reach and requires 4 cuts, including the coolant lines. I believe this is in UK where the driver sits on the right. Notice only 2 tools were used, the last one being a reciprocating saw.

 

So, the guy just watched them do it? Someone was holding the camera...

Police say a man trying to steal a catalytic converter was crushed to death when the car fell on top of him - TheBlaze

 

in our society now and how things are flipped, owner of the car should be held liable and be charged for the thief’s death. He was trying to make some money and didn’t deserve this. Hopefully a go fund me account is set up for the thief’s surviving family.

 

It looks like somebody holding their phone over a CCTV monitor and recording it.

 

mmm You many be correct. I watched it again, and paid more attentiona and noticed
the date/time code at the top left...

 

Got it on. The stainless steel Miller cat shield. Did it myself. Drove front tires up ramps, put in jack stands, then jacked up each side at rear and left jacks in place and then added more jack stands. Rear wheel chocks, spare concrete block in place, wood pieces here and there. All that because I then slid under on my back with enough room for the 11" rivet nut tool and just enough for my drill with the 27/64 bit in it. Rubber mat and cardboard over firmly frozen stone driveway.

An easy task to do but old bones took their time. Several hours later, holes enlarged in front, holes drilled in rear, all of the threaded rivets set in place. Corrosion resistant spray applied to steel brushed framework. Miller sent adhesive backed foam strips for the front edge and had thick metal washer spacers for the rear bolts. Took this Gen 3 Prius for a drive and only a few times, accelerating, going around a curve and uphill did we hear a bit of a whine. Possibly the vent fins over the cat converter, but not enough to warrant revisiting the car's bottom.

Will probably sleep a bit firmer at night now. Added the two Cat stickers to the car to steer the wrong people toward some higher pursuit.

 

25/64 is correct bit dia. Not 27/64.

11" rivet nut tool works great for a gorilla. Had to use 2 hands on one arm, placing the other tool arm against my shoulder. Several squeezes were needed.

 

3/8 inch will work as the expanding end will fill the gap.

 

Looks like they were checking for a shield

 

Wonder if the UK Gen 3 Prius has all of the coolant that will leak out when the preheater lines are cut?

 

On second thought, these thieves have got to be real professionals.

They knew exactly where to cut to avoid the coolant preheater lines, unlike the crude amateurs who did the attempt in the Muffler Tech video.

To avoid informing would be thieves, I will not post any diagram showing how easy it is to steal a Gen 3 cat.

 

Do you have any suggestions for the stainless steel (millercat) version of the shield? Especially since its much harder to bend

 

I have the Auto Defender aluminum shield on mine. I used M6-1.0X30mm bolts on mine. On the two center front bolts, and all five rear bolts, I placed a round, chrome 1/2” diameter x 3/8” tall spacer between the plate and the underbody of the car. No resonance, and no issue with the plate rattling against the exhaust pipe. And the chrome spacer is going to be at least as hard to cut as the plate is.

 

Sheet stainless steel will bend just like aluminum.

 

What else could a Brit do about it? It isn't like their police care about this simple property crime. Or that their citizens have any rights or tools useful for attempting to accost or detain the thieves.

Filming the heist is about their only legal response.