Going over board in Protecting my catalytic converter!!!!

I did a write up a few years ago about a cheap DIY steel mess grate. It worked great for 3 years no problem and no thefts.

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OK here is the write up for the Steel Expanded Metal Sheet under carriage. <br /><br />First buy Steel Expanded Metal Sheet at Home depot or metal scrap yard. <br />They usually come in 48"x120" sheet. <br />Here is the part list; <br />1. Steel Expanded Metal Sheet<br />2. 20x 3/4 inch self-drilling screws<br />3. 20x Fender Washer 3/16" x 1-1/4" <br />4. Tools Angle Grinder to cut Steel Metal Sheet<br />5. I used a Metal DC Wheel: 4" x 1/8" x 5/8" <br />6. 2x 1/2 inch bolts with nuts. <br /> <br /> <br /><br /><br />
So looking at other designs I noticed other people cut out the oval or 1/2 circle by the engine bay. <br />If you take a cardboard by 60" x 40" should be large enough to make a template to transcribe to the Steel expanded metal sheet. <br />There are two floor rails under the car. <br />The width of the floor rails from driver side to Passenger side is 37" inches wide.<br />From engine bay side of the rail is 47" inches to the center body support beam.<br />I cut square Metal Sheet 37" x 47" I used a metal grinder because these are the tools I had available.<br />If you have metal cutter that tool can be used to cut the Metal Sheet as well.<br />The rails by the engine bay is curved by 2 1/2 inches long which I made sure to bend my metal sheet to follow the body line. I drilled holes in the floor rails with 1/8" drill bit every 5-8 inches apart. These are start hole to make it easier once I used the self tapping screws. <br />I attached the bolts, washer and nut to the center support beam at the back of the floor rails check diagram for notes. <br />The car should be on Jack stand to allow easier access to under the car. <br />A second hand is good thing to help hold up the Metal Sheet against the body as you start to drill in the tapping screws with washers. 10x screws on each side should be enough to hold the metal grate sheet. <br /> <br /><br />Good Luck,<br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br />



PART 2 IN BEEF UP CATALYTIC!!


Recently Pri's in my neighborhood has been getting hit hard. They came by one night and stole 10 Prius Catalytic converters but not mine. They also tried 4 times to steal my neighbor Jeep catalytic converters in his driveway but was caught all 4 times and they fled every time.
So I decided to beef up my catalytic converter protection by welding steel bars to the pipe.
I also decided to paint my steel mess grate so it wouldn't rust away. Here are a few photos.

SM-A526U ?

 

The Steel grate been on for years. No noise or heat issues. I've been seeing people posting stolen cats even with a cat guard.
Cat Security&#x2122; 2010 - 2015 Prius,excludes Prius C and V

So I felt my grate wasn't up to par with the new crime wave for OEM Prius Catalytic converter. So I saw people welding metal bars and now I can sleep tight at night since my Prius is parked on the street all the time.
Took me 3 hours and $20 in parts.
Maybe people can learn from my DIY and keep their Cat safe.

SM-A526U ?

 

At that point my Insurance will cover the damage. It sucks because I have a $1000 deductible and my Prius worth about $2500. So hopefully my mods will get thieves to go for the next easy target down the street since my block has 15 Prius now.

SM-A526U ?

 

So far for under $75 in parts and 3.5 years and counting. My cat is a less an easy target over the 15 other Pri's on my block. Yes they can steal my cat with all the tools you mentioned and 30 mins no time flat. Knock on steel but my Cat is still around today. My low cost DIY solution can be implemented and help others Keep their Catalytic too. I have a whole bunch of worn out used carbide steel jigsaw blades that can be welded to the pipe and that would be a better solution. I would say that would wear out anyone jigsaw blades and suggest the next person to try that method.

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I live in California and they must be California approved stamped catalytic converter. They cost $2500 to replace here. They can only be purchased at dealerships. So those ebay $110 catalytic converters can only be purchased in 48 states. It's illegal to ship them here. I still have my OEM catalytic converter. The OEM catalytic high ticket item on the black market.

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